Dive in to the detail with our support guides.
Understanding Exceptional Circumstances
Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) are unforeseen events, like illness or bereavement, that can affect how you engage with your studies or approach assignments. In these situations, you may require additional support from the University.
If you are struggling, you must let the University know as soon as possible; contact your Student Support Adviser or academic support team via Hallam Help.
If your circumstances impact your mental health and wellbeing, explore the wellbeing and study support available to you.
You can also contact us at SU Advice for free, impartial advice.
If you can't hand in work or complete an exam:
- Stay in touch with your Student Support Adviser.
- Collect as much evidence as you can about your circumstances; contact us at SU Advice if you are unsure about this.
- Read the University's Extensions and Exceptional Circumstances Policy and Procedure and, if necessary, complete one of the processes outlined within the relevant timeframe.
- International students should also seek advice from the University's International Experience Team as submitting ECs, or requesting an extension, may impact your visa and future plans.
Please note: there are specific assessment support provisions for students with Learning Contracts and Student Carers.
Extensions - Short-term issues
If you have an unexpected situation that you think will be resolved quickly (such as a short-term illness), but which means you can't hand in a piece of work by the deadline, you can apply for an extension to your submission deadline.
An extension gives you an additional 5 working days after your deadline to submit or complete your work.
There are exceptions where a student may be granted a longer extension; read the University's Extensions and Exceptional Circumstances Policy for more information.
You can have up to four extensions within an academic year without providing any evidence. If you need more than four extensions, you should follow the guidance for submitting exceptional circumstances.
How do I apply for an extension?
You can request an extension through your My Student Record account. Find out how to apply.
Extensions can be requested from up to 10 working days before your deadline, and up to 24 hours after your deadline.
If you are unsure what you need to do to apply for an extension, contact us at SU Advice.
Exceptional Circumstances - Medium-term issues
Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) are when your ability to work on your assessments has been negatively affected by situations beyond your control. In these cases, you can apply for these circumstances to be considered and, if approved, you will be given another opportunity at assessment.
Exceptional Circumstances can cover a range of issues including significant physical or mental health issues, severe financial difficulty, or bereavement.
You can find more examples of what the University considers exceptional circumstances in their Examples of Exceptional Circumstances guidance.
When should I apply for consideration of Exceptional Circumstances?
- If you are struggling with longer term difficulties that a short extension wouldn't help with.
- If an extension is not appropriate.
- If your exceptional circumstances affect an exam.
Please note: The ECs process is there to provide for unexpected and uncontrollable situations. The process is not there for recurring difficulties or routine life events; it is meant to cover exceptional circumstances.
How do I submit an Exceptional Circumstances request?
You should complete the online request form in My Student Record.
If you are unable to submit the request through My Student Record, contact your Student Support Adviser or Hallam Help to ask to be sent a copy of the EC1 form that you can complete and submit instead - we can also send you a copy if you contact us at SU Advice.
All requests must be submitted within 5 working days of the deadline/exam date, along with the evidence to support your request.
If you do not submit your EC request within this 5 day period, you may still be able to submit the request late as long as you can explain why the request could not be submitted on time, and provide evidence to support the delay.
For more information, read the University's guidance on Submitting Exceptional Circumstances Requests.
Information on the types of evidence they accept can also be found in their Evidence to Support Extensions and Exceptional Circumstances Requests guidance.
If your Exceptional Circumstances request is declined, you have the option to appeal the decision.
Learning Contracts & Break in Study - Long-term issues
If you have a long-term health problem or disability that is impacting your studies, you may wish to get a Learning Contract to ensure you have appropriate study support. If you need help with applying for a Learning Contract, contact the University's Disabled Student Support Team.
If you need time out from your course because of a health problem, maternity, or personal situation, a break in study can be agreed. Contact us at SU Advice to discuss possible implications of a break in study, e.g. the impact on your funding and benefits entitlement, housing, and visa (if applicable). You will also need to speak with your Student Support Adviser.
Depending on your deadlines and our availability, we may be able to read and provide feedback on drafts of requests and evidence you plan to submit.
Given the short timescales and deadlines involved, please contact us at SU Advice as soon as possible if you need support.
Failed some work or need to repeat some of your studies? Read our guidance on failing part of your course to understand your options and decide what to do next.