There is a single policy across the University for the late submission of coursework for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students.
You should familiarise yourself with the primary submission of coursework method of each department that you are taking a module with. Each piece of coursework must be submitted by the deadline published in order to gain a mark. However, there may be occasions when you are unable to undertake, complete or hand in a piece of coursework due to circumstances beyond your control. The University has put in place policies for dealing with such extenuating circumstances.
Making a late submission request
If you miss your coursework deadline and believe that you have extenuating circumstances, then you should submit a late submission form within seven calendar days (including weekends and/or holidays) detailing those circumstances and any relevant evidence. It is your responsibility to inform the department of the circumstances.
Documentary evidence you need to provide
This will depend on the type of problems that you have experienced. Whilst documentary evidence is not always required, nor possible to obtain, the Extenuating Circumstances Committee reserves the right to reject cases where evidence is not provided.
See our guidance on documentary evidence.
Circumstances not taken into account
The following are examples of circumstances which are not considered to be relevant for the instatement of marks due to failure to meet a deadline:
- minor ailments and illnesses on the day of coursework submission, such as colds, coughs, sprains, headache)
- personal disruptions or events which could have been anticipated, such as holidays, weddings, changing address or employment, religious holidays or festivals which are usually known in advance
- study-related circumstances, such as computer failure, printing problems, unavailability of books, photocopying problems, as these problems should be factored into the organisation of your work load (in cases where there are serious failures of relevant computing resources, the department may schedule a general change in the deadline for all students affected)
- general pressure of work is not taken to be circumstances beyond your control, as you are expected to plan your work schedule
- excessive demands on time or pressure of employment which could have been anticipated
- financial constraints, as these are commonly experienced by students
- misreading/confusing the coursework deadline
- oversleeping on the day of the deadline
- transport problems, such as car breaking down or delayed public transport
It is not appropriate, nor possible, to list all of the potential extenuating circumstances that a student may encounter which would be accepted by the Extenuating Circumstances Committee. The list above should give you an indication of the types of circumstance that are not accepted by the Committee.
Here is the late submission policy for both undergraduate and postgraduate students: Late submission of coursework policy.
Don’t leave handing in your work until the last possible day!