Mitigation

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 opportunity the marks achieved will be capped at the minimum pass mark for that module unless the student is granted mitigation.

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

Students can apply for mitigation through one of the following processes;

A student who has encountered more difficult circumstances impacting on their capacity to engage with their studies and feels they cannot complete module(s) during the academic year e.g will be unable to do the end of Semester written examinations can apply for a Deferral to the Supplemental opportunity in advance of/during the examination(s)

or

If a student had mitigating circumstances during the academic year and did not attempt/attempted module(s) at the first attempt and does not pass, a Waiver of capping of marks can be applied for when the Summer results have been released.

In brief, a student can engage with the Mitigation process by applying to defer in advance of/during scheduled examinations or applying for a waiver of capping of marks after results are released. Please note the student does not need to apply for both.

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 30th July and the 13th August 2027.

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. 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 modules?

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

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

A student who has completed the entire assessment of a module.

A student who took the formal written end of semester examination for a module cannot apply to defer that module.

When can I apply to defer?

If you are registered for the 2026/27 academic year and are considering applying to defer please use the Web enquiry form selecting Examinations, Mitigation - Module/Examination Deferrals Query, giving the module code(s) and a brief explanation as to why you wish to make a deferral application.  

Please scroll down for further details including deferral application deadline dates, supporting documentation etc...

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

To make an application access Deferral application

Please note the online application form is not yet live for the 26/27 Academic year.

I missed the deadline to apply to defer. Does this mean I cannot apply for mitigation?

If you missed the opportunity to apply to defer you can still apply for mitigation by applying for a waiver of capping of marks post results release. For further information re applying see Waiver of capping of marks

Deferral Application Deadlines for 2026/27 Academic Year

 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 2026/27 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 their first attempt in the 2026/27 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/S3) 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: There is one exception to the above. Students who are marked Absent from the Semester 1 (Winter 2026) 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 2025/26 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 2026/27 Academic year and who had mitigating circumstances for previous attempts at modules which require repeating can apply for a waiver of capping of marks.

4. Students who believe that their first attempt at a module was negatively impacted by mitigating circumstances and wish to forego the pass mark achieved and retake the module(s) concerned 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 i.e you were unable to attend a scheduled written examination you can make an application in the 2 week period following release of your Semester 1 results.  This is the only condition where a student can apply post Semester 1 results release.

Semester 1 results will be released in January/February 2027. Please be advised if you miss that 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 do not pass a module?

If you need to repeat a module you must wait until your Semester 2 results are released to apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks for the Supplemental/Repeat examination. There is a 2 week window beginning on the official results release date for your programme year to make an online application. To see when your Semester 2 results will be released access Summer results

If your results have been released and you wish to apply for a waiver of capping of marks to be uncapped for the Autumn supplemental examinations you can make an application at Application for a waiver of capping of marks 

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.