Extenuating Circumstances

UCD has a policy for Extenuating Circumstances that allows consideration of unforeseen circumstances that had a serious effect on your ability to engage with your modules. Grounds for consideration must be serious, beyond your control and you must provide suitable supporting evidence. Not every circumstance is regarded as extenuating and you will find guidance in the Student Guide to Extenuating Circumstances on the UCD Current Students website.

Typical grounds for applying include documented mental or physical illness, hospitalisation, accident, family illness or bereavement or other serious personal or emotional circumstances relating to you or direct dependents you care for. Supporting evidence is required.

Qualified professionals include: 

• Medical practitioner 
• Garda 
• Other Health Professional 
• UCD Student Support Professional (e.g. Student Adviser, Student Counsellor) 

Please note that original documentation must be retained by you for possible future inspection.

Situations not usually covered include sporting or working commitments, misreading the exam timetable, travel, personal arrangements or technical issues. If you encounter technical issues, please take a time stamped screenshot and contact your module coordinator in the first instance for advice. And remember to always back up your work as you go along. You can also contact the IT Helpdesk for support.

Disability Support Unit

All students with a disability or significant ongoing illness in UCD have the opportunity to receive relevant reasonable accommodations or support via the Disability Support Unit in UCD Access and Lifelong Learning.

If you are not sure whether your situation is covered by the policy, please contact us via the  EngArch Student Connector for advice or contact the College Student Adviser Dr Julia Maher.

IN-TRIMESTER ASSESSMENTS/ATTENDANCE 

If your extenuating circumstances relate to missed in-trimester assessments or attendance, (mid-terms, tutorials etc.), local arrangements may be possible and you should contact the module coordinator as soon as possible and within ten days of the due date of any assessment.

If you know in advance that you are not going to meet a submission deadline, the Late Submission of Coursework Policy applies.  The application should be made prior to the due date, and granting an extension is at the discretion of the Module Coordinator.

If a local solution is not possible, then you can apply for formal Extenuating Circumstance online via SISWeb.

END OF TRIMESTER EXAM PERIOD

If your circumstances affect end-of-trimester assessments/exams, your application should be submitted as soon as possible and before the final deadline. Supporting evidence is required.

For end-of-trimester examinations, within 5 working days of the end of the University examination period. For the Spring Trimester, this is 12.00PM on 26 May 2023.

If you experience difficulties that have a negative impact on your academic performance, you can seek to have these extenuating circumstances taken into consideration before confirming your grades. You will complete the Extenuating Circumstances Form and submit the required supporting documentation on-line via SISWeb by the relevant deadlines. 

Applications are considered only in relation to the trimester in which they are made. 

LATE APPLICATIONS

Please note that late or retrospective applications will be considered only in exceptional circumstances and you will need to contact the College Office via the EngArch Student Connector for advice.

IX/WN GRADES

Remediating IX Grades - Guidance 

If you are awarded an IX grade due to Extenuating Circumstances there are a number of steps you need to take in order to remediate the grade(s). Please see:

• IX Grade Awards - Infographic
• IX Grades Explained

WN Grades - Guidance

If you are awarded a W grade due to Extenuating Circumstances there are a number of registration related steps you need to take in the next academic year.

• WN Grades Explained