While it is normal for a student to experience 'ups and downs' during their studies, the Mitigation process exists to support those who encounter more difficult circumstances that impact on their ability to engage with their studies and to prepare for or to sit an examination. The term 'examination' includes continuous assessment e.g in-class tests, assignments, formal written examinations i.e end of Semester written examinations and other forms of assessment.

Taught modules have a supplemental/resit opportunity. A student marked absent from an end of Semester examination or who does not pass the module will be registered by the Student Records and Examinations office for the Supplemental opportunity. If registered for the supplemental/resit of the module the marks achieved will be capped at the minimum pass mark for that module.

For information about how a module is assessed for the Supplemental opportunity see the Book of Modules

A student who has encountered more difficult circumstances impacting on their capacity to engage with their studies can apply for a Deferral to a Supplemental opportunity in advance of examination(s)/assessments or if the student does not pass a module at the first attempt a Waiver of capping of marks can be applied for when results have been released.

If a deferral or a waiver of capping application is successful the student will not be capped at the minimum pass mark for the supplemental/resit opportunity. 

This year the Autumn supplemental/resit examinations will take place between the 31st July and the 14th August 2026.

The student can also apply to defer to the next academic year.

Mitigation - Deferral of Module Examinations / Assessments

If the student has mitigating circumstances an application to defer module examination(s)/assessment can be made in advance of the examination(s)/assessment taking place . An application should be submitted by the relevant deadline(s). For deadline dates scroll down.

For information on mitigating circumstances/grounds, what you need to apply to defer and other relevant information see Mitigation – What to consider before applying.

FAQS

Who can apply to defer module examinations/assessments?

Students who encounter circumstances which impact on their ability to prepare for or complete assessment of module(s) can apply to defer until the Supplemental Examination session or a Repeat Year.

A successful deferral application will guarantee that the marks achieved at the Supplemental/Repeat year examination(s) are NOT capped at pass standard.

Who cannot apply to defer module examinations?

A student repeating a module and therefore not eligible for full marks.

A student repeating a module and who is found to have breached examination regulations for that particular module is not eligible to apply to defer the module concerned for uncapped marks.

A student cannot normally apply to defer a module where the deadline for submission of work for an assessment has passed or where the examination date has passed.

When can I apply to defer?

If you are registered for the 2025/26 academic year and are considering or have decided to apply to defer please make a web enquiry here selecting Examinations, Mitigation - Module/Examination Deferrals Query, giving the module code(s) and a brief explanation as to why you are requesting a deferral.  Please note that all information provided will be treated confidentially.

If you make an application and it is successful your marks will not be capped in the Supplemental examination session at the minimum pass mark for your programme. Ordinarily, any student who has to take a Repeat/Supplemental examination is capped at the minimum pass mark for the module unless the student is granted a deferral by the Mitigation committee.

Please scroll down for further details including deferral deadline dates, supporting documentation etc. if you considering applying to defer.

Deferral Application Deadlines for 2025/26 Academic Year

How can I apply to defer module(s)/examination(s)?

The online deferral application form is currently unavailable. If you are registered for the 2025/26 academic year and have decided to apply to defer please make a web enquiry here selecting Examinations, Mitigation - Module/Examination Deferrals Query, giving the module code(s) and a brief explanation as to why you are requesting a deferral.  Please note that all information provided will be treated confidentially. If you meet the criteria to make an application we will send you an application form.

If you have an enquiry about deferring please make a web enquiry here selecting Examinations, Mitigation - Module/Examination Deferrals Query, giving the module code(s) and a brief explanation as to why you are requesting a deferral.

Please note that all information provided will be treated confidentially.

 Note: 

• Mitigation applications will be processed as quickly as possible and we will aim to communicate the outcome of your application to you no later than 15 working days following submission of your application.
• If you require a 'short' extension to an assignment/thesis, please contact your lecturer/supervisor to agree a revised date.

• If you decide you wish to defer the entire academic year and you have not submitted any assignments or sat exams, please apply to the relevant College for a Leave of Absence.

Mitigation - Waiver of capping of marks for Repeat examinations

Students registered for the 2025/26 academic year and eligible to apply for a Waiver of capping of marks are detailed as follows;

1. Students who due to mitigating circumstances fail to achieve a Pass standard in a module at the first examination/assessment attempt in the 2025/26 Academic year and consequently are required to repeat that examination/assessment.  If you are in this category of student and you wish to apply you must wait until all of your programme year results (S1 and S2 and S3 if applicable) are finalised and released to apply to have the capping of marks waived for the Supplemental examination(s). Finalised results will be released in Summer 2026.

Note: Students who are marked Absent from the Semester 1 (Winter 2025) examinations can make an application for a waiver of capping early in February 2026. See FAQs below.

2. Students who have already been granted a Waiver of capping of Marks for a Repeat examination/assessment in the previous Academic year 2024/25 and who due to mitigating circumstances failed to achieve a pass standard in the repeat examination/assessment or were unable to present for that Repeat examination/assessment.

3. Repeat Students registered for the 2025/26 Academic year and who had mitigating circumstances for previous attempts at modules which require repeating can apply for a waiver of capping of marks for these modules.

4. Students who believe that their first attempt examination/assessment performance was negatively impacted upon by mitigating circumstances and wish to forego the pass mark achieved and retake the examination/assessment for full marks at the Supplemental examination. Note that the student has one opportunity to apply i.e the student cannot apply in a subsequent academic year. Note that if you are in this category of student and you wish to apply you must wait until your programme year results (S1 and S2 and S3 if applicable) are finalised and released to apply to retake the module(s) concerned for full marks.

For students in categories 1 and 4, an application must be submitted within 2 weeks of the official results release date and regarding students in category 4 the mark you receive for the module you retake for uncapped marks is the mark that will be used to calculate your overall grade for the year, regardless of whether it is higher or lower than the mark already achieved. You must tick the associated box in the online application form to confirm you understand this. Otherwise your application will not be considered.

Students in categories 2 and 3 can email the SREO presently at sreo@ucc.ie to make an enquiry regarding making an application.

For information on mitigating circumstances/grounds, what you need to apply for a waiver of capping and other relevant information see Mitigation – What to consider before applying

A successful application for a waiver of capping of marks will guarantee that the marks achieved at the Supplemental/Repeat year examination/assessment are NOT capped at Pass standard.

FAQs 

Can I apply for a Waiver of capping of marks after my Semester 1 results are released?

Provided there is an Absent judgement for the Semester 1 module(s) concerned you can make an application in the 2 week period following release of your Semester 1 results. Semester 1 results will be released in January 2026. However, if you are marked Absent from a Semester 1 module and you miss the window to apply for cap waiver after your results are released you can make an application when the Summer results are released. See next question.

When can I apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks if I was absent from a scheduled exam, missed elements of assessment or attempted a module and did not pass?

If you have not passed a module you need to wait until your Semester 2 results are released to apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks for a Supplemental/Repeat examination. Semester 2 results will be released during Summer 2026.

An online application form will be available to you for a 2 week period directly after your Semester 2 examination results have been finalised and released. Please note that when the 2 weeks have elapsed you will be unable to submit an application.

How do I access my results?

To access your results open My Student Admin Click on Examinations, Exam Results and click on the relevant Qualification code which will bring you to your results.

How long does it take for a Waiver of Capping of Marks application to be processed?

We ask the applicant to allow 3 calendar weeks on submission of a complete application before a decision is communicated to the applicant.

Please note the following:

Students sanctioned for a breach of examination regulations in respect of a particular module are not eligible for a waiver of capping for that module.