Extension requests and extenuating circumstances

Extensions to deadlines may be requested in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances. Such requests must normally be made at least one week before the deadline: students must complete an extension request form (available on Moodle or from the APT Office) which needs to be signed by their personal tutor and by the Academic Registrar or Director of Studies. Extension requests are not granted automatically. A doctor’s note may be required (see ‘extenuating circumstances’ below). It is not normally possible to grant extensions beyond the final deadline of the academic year.

Students who receive academic support from Mel Lucas are normally allowed a two week extension to the set deadlines, except for the final end of year deadline.

If ongoing medical problems or acute personal circumstances affect your work, you should always discuss this with your tutor in the first instance and as soon as possible. Your tutor will often be able to offer advice on managing your workload, on possible sources of help and on the options open to you if things do not improve. He/she will also ensure that your difficulties are taken into account when considering issues such as absences from class, extension requests, performance in assessment, etc. Boards of Examiners do take medical and personal circumstances into account when considering the progress of students or degree classification, provided that they have been informed of them (with supporting evidence) in advance. Any such circumstances which could have been raised before the meeting, but which, without valid reason, were not raised, will not be considered in the event of an appeal. Further information is available on the following link: dur.ac.uk/common.awards/policies/illness.