Difficulties with assessments

Do you need more time to submit your work? Find out more about getting an Extension to Deadline. Has something serious affected your ability to complete an assessment? You might be eligible for Additional Consideration.

Extension to Deadline

If you’re experiencing short-term difficulties close to a coursework deadline, you may be able to ask for an extension. An approved extension gives you extra time to complete your assignment without any penalty to your marks.  

Submitting work late without an approved extension may lead to a cap on your grade (40% for undergraduate students, 50% for postgraduate students), so it’s important to apply for the extension before the deadline. 

Types of extension  

There are two types of extensions available, depending on your situation.

Self-certification extension

  • Provides an extension of seven calendar days
  • This is only available once per semester
  • No need to give a reason or submit evidence
  • Must be requested at least 48 hours before the deadline
  • Available for a wide range of circumstances, including caring responsibilities or wellbeing issues
  • Not available for group work or CPD modules

Standard extension

  • Provides an extension of seven calendar days
  • Requires supporting documentation
  • Must be requested at least 48 hours before the deadline
  • Available for a wide range of circumstances, including caring responsibilities or wellbeing issues

How to apply

All extension requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before the published deadline.

  1. Download the extension request form to your desktop or laptop (it won’t work on a phone or tablet).
  2. Complete the form and save it to your device.
  3. Email the completed form (and any required documentation) to your School Administration Office.

If you have a Learning Support Plan (LSP) and need help with the process or any adjustments, speak to the Disability and Learning Support Team.

Who can help

If you’re not sure which extension type applies to you, or you want to talk it through, you can speak with:

Further information

Additional Consideration

If something unexpected affects your ability to take exams, submit coursework or do your best in assessments, you might be able to apply for Additional Consideration.

This process allows the university to take your circumstances into account when reviewing your academic performance. There are two routes: self-certification (for short-term non-attendance and time-bound assessment issues) and a full request (for more complex or longer-term difficulties).

Where to get help

If you’re unsure what to do, support is available.

Self-certification

You can self-certify once per semester if you have missed a time-bound assessment (like an exam, presentation, OSCE or viva) due to short-term circumstances lasting up to seven days.

Key things to know

  • Self-certification is not available for coursework or attendance issues.
  • You don’t need to provide any supporting evidence.
  • You must submit your self-certification within seven calendar days of the last affected assessment.
  • You can include all assessments missed during the seven-day window.
  • Self-certify by using the Online Self-Certification Form.

Full request

A full request can be submitted if you:

  • didn’t hand in coursework or handed it in late
  • were absent from a time-bound assessment
  • completed an assessment but believe your performance was negatively affected.

This applies to issues that:

  • don’t qualify for self-certification
  • lasted longer than seven days
  • occurred during any type of summative assessment.

Deadlines to apply 

  • Most students have 14 calendar days after the last affected assessment or submission deadline.
  • BSMS undergraduate medical students have seven calendar days.
  • Late requests must include a valid reason for the delay.

How to submit a full request

  1. Read the student guidance on Additional Consideration.
  2. Download and complete the application form on a desktop or laptop (the form won’t work on phones or tablets).
  3. Save the completed form to your computer.
  4. Email the form and supporting documents to additionalconsideration@brighton.ac.uk within the relevant deadline.

If you have a Learning Support Plan (LSP) and need help with the process, let the Disability and Learning Support Team know.

What happens next? 

  • Your request will be reviewed by an initial assessor or passed to the Additional Consideration Sub-Committee if it’s more complex.
  • If successful, your Course Examination Board will decide how to implement the upheld Additional Consideration.
  • If your request is not successful, you will receive details about how to submit an Outcome Review.

Upcoming Sub-Committee meeting dates include:

  • 2025 – 6 November, 19 November, 16 December
  • 2026 – 15 January, 28 January, 12 February