REQUEST FOR COURSEWORK EXTENSION /
Guidance Notes for Completion of the Coursework Extension Form

Please read the following Guidance Notes before completing the form.

Coursework extensions are only granted for exceptional, serious and acute problems or events which genuinely affected your ability to complete coursework on time.

In the normal course of life you may occasionally experience illness, unexpected or adverse events which coincide with coursework assignments. It is essential to recognise that these are part of normal life experience and that it is expected that some difficult circumstances have to be managed in addition to your studies. Such circumstances do not in themselves excuse failure to produce work on time.

You are expected to manage and organize your coursework assignments in a way which anticipates that events will not always run smoothly.

It is important that you keep an academic member of staff fully informed of any difficulties at the time at which they occur.

How do I request a Coursework Extension?

You must complete a Request for Coursework Extension Form (attached herewith).

Forms are available either from your School Office or from the University’s website.

Follow carefully these guidelines and the instructions for completion given on the form.

If any information is missing from the form your request may not be eligible for consideration. You may, if you wish, complete the form in liaison with an academic member of staff or the University’s Counselling Service.

Complete and return the form not later than the coursework submission date.

Return the completed form to your Module Coordinator by hand or recorded delivery. Do not delay submitting your form if you are waiting for your evidence from a third party. Remember that it is your own responsibility to ensure that your independent supporting evidence is given to your School or Department and that forms without supporting evidence may not be considered.

Please be aware that the University’s Academic Regulation A3, paragraph 6.1 relating to Non-Academic Misconduct, might be applied should there be any doubts about the authenticity of the claim.

In what circumstances might a coursework extension be granted?

The following are circumstances which would usually be considered:

  • Serious or significant medical conditions or illness (including both physical and mental health problems).
  • Exceptional personal circumstances (e.g. serious illness or death of an immediate family member or close friend, including participation in funeral and associated rites; being a victim of significant crime).
  • Exceptional travel circumstances beyond your control.
  • Ailments such as very severe colds, migraines, stomach upsets, etc., ONLY where the ailment was so severe it was impossible for you to attend to hand in your work.

This list is not exhaustive

Supporting evidence

When you submit a Coursework Extension Request you must provide independent supporting evidence from an appropriate third party. Requests without such evidence will not normally be considered. It is your own responsibility to organize and provide supporting evidence which confirms to your Module Coordinator that your request has a valid reason.

Note GPs (general practitioners/medical doctors) do not normally issue medical certificates for illnesses which are not related to absence from paid employment and they are entitled to charge for letters written to confirm periods of illness.

In what circumstances would a coursework extension NOT be granted?

The following are examples of circumstances NOT normally considered for coursework extensions:

  • Minor ailments such as colds, headaches, hangovers, etc.
  • Inability to prioritise and schedule the completion of several pieces of work over a period of time.
  • Problems caused by English not being your principal language. You should seek advice in good time from the Study Support Centre or the English Language Tutor.
  • Poor time management or personal organisation (e.g. failure to plan for foreseeable last-minute emergencies such as computer crashes, printing problems or travel problems resulting in late submission of coursework).
  • Circumstances within your control (e.g. a holiday; paid employment if you are a full time student; something considered more important).
  • Requests made after the published deadline for their receipt, i.e. by the coursework submission date except where you were unable to meet the submission date for exceptional reasons which can be validated.
  • Requests without independent supporting evidence.
  • Requests which do not state clearly how your inability to hand in your assessment on time was caused.

What happens to my Coursework Extension Request?

Requests will be considered by the Module Coordinator and communicated to you by him or her or by another member of staff delegated to do this. Requests are treated as confidential documents; only those members of staff who are involved with the decision making process will see your request form.

Data Protection Statement

The RobertGordonUniversity is a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998. The personal data you provide with this form will be kept on your student file for monitoring purposes and the data will be anonymised and used for statistical purposes. The data will not be transferred to third parties. All personal data will be processed according to the Data Protection Principles and in line with the University's Data Protection Policy

REQUEST FOR COURSEWORK EXTENSION /

Read the accompanying guidance before completing the form.

This request form should be handed in no later than the final date for the submission of coursework.

Name
Enrolment No
Course
Stage
Current address
Contact telephone number

Modules affected:

All columns must be completed.

1. Module Number / 2. Module Title / 3. Coursework submission date

Describe concisely the circumstances which have caused you to request a coursework extension. Include relevant dates and refer to supporting evidence.

Completion of this section is compulsory.

I have submitted the following supporting evidence with this form:

List the item(s) included.

Forms without supporting evidence may not be considered. You should not delay submitting a form if supporting evidence is not immediately available, but it is your own responsibility to submit this evidence as soon as possible.

Forms must be handed in to the Module Coordinator or posted to him/her by recorded delivery to arrive NOT LATER THAN the submission date for coursework.

Please be aware that the University’s Academic Regulation A3, paragraph 6.1 relating to Non-Academic Misconduct, might be applied should there be any doubts about the authenticity of the claim.

Completion of this section is compulsory.

The information I have provided is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Signed: Date:

Data Protection Statement

The RobertGordonUniversity is a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998. The personal data you provide with this form will be kept on your student file for monitoring purposes and the data will be anonymised and used for statistical purposes. The data will not be transferred to third parties.

School Use Only:

For completion by the Module Coordinator

Student’s enrolment number:
Date request received:
Supporting evidence included: yes /no / to follow
Recommendation made:
Date:
Recommendation communicated to student by whom:
Date of communication: