Extenuating circumstances: What to know, how it works, when it applies

Academic life can be challenging enough without unexpected personal issues getting in the way.

But things like health setbacks, financial hardships, and even duties like jury service or sports competitions can make it difficult to stay on track.

If any of these situations are impacting your studies, you can apply for extenuating circumstances to ensure you’re fully supported.

What are extenuating circumstances?

Always remember that universities are invested in your success.

No one wants to see you struggle; that’s why options like “Extenuating Circumstances” in the UK, US, and Canada — or “Special Consideration” in Australia — exist.

Although specific terms and processes may differ between institutions, the goal remains the same: to provide support for students facing unexpected challenges that affect their academic performance.

For example, for many students, the crisis in Ukraine has brought additional stress and challenges, impacting their focus and academic work.

To help support students, universities are offering greater flexibility and resources.

The University of the Arts London (UAL) acknowledges that Ukrainian students may have difficulty fully engaging with their studies due to the conflict. So, it has waived the usual requirement for supporting evidence when applying for extenuating circumstances.

At University College London (UCL), students can access advisors for help with study-related concerns, mental health, and wellbeing, with referrals available to specialised therapeutic support provided by the NHS University Clinic.

Additional resources include a 24/7 Student Support Line, webinars on coping with world conflict, and flexible fee payment options.

More importantly, students impacted by the Ukraine war do not need to provide extensive details — simply noting “student affected by war in Ukraine” on an extenuating circumstances form is enough to secure extensions or deferments.

But it’s not just in times of conflict; universities generally offer various support measures to ensure that students have a fair shot at succeeding in their assessments, regardless of individual challenges.

These can include extra time to complete exams, breaks for resting, using a computer for support, or sitting for exams in a quieter or alternative venue.

Additional accommodations, like access to large-print exam papers, are also available for those with specific needs. Sometimes, universities adjust a student’s exam timetable to honour religious observances.

If you think you’ll need special arrangements, it’s important to contact your university in advance.

This is because you’ll need to provide documentation to verify your need for special arrangements to ensure fairness for all students. 

So, what makes you eligible for extenuating circumstances? 

What doesn’t count as extenuating circumstances

To qualify as an extenuating circumstance, an event must meet three essential criteria: it must be unexpected, beyond the student’s control, and have a substantial impact on their ability to complete or perform well in an assessment.

Without meeting these standards, a situation typically does not qualify as an extenuating circumstance.

For example, things like a cold, hangover, or even moving to a new place don’t count because they’re common and manageable.

The same goes for personal events like weddings or social gatherings — while important, they don’t meet the “unexpected” requirement.

Poor time management or missing deadlines due to oversleeping or misjudging dates do not qualify either, nor do typical exam nerves, unless accompanied by a verified diagnosis. 

Finally, common travel issues don’t count too.

That is, unless they’re the result of unexpected, uncontrollable disruptions. The key is that the event must be truly unavoidable to meet the criteria, such as the funeral of a close family member.

Other situations you can apply for extenuating circumstances

Bereavement

The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences, and it can deeply affect your ability to concentrate on your studies.

Shreya Sivaram, a student from India, shared a similar situation on Quora when he lost his maternal grandfather a day before his exams.

“He had been in the hospital for about a week, and my parents called to tell me the news,” writes Sivaram. “I started crying because I was very close to him. I couldn’t focus on my exams at all. Memories of our time together kept flooding my mind. I cried for hours while holding his photo and listening to his voice on a video recording. I completely lost the motivation to study.”

Illness

When applying for extenuating circumstances due to illnesses, there are a few things to remember.

Universities typically recognise illnesses lasting over seven days as valid reasons for coursework extensions. This can even include situations where a student receives a late diagnosis for a long-term medical condition.

During exam time, if you come down with an acute illness, that can also be taken into account since it’s understandable that unexpected health issues can disrupt your focus when you need to perform at your best.

On the flip side, if you’re under the weather for just a couple of days, like catching a cold or experiencing mild headaches, that usually won’t cut it as a reason for an extension.

After all, students are typically given a good amount of time to finish assignments, and short-term ailments that don’t require medical attention or leave you bedridden don’t usually fit the criteria for extenuating circumstances.

If you’re still able to engage with your coursework, even if you’re not feeling 100%, the university may expect you to carry on.

Hospital stays are a different story.

If you have a more severe condition, that could certainly warrant an application for extenuating circumstances.

But remember that a quick trip to the minor injuries unit won’t be sufficient grounds for requesting accommodations. Those visits are usually brief and shouldn’t disrupt your studies too much.

Caregiving

Facing unexpected caregiving responsibilities can be incredibly challenging for students, impacting their academic performance and peace of mind. 

This Redditor, who received an offer from the University of Oxford, voiced their concerns about possibly missing their grades due to the chaos of their A-levels.

“A family member got sick, and I had to skip both weeks of school and study leave to care for him because my parents were so busy with their jobs.”

This experience shows how unexpected caregiving duties can impact a student’s life, and often be of grounds to be eligible for extenuating circumstances. 

Learning requirements

If you’re a student with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia or dyspraxia, there are supportive measures to help you succeed in your assessments.

Moreover, such students are often exempt from penalties for poor spelling, grammar, or awkward sentence structure.

If you need any special arrangements because of a different disability, make sure to register with your university’s Disability Advisory Service or a related service as soon as you can.

It’s also a good idea to contact your Academic Tutor to chat about your needs shortly after starting your studies. Doing so can help ensure that reasonable adjustments are made for you.

Trauma

Trauma is one of those things that can throw a wrench into your studies, especially when exams are looming.

It’s not just about a bad day; it’s about how those shocking moments can stick with you and make it hard to focus.

One student shared a pretty shocking experience while biking with friends. They spotted what they thought was a mannequin hanging from a tree, only to realise, to their horror, that it was a real person.

Understandably, this left them and their friends feeling completely rattled. Now, in the midst of exams, they’re grappling with sleepless nights haunted by that image. 

Mental health

Exam stress can pose a considerable challenge for students already grappling with mental health difficulties, making it even harder for them to succeed.

Take this user from Reddit, a 22-year-old who’s finally finishing their A Levels after a tough few years battling depression and anxiety.

The student had fought hard, even landing offers from respected universities like Durham University and Imperial College London for biological sciences.

But now that the exams are approaching, everything feels a lot more intense, and those old mental health issues are creeping back in.

This student is facing intrusive thoughts, spiralling anxiety, and moments of derealisation that can make studying feel impossible. Although their tutor believes in their potential and has high hopes for their future, the student feels overwhelmed and unable to channel their strengths into effective revision.