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Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating circumstances are serious, unforeseen circumstances beyond your control (ie. serious illness, family bereavement, etc) which prevent you from meeting the requirements of your programme. If you are unable to complete assignments or attend required classes/exams due to unforeseen circumstances, you can apply for extenuating circumstances. If you are granted extenuating circumstances in a module, you will have the opportunity to retake this module in the following trimester for no additional cost and with no cap applied to your grade.

Before you apply for extenuating circumstances it is important that you seek guidance and support from your College/School Office and/or Student Advisor. If you are unsure of who to speak to about applying for extenuating circumstances, please   Ask Usand we will be happy to connect you with the correct member of staff. 

Don't forget to check out the Student Guide to Extenuating Circumstances for helpful information

In many programmes you can apply for extenuating circumstances online via SISWebby following the steps below:

  • Log into SISWeb
  • Click on the Programme Services tab
  • Select Applications for Extenuating Circumstances
  • Start a new application and complete all necessary fields
  • Before making an application, you should also make sure to read the UCD's Extenuating Circumstances Policy carefully

Note that some programmes require students to complete a different application than the one available on SISWeb.

Where the online application is not available, contact your College/School office directly.

If you make an application for extenuating circumstances and would like an update on the status of your application, please contact your College/School Office as they will be best able to assist you.

If you are granted extenuating circumstances in a module, you will be charged for that module in the year that you initially registered to it. You will not be charged for that module when you retake it in a subsequent trimester. For example, if you registered for a module in 2020/21 but due to extenuating circumstances must retake the module in 2021/22, you will be charged for the module in 2020/21 and not in 2021/22 (pending you take the exact same module that you were given extenuating circumstances in and do not replace it with a different module). If you have any questions about how your fees may be affected by extenuating circumstances, please Ask Us and we will be happy to help.

Contact the Student Desk

Ground Floor, Tierney Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 1555 | Location Map(opens in a new window)

www.ucd.ie/askus