Mitigating Circumstances

Mitigating Circumstances (MCs) are serious, unforeseen, unpreventable circumstances that significantly affect your academic performance in any exams or coursework for example: serious illness or bereavement.

If, due to serious circumstances beyond your control, you are unable to submit your coursework, submit your coursework late (within 10 working days of the submission deadline) or are unable to attend an exam, you will need to submit a claim for Mitigating Circumstances (MCs).

How to claim Mitigating Circumstances

- To submit a claim for mitigating circumstances you need to fill in the Mitigating Circumstances Claim Form. The form is available from your School Registry Office or from the University’s website by clicking here.

- You will need to provide original, independent evidence (e.g. medical certificate from your GP if you are claiming illness) with your form to support your claim.

- Once you have completed the form and have the evidence you can then hand it in to your Registry Office. It’s a good idea to make copies of your form and the evidence for your own reference.

Mitigating Circumstances claims should be submitted as soon as possible and normally within one month of the circumstances occurring. The Mitigating Circumstances Board’s decision regarding your claim will normally be emailed to you within five working days, so submitting your claim sooner rather than later will enable you to plan your studies based on the outcome.

Further information about submitting an MC Claim Form can be found by clicking here, and in Section 11 of the Handbook of Academic Regulations here.

Alternatively you can get help from the Students’ Union advice service for further information on how to submit a claim.

NB: It is a good idea to make a photocopy of your evidence and your Mitigating Circumstances Claim Form for your records.