Mitigation
The mitigation process exists to support you if you encounter unexpected circumstances that impact on your ability to prepare for or to sit an examination.
Mitigation - Waiver of capping of marks for Repeat examinations
This category applies to the following;
1. Students who due to mitigating circumstances could not attend first attempt scheduled end of semester examination(s) or who could not complete first attempt continuous assessment/assignment based modules.
2. Students who due to mitigating circumstances have failed to achieve a Pass standard in a module at the first examination/assessment attempt and consequently are required to repeat that examination/assessment. Note: 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) are finalised and released to apply to have the capping of marks waived for the Supplemental examination(s).
Note that with regard to the above an exception is made for those students who are marked Absent from a Semester 1 module. See FAQs further down the page for more information.
3. Students who have been granted a Waiver of capping of Marks for a Repeat examination/assessment who, due to mitigating circumstances, fail to achieve a pass standard in the repeat examination/assessment or were unable to present for the repeat examination/assessment.
4. Students who may need to apply for a retrospective waiver of capping relating to marks achieved in an examination/assessment in a previous academic year.
5. 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. If you are in this category of student and you wish to apply you must wait until your programme year results (S1 and S2) are finalised and released to apply to retake the module(s) concerned and for full marks.
Note that an application must be submitted within 2 weeks of the official results release date and regarding category 5 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.
A successful application for a waiver of capping will guarantee that the marks achieved at the Supplemental/Repeat year examination/assessment are NOT capped at Pass standard.
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
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 results. You can access the Semester 1 Waiver of capping of marks application form when it is available.
For results release dates see Semester 1 Results and scroll down.
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.
When can I apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks if I attempt a module and did not pass?
If there is a Fail or Present no work judgement for the Semester 1 and Semester 2 module(s) concerned 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.
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.
Semester 2 Result release dates will be published later in the Academic year.
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.
Who cannot apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks?
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.
Mitigation - Deferral of Module Examinations / Assessments
Who can apply to defer module examinations/assessments?
Students who encounter circumstances which impact on their ability to prepare for or complete the assessment of module(s) can apply to defer module(s) until the Autumn 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.(In this case, a Waiver of capping of Marks may be a possibility).
For information on mitigating circumstances/grounds, what you need to apply to defer and other relevant information see Mitigation – What to consider before applying.
When can I apply to defer module(s)?
The process to apply online is now open. Please note the deadline to defer modules examined in Semester 1 has passed.
If your application is successful your marks will not be capped 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 mitigation.
Please scroll down for further details including deferral deadline dates, supporting documentation etc. and to access the online application form if you wish to defer modules taught and examined in Semester 2 and 3.
Deferral Application Deadlines for 2024/25 Academic Year
Examination Period | Deferral Application Deadline |
---|---|
Winter 2024 examinations | Monday 18 November 2024 |
Spring 2025 examinations | Friday 14 February 2025 |
Final Medical examinations 2025 | Friday 4 April 2025 |
Summer 2025 examinations | Friday 4 April 2025 |
Autumn 2025 FIRST ATTEMPT examinations only (e.g Semester 3 modules) Note: This category does not apply to students registered to resit Winter, Spring or Summer modules |
Friday 4 July 2025 |
Dissertations (Taught Masters) Autumn 2025 | Friday 4 July 2025 |
Dissertations (Taught Masters) Winter Board 2025 | Friday 26 September 2025 |
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.
How can I apply to defer module(s)/examination(s)?
You can make a deferral application at Online Deferral application
Note:
- If you require a 'short' extension to an assignment/thesis, please contact your lecturer/supervisor to agree a revised date.
- Applications for a partial deferral will be considered in exceptional cases only.
- If you decide you wish to defer the entire academic year, please apply to the relevant College for a Leave of Absence.
- 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.