deferral of examinations - a guide for students

Deferral of Examinations - A Guide for Students (includes application form)

It is recognised that circumstances may arise which will lead to a student wishing to defer some of his/her assessments and/or formal examinations during the academic year.  Please be assured that whatever the circumstances are there is a network of support within the University in Student Services, the Colleges and Schools, Academic Administration and the Student’s Union which you should avail of. This guide is to assist you with the process should you need to apply for a deferral of an examination.

• Application Form for Deferral of Examinations and Other Forms of Assessment
  
  
• This form should be completed if you are aware that you will be unable to sit an examination due to an ongoing illness, family bereavement or other, independently vouched, personal circumstances, which affect your ability to take or properly engage your examinations and which are outside your own control.  This form must be completed before the examination for which you are requesting a deferral takes place. It should not be completed after the examination for which you are requesting a deferral takes place. Results of examinations taken will not be altered in retrospect owing to an illness which was already present at the time the examination was taken. 
  
  
• All sections on the form must be completed and all applications must be accompanied by supporting documentation.  Examples of supporting documentation include:
  
  • Illness: In the case of any illness, or accident, a medical certificate is required from a registered Medical Practitioner.  This certificate should be on letterhead paper and should be legible, stamped and dated.  It should cover the appropriate date(s) of the examination period.
  • Family Bereavement: In the case of a family bereavement which occurs at  exam time, a copy of the death notice is required.
  • Consulted a Counsellor: A letter from a registered Psychologist or Counsellor is required.  This note should be on letterhead paper and should be legible, stamped and dated.
  • Recent diagnosis of disability (eg dyslexia): A signed copy of both the Psychologist’s report and the LENS statement from the Disability Officer should be attached.
    
    
• Your application will be treated as strictly confidential.
  
  
• You are required to contact the relevant Office as indicated in your programme handbook to discuss your application to defer. This may be the College Office, your personal tutor, School Office or the office otherwise administering your academic programme. A Deferral is granted by the College or the designated units within the College such as the School, the Student Affairs Committee or other such system  and not by the Examinations Office. Your programme handbook will explicitly advise on the process which applies to you.
  
  
• New Certification to support a deferral request is required with each new application.
  
  
• The deferral application form should be submitted directly to the Office indicated above.  The application must, except in exceptional circumstances, be submitted at least one week prior to the examination or assessment for which a deferral is sought. Some situations such as pregnancy or birth may permit deferral notification earlier in the academic year. 
  
  
• When your request has been processed you will receive an email informing you of the outcome of the request for the deferral. All decisions are final. 
  
  
• Deferral is granted only serious in circumstances which are outside your control, for example a family bereavement which occurs at exam time. 
  
  
• Some examples presented as reasons for seeking a deferral that will not be accepted:
  
  • I /my family /my friends have planned /booked a holiday”
  • “My brother /sister /friend / is getting married”
  • “I am not ready to take these examinations yet”
  • “I have not studied/prepared enough”
  • “I am working and cannot study/prepare for my examinations.”
  • “My level of English is not sufficient to take the examination.
  
  

Note: Deferring an Academic Year is a separate process and a request for leave of absence should be discussed with the same Office as set out above and in your programme handbook. 

Note for Non-EU/Non-EEA Students

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility