Extenuating Circumstances

Sometimes, you might face circumstances in your life which get in the way of your ability to study to the best of your usual ability, or to submit work on time. We can help you make sure that your results are not unduly affected. 

In order to do this, you will need to apply for extenuating circumstances. You can apply for extenuating circumstances if you have encounted any significant personal difficulty that affects your ability to study or complete coursework, assessments and exams. 

You must make sure to submit your extenuating circumstances paperwork within 10 working days of the assignment deadline or examination, and you must submit your evidence no later than 10 working days after submission of the application.

You can find the code of practice for ECs on UCB’s Policy page.

Reasons for Extenuating Circumstances

You can apply for ECs if, for example:

• You’ve experienced significant or serious instances of physical or mental illness, accident, or injury
• You’ve experienced a worsening of permanent or chronic condition
• You’ve experienced the recent death of a close family member, a close friend or dependant
• You’ve experienced family crisis or emergency
• You’ve taken time off for Maternity or Paternity Leave, Shared Parental Leave
• You’ve had to complete Jury Service
• You’re experienced exceptional and unforeseen financial hardship
• You’re experienced Bullying, harassment or threatening behaviour
• You’re experienced significant change in employment circumstances beyond the control of the student (Part-time students only)

If you are waiting for the evidence and are worried it will not arrive in time before the extenuating circumstances deadline, you should still apply for extenuating circumstances, but highlight that you are still waiting evidence and report when it’s likely to arrive.

Evidence

You must normally provide some evidence to accompany your EC application. Examples of evidence include (but are not limited to): 

• GP/Consultant/Hospital letter on headed paper
• Letter from a Solicitor
• Letter from a Counsellor or other authority
• Death Certificate or copy of an order of service
• Bank Statement or letter from the Student Loans Company 
• Court Letter
• Police Case Reference number and report

You can find more information on the types of evidence in the full extenuating circumstances document at the bottom of this page.

If you are unsure of anything in relation to your claim, contact University College Birmingham Registry via e-mail at Extenuating@ucb.ac.uk . 

Possible Outcomes

If your application is accepted, you may:

• Be permitted to submit the assignment late, within 10 working days after the original due date 
• Have the late penalty removed from late submissions
• Be granted a new submission date for a Dissertation or Research project
• Be granted to sit the examination as a first attempt at the next available opportunity 
• Be granted an additional resit