For the majority of claims evidence is a requirement, however in some specific cases you may be able to submit your claim using the Self Certification route - there is a flowchart on the Extenuating Circumstances Student Services page to help you work out whether your claim will require evidence to support your claim.
Where your claim does require supporting evidence, a list of acceptable evidence is below.
This list is not exclusive and is included in Section 4.3: Standard of Evidence section of the EC Regulations here.
| Circumstance | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Illness | Printouts from the NHS app which attest to the circumstances claimed in the form. Where possible, a letter from an appropriate medical professional or statement from the University Counselling Service (or equivalent) confirming the nature of the illness and the likely impact it is having on the student's ability to undertake formal assessment and/or study. This includes medical certificates supplied by online doctors, provided that they are UK based and CQC-regulated. China specific requirements: A letter of medical diagnosis issued by appropriate medical professional at AA or AA+ hospital in China (or equivalent) or statement from the UNNC Health and Wellbeing Centre confirming the nature of the illness and the likely impact it is having on the student’s ability to undertake formal assessment and/or study. The diagnosis letter should be issued in letterhead and stamped by the hospital as deemed official. Medical certificates supplied by online doctors are not acceptable. |
| Hospitalisation/acute injury | Discharge notes. A medical letter/certificate from the relevant hospital confirming the nature of the student's circumstances. Letter of appointment for a specialist consultation, investigation or outpatient treatment. Students should not need to visit a Health Centre to provide medical certification when they have an obvious physical injury. Corroboration, such as a note from a hospital casualty department, or from a tutor who has seen the injury, would normally be sufficient. Examples of obvious physical injury could include plaster casts or metal pins supporting broken bones. China specific requirements: A discharge report issued by appropriate medical professional at AA or AA+ hospital in China (or equivalent) confirming the nature of the student’s circumstances , the period of hospitalisation and likely impact it may have on the student’s ability to undertake formal assessment and/or study. The discharge report issued in letterhead and stamped by the hospital as deemed official. |
| Family illness | A medical certificate/letter from a medical professional confirming the nature and severity of the family circumstances.
Aforementioned China specific requirements would apply. |
| Bereavement | A death certificate or a letter confirming the death from an independent person (usually not a family member). Evidence from a hospital Family Bereavement Centre, or equivalent. Where these are not available, an order of service from the funeral. It is recognised that these levels of evidence are not always possible. Schools are permitted to use their discretion (e.g. tutor statement). |
| IT and/or computer failure during e-examinations | Screenshots of the issue which demonstrate the timing and the longevity of the issue. Where relevant, a statement of disrupted service from an internet provider. |
| Acute personal/ emotional circumstances | An original medical certificate or letter from an appropriate medical professional or a letter from the University Counselling Service (or equivalent) confirming a list of counselling session attended dates.
Aforementioned China specific requirements would apply. If extenuating circumstance panels require further information, please contact the counselling service directly. It is unlikely that evidence will be given if there has been limited or no recent engagement with the service. |
| Pregnancy | Medical documentation and/or supporting letter from personal tutor, depending on the circumstances. |
| Victim of crime | A written statement of events which is supported by written evidence from the Police (including a crime reference number). Where the impact of the crime has led to a medical or other professional consultation, an original medical certificate or letter from an appropriate medical professional or a letter from the University Counselling Service (or equivalent) confirming the likely impact the reported crime had/is having on the student's ability to undertake formal assessment and/or study. For extreme circumstances (e.g. domestic or sexual abuse) it may be that a supporting letter from the personal tutor is appropriate evidence. |
| Domestic disruption | Where significant and unforeseen domestic disruption has occurred very close to a timetabled examination a letter from an appropriate independent individual/authority detailing the relevant circumstances and an indication of the likely impact with their contact details provided. |
| Representing the University at a national event or involvement in some other significant/ prestigious event | A letter of confirmation from the relevant organising body (or from their website) and a supporting statement from the student explaining why the event should be considered as significant/prestigious and the reason(s) why they are required to be absent from University. For applications under the High Performing Athlete policy, a letter from the coach or personal tutor may be appropriate evidence. |
| Jury service (UK) | A letter from the Court together with proof that a deferral has been requested and rejected or proof that a previous request for deferral has been accepted. |
| Court attendance (UK) | Where a student is required to attend a tribunal or court as a witness, defendant (see ‘Criminal Conviction’, Unacceptable Circumstances) or plaintiff the student should provide official correspondence from the tribunal/court confirming attendance or a solicitor’s letter detailing the nature and dates of the legal proceedings and the requirement for the student to attend. |