Extensions explained

An extension is a process where you receive additional time to complete your coursework. An extension for a coursework submission can be up to a maximum of seven calendar days following the deadline.

Schools may choose not to permit extensions on particular components of an assessment or may allow less than the full seven days. You can still apply for special circumstances for these components. 

If you are unsure if the assessment you wish to apply for permits extensions, please contact your course administrator.

Find out more about special circumstances

Reasons for coursework extensions are unexpected short-term circumstances that are exceptional and beyond your control, and which may have an adverse impact on your ability to complete the assessment on time.

Some examples include (but are not limited to):

• Recent short-term physical illness or injury;
• Recent short-term mental ill-health;
• A long-term or chronic physical health condition, which has recently worsened temporarily or permanently;
• A long-term or chronic mental health condition, which has recently worsened temporarily or permanently;
• The recent death or serious illness of a person with whom the student has a close relationship;
• The recent breakdown in a long-term relationship, such as a marriage;
• Emergencies involving dependents;
• Job or internship interview at short notice that requires significant time, e.g. due to travel;
• Victim of a crime which is likely to have significant emotional impact;
• Military conflict, natural disaster, or extreme weather conditions;
• Experience of sexual harassment or assault;
• Experience of other forms of harassment;
• Exceptional and significant change in employment commitments, where this is beyond the student’s control;
• Exceptional (i.e. non-routine) caring responsibilities.

Covid-19 (for academic year 2020/21)

We have removed barriers from students accessing extra time to complete coursework assessments.

• All students are now guaranteed an extension if they apply before the deadline and the assessment permits extensions (i.e. you do not need to demonstrate a valid reason). In the 'Notifying us' section,  you can state 'I would like an extension as part of fair assessment.' 
• Where an extension of fewer than 7 days is normally the maximum permitted, you are guaranteed the maximum amount of time. 
• If you require an extension of longer than 7 days, you can apply through the Special Circumstances process, where one of the outcomes applied can be the waiving of late penalties.
• Some Schools have already amended deadlines for coursework or dissertations, or offered blanket extensions to all students; we have encouraged all Schools to consider where they may be able to do this, while also ensuring students receive timely feedback on assessment.

You should submit an extension application if you have experienced a significant adverse impact on your performance in assessment due to circumstances such as those listed below:

• You have been or are ill with Covid-19;
• You have experienced the exacerbation of an existing health condition due to the pandemic situation;
• You have experienced the death or serious illness of someone close to you;
• You have taken on exceptional caring responsibilities due to Covid-19;
• You have been required to carry out more paid work than usual, as a “key worker” (e.g. in healthcare, retail, delivery);
• You have experienced significant and prolonged problems with access to teaching and learning materials, e.g. due to connectivity, power, or equipment issues;
• You have experienced catastrophic technical failure preventing submission of an online assessment by the relevant deadline;
• You have experienced prolonged exposure to a difficult/challenging home environment;
• Experienced severe financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic;
• Experienced lack of access to library resources where there are no viable alternatives.

Taught Assessment Regulations

Assessment: a package of measures to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus

You can submit an application for an extension via MyEd.

• Notifying us of the situation: If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for an extension or special circumstances, you can notify us by completing the first steps of the application process and we will confirm your eligibility. You will need to tell us what happened and when did it occur.
• Complete Application: You can then move on to selecting your assessments and submit.  You do not need to wait for our response to complete the application— you can move onto the next steps at any time.​​​​​​ Please make sure you complete step two of the application. The revised due date on the course selection screen is informational only. You must submit your selection before any official due date can be given.

You can apply for a single coursework extension or select several assignments across different courses, all in one application. You can submit several applications throughout the academic year if needed.

The ESC Team will share information about your situation with the relevant school staff, if they feel it is necessary, to ensure you receive support.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please get in touch using the webform.

I can’t see my assessment on the system

If the assessment you wish to apply for has the incorrect deadline or is missing from the system, please contact your School/course administrator.

What should I do if Covid-19 affects my ability to complete an assessment?

You should contact your School as early as possible to let them know about your circumstances and how they are affecting your assessments. In many cases, it may be possible to offer an extension to deadlines, or take other steps to help mitigate the impact on your performance. Where this is not possible, or your performance in assessment has still been significantly affected, we would encourage you to use the special circumstances process to tell us about this.

• You can apply for a 7-day extension to a deadline for coursework, which will be approved automatically (i.e. you do not need to demonstrate a valid reason);
• Where an extension of less than 7 days is normally the maximum permitted, this will be approved automatically; some assessments (e.g. for weekly assessments) do not allow extensions;
• If you require an extension of longer than 7 days, you can apply through the special circumstances process.

Apply for an extension

How to apply

Find out more about special circumstances

Report a technical issue (secured)

Please note: accessing a learning adjustment has not changed with the introduction of the new online system. Any learning adjustment requests received through the online system will not be accepted and you will be redirected to the online form.

If you are entitled to extra time on submissions, you can request this through the ESC team through a web form.

If you are experiencing an unexpected, exceptional circumstance that is beyond your control, you may access your learning adjustment and apply for an extension. You will need to access your extra time through the web form, and apply for the extension through the ESC system.

Learning adjustments explained

Access your learning adjustment

You should discuss your situation with your Student Support Team or Personal Tutor (PT) in your School. They will be able to advise you on your individual circumstance, and to ensure that you are being supported effectively in the future. 

Contact your local Student Support Team

We also have services within the University that will be able to help you:

If the situation is urgent, or the university is closed:

No evidence is required for extension requests. All you need to provide is a statement telling us about what happened and when did it occur.

If you are also thinking of applying for special circumstances, you will need to provide evidence.

Find out more about special circumstances

Applications submitted after your assignment deadlines will not be considered.

If you missed the deadline for applying for an extension because of exceptional circumstances, you can apply for special circumstances.

Find out more about special circumstances 

After submitting a complete application for an extension, we will provide an outcome within two working days that can be viewed within the system.

•  If your extension request is approved: We will let you know and for how many days you have an extension.
• If your extension request is not approved: You must submit your assessment to the original deadline. Any assessment submitted following this date will incur a late penalty.

The ESC Team will share information about your situation with the relevant school staff,  if they feel it is necessary, to ensure you receive support.

Managing your application

If you have any questions please visit our frequently asked questions section. If you still require help, please get in touch by email. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the Extensions & Special Circumstances Team