Mitigation

 

Mitigation and Late Mitigation are the processes by which the University makes allowances for any unexpected serious problems or sudden illness you or a close family member e.g. parent or child experience which will seriously affect your performance in an assessment and/or exam, including serious problems or illness that stop you from being able to sit an exam on the day.

 

Grounds for Mitigation

Acceptable grounds, for which you are required to produce evidence, are:

•            A serious personal illness which is not a permanent condition

•            The death, or serious illness, of a close family member, a friend or person for whom you have responsibility of care

•            Sudden or unforeseen circumstances beyond your reasonable control.

 

Not accepted as grounds for Mitigation

There are circumstances that will not be considered, for example:

•            Family, work, financial or other general problems that could have been anticipated

•            Ignorance of the Academic Regulations

•            Ignorance of, or misunderstanding, submission deadlines or examination dates

•            Computer, disc, printer or any other technical failure for which you are responsible (you are required to keep a copy of your work).

 

How to submit a claim for Mitigation & Late Mitigation

A mitigation claim should be submitted by email within five working days after the submission date for the assessment and / or the date on which an exam has been set. You should speak to one of the University’s Student Advisers before submitting a mitigation claim to ensure you are following the correct process and understand the implications on your progression. They can also check your evidence to ensure it is relevant to submit with your mitigation form. You should provide relevant and timely evidence such as a letter from a professional e.g doctor, solicitor or therapist or in the case of a death of a close family member a death certificate or a funeral order of service. 

 

The Academic Regulations allow students to submit a Late Mitigation claim provided it is accompanied by an acceptable explanation (with supporting evidence) for why the claim was not submitted within the 5 working days’ time limit. Please speak to a Students’ Union Adviser before submitting a Late Mitigation claim so they can check you are following the correct process, understand the implications on your progression and check your evidence of lateness and the reason for mitigating.

 

You can find more information from the Academic Registry on Mitigation & Late Mitigation, the form to fill in and how to submit your form here

 

What happens after I submit my Mitigation or Late Mitigation form?

Once you submit your mitigation form and your evidence to the academic registry your claim is then heard at a Mitigation Panel, these happen several times throughout the academic year. The panel is made up of University staff such as Director of Studies, Academic Registrar and a manager from Student Services. The panel will discuss your claim and look at the supporting evidence to decide if the claim is justified or not. The panel is closed and confidential.

 

If due to the sensitive nature of the reasons for submitting a mitigation or late mitigation claim you do not want your personal information and situation being shared  in a panel setting you can request that it is seen only by the Academic Registrar, the University’s Student Advisers or Student Union Advisers can help you make this decision and request on your behalf if needed.

 

How will I know the results of my Mitigation or Late Mitigation claim?

The outcome of your mitigation or late mitigation claim will appear on your eVision, please keep an eye out after you have submitted your forms and evidence.  The element(s) of the module that you have submitted a claim about will show the relevant outcomes next to the module information as your claim is processed e.g:

 

• Submitted (awaiting outcome)
• Accepted
• Deferred (e.g: awaiting further evidence or information)
• Rejected, No evidence received to support claim
• Rejected, Evidence was not time relevant

 

If you are not sure about the outcome or don’t understand the reasons for your claim being rejected please get in touch with your University Student Adviser or Students Union Adviser.

 

What are the outcomes of a successful mitigation & late mitigation claim?

• Any mark achieved for the relevant element(s) is annulled
• You are required to take either the initial attempt (or the re-assessment attempt) in the mitigated element(s) at a time determined by the University. In certain circumstances you may be required to re-attend the module in order to be assessed in the mitigated element;
• The module result will not be capped unless it is a further attempt at the re-assessment attempt following a previous failure.

 

Things to remember before submitting a mitigation or late mitigation claim

• You are strongly encouraged to seek advice first before submitting  a mitigation claim.
• Once submitted you are not able to withdraw a mitigation claim.
• You need to be able to provide evidence of what’s happened and to explain the impact on your assessments or exams.
• You need to be able to provide a reason and evidence of why you are submitting late as well as the reason and evidence for mitigation.
• Your progression to the next level of your studies may be seriously impacted by the results of your mitigation or late mitigation claim.