Special Consideration

The University's assessment practices are designed to ensure that conditions are as consistent as possible, and that individual students are not disadvantaged by adverse personal circumstances beyond their control or by the activities of other students.

Generally, serious illness or misadventure will be taken into account when considering a student's academic performance in a course or individual units of study. There is, however, a clear distinction between longstanding illness or difficulties and short-term serious illness or misadventure that may prevent an otherwise well-prepared student from sitting for an examination or completing an assignment.

This policy deals with short-term illness; in the case of long-term illnesses or difficulties that prevent the student from attending classes, completing required work or studying for long periods, the student should withdraw from the unit or units of study affected, or suspend candidature as appropriate.

The information you supply on this document is necessary for proper assessment of your application for special consideration by the University. This document, and any associated records, will be retained by the faculty relevant to your degree. The records will only be available to staff performing the appropriate duties in processing your application. All records will be destroyed in a secure manner at the appropriate time. Any request to access and/or correct the information should be addressed to the relevant faculty office immediately.

Students are strongly advised to check with the school in which they are seeking consideration before lodging an application, as School requirements in some matters (attendance, late submission, examinations, academic penalties) may differ from the information presented on this web page or within the Faculty of Science Special Consideration Guidelines document.

Please note that applications must be received within seven (7) days of the assessment task for which consideration is sought (ie. 7 days from the assignment due date or date of examination).

Applying for Special Consideration:

1. Download a Special Consideration Application Pack from the link below, or from the Faculty of Science Student Information Office.
2. Complete the Special Consideration Form:
   - For consideration due to serious illness - have a registered medical practitioner or counsellor complete the Professional Practitioners Certificate.
   - For consideration due to misadventure attach appropriate documentation (eg. police report).
3. Make the appropriate number of copies of your application form – one copy per assessment for which you are seeking Special Consideration.
4. Lodge the original of this form at the Faculty of Science Student Information Office, 2nd Floor Carslaw Bldg. The Faculty of Science Student Information Office will then stamp and sign each of the copies made. Faxed applications will not be processed.
5. Lodge a stamped copy of the form with each School Office or Unit of Study Coordinator.

Applications must be lodged within seven (7) days of the assessment task for which consideration is sought (ie. within one week of the date of the assessment task).

Students will be notified of the academic judgement concerning their special consideration application by the relevant unit coordinator and the Faculty of Science Student Information Office (via your university e-mail account).

Schools are required to respond to a Special Consideration Application within two weeks of lodgement.

Download a copy of the Special Consideration Application Pack with guidelines here.

Read the Special Consideration Frequently Asked Questions which cover how to submit your application and what happens after that.

Further information on Special Consideration including an outline of the Appeal Process can be downloaded here: Special Consideration Policy