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Extenuating Circumstances

This page provides information on the University’s policy and procedure on extenuating circumstances.  If you have any questions which are not covered below then please contact us.

Extenuating Circumstances Application and related documentation

To submit an application for extenuating circumstances go to Academic Support Office Application Form and choose ‘Make a claim for extenuating circumstances’.

Please remember that in addition to completing the online form, we will ask you to provide evidence in support of your application.

Section F of the 2025-26 Student Regulations and Procedures

Contact details for further advice or support:

What are extenuating circumstances?

Extenuating circumstances are circumstances which

  • are exceptional and unforeseen;
  • took place while or shortly before you were completing work for a specific assignment at the University; and
  • prevented you from completing this work to the standard expected.

Please remember, though, that the University expects students to be able to manage their time or workload throughout the duration of their studies.

We expect that students are able to cope with events which are part of everyday life, for example, short periods of illness, alongside their studies.

Please see also our Late Submission Policy for information on submitting work after the published deadline.

Please see the 2025-26 Extenuating Circumstances Regulations for information about the sorts of circumstances that we are likely and not likely to accept.

If you are not sure whether you are able to apply for extenuating circumstances, please contact the Academic Support Office.

An upheld extenuating circumstances claim allows the relevant Assessment and/or Award Board to make certain decisions where you have failed a unit; for example, repeating a period of study.

If we uphold your extenuating circumstances claim, we will also remove any marks deduction that would otherwise have applied because you handed in work in line with the Late Submission Policy.

Please note that upheld extenuating circumstances will not give you extra marks when your work is assessed.

For examples of the decisions that can be taken by the relevant Boards please see paragraphs 7.1-7.5 of the 2025-26 Extenuating Circumstances Regulations.

How do I apply for extenuating circumstances?

In order to submit a claim for extenuating circumstances you must provide:

  • a fully completed form via OurNorwichUni; AND
  • a covering letter written by you; AND
  • some independent supporting evidence.

You will need to submit your application before the deadlines set out below.

When should I make my application and is there a deadline for applications?

You should submit your application as close as possible to the time the circumstances took place, and ideally within 10 working days of the assessment submission deadline for the unit you are claiming for.

If you are unable to submit your application within this time period, claims will be accepted until the final deadlines outlined below.

Undergraduate and MArch

  • Final Deadline for 2025-26 EC Applications: 12 noon on Thursday 23 April 2026
  • Deadline for 2025-26 Resubmission EC Applications: 12 noon on Wednesday 22 July 2026

Postgraduate Taught

  • Deadline for Extenuating Circumstances Applications for Teaching Blocks 1 and 2: 12 noon on Thursday 23 April 2026
  • Deadline for Extenuating Circumstances Applications for Teaching Block 3: 12 noon on Wednesday 22 July 2026

Postgraduate students who are given a Resubmission opportunity at the MA Assessment and Award Board in September 2025 should contact the Academic Support Office for advice on the deadlines for applications for Extenuating Circumstances relating to their resubmission.

Important: Applications received after the published deadlines will not be accepted unless there are exceptional reasons are given for not submitting a claim on time.

Where can I go for help or advice if I’m experiencing difficulties?

Important: Applications received after the published deadlines will not be accepted unless there are exceptional reasons are given for not submitting a claim on time.

Where can I go for help or advice if I’m experiencing difficulties?

If you need help or advice, you should speak with any, or all of the following, as appropriate:

For further information about extenuating circumstances please see Section F of the 2025-26 Student Regulations and Procedures