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Guides and articles on university, education and student legal issues.

Academic Appeals

Mitigating Circumstances in an Academic Appeal

Explain the effect of circumstances on assessment and why they were not raised earlier.

Describe the impact

Give a concise timeline of the circumstances, the affected assessments and the practical effect on preparation, attendance or performance. A diagnosis alone may not explain the link to the result; the panel needs to understand what changed and when.

Explain earlier opportunities

If there was a separate extenuating circumstances procedure, explain whether you used it and, if not, why. Universities may ask why material could not reasonably have been supplied before the assessment or original decision.

Support the account

Provide relevant, dated records where available and identify any missing evidence. Keep sensitive material proportionate. If a disability and reasonable adjustments are involved, consider whether the failure to provide support is a distinct issue as well as part of the appeal.