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;

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.

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.

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 or were unable to present for examination at that repeat sitting.

Students who may also need to apply for a retrospective waiver of capping relating to marks achieved in an examination/assessment in a previous academic year.

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 examnation. If you are in this category of student, you can apply to retake the module(s) concerned and have the capping of marks waived for the Supplemental examination(s) in the 2 week period after your final results for examinations for your academic year have been released. This is when Semester 2 (Spring/Summer) results are released. 

Be advised that 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.

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.

Note that in general, a Repeat Year student cannot apply for a waiver of capping of marks. However, a student in this category may be able to apply for a waiver of capping of marks. See previous section.

When can I apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks?

You can apply for a Waiver of capping of Marks for a Supplemental/Repeat year examination in the 2 week period after your final results for examinations for your academic year have been released. (For the majority of students, this is when Semester 2 (Summer) results are released.

How do I apply for a Waiver of Capping of Marks?

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

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

Applications will be processed as quickly as possible. However, it can take 15 working days i.e 3 weeks following submission of the application form along with appropriate supporting documentation for a decision to be communicated to the applicant. 

Mitigation - Deferral of Module Examinations / Assessments

Who can apply to defer examinations/assessments?

Students who encounter circumstances which impact on their ability to prepare for or complete a module examination/assessment can apply to defer that examination/ assessment until the supplemental examination season or a repeat year.

A successful deferral application will guarantee that the marks achieved at the supplemental/repeat year examination/assessment are NOT capped at pass standard.

Who cannot apply to defer a module/examination?

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 repeating a module and not eligible for full 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 a Module Examination/Assessment? 

Upcoming deadlines for submission of Examination deferral applications for students registered for the 2023/24 Academic Year will be available in October 2023. The dates below relate to the Academic Year 2022/23.

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

For students registered for the 2022/23 Academic year, all deadlines to defer have now passed and the online form to defer modules/examinations is unavailable here. 

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.