You are expected to take part in assessments at set points during the academic year, but we know that circumstances outside of your control might sometimes stop you from undertaking or doing these assessments to the best of your ability. The Extenuating Circumstances (EC) Procedure is how you let us know, and it’s important to do so as soon as possible.
Before submitting a claim, please read all the information on these pages and be aware this is only guidance. It supports, but does not replace, the Extenuating Circumstances Policy & Procedure, which we recommend you read.
What circumstances can I submit an EC for?
ECs that are usually acceptable, unacceptable ECs, and what to do if you can’t disclose the details of your EC.
What evidence is acceptable for an EC?
Evidence requirements, self-certification, and what to do if you have a Greenwich Inclusion Plan.
Which type of EC claim should I choose?
How to find the right type of claim for your circumstances.
When should I submit my EC claim?
Deadlines for your claim and evidence submission.
How do I submit an EC claim?
How to use the Digital Student Centre to submit your claim.
What happens next?
Possible outcomes of an EC claim and what to do if you don’t agree with them.
Still have questions?
ECs for Postgraduate Research students
The Extenuating Circumstances Policy & Procedure only applies to students undertaking taught modules or programmes of study (including the taught elements of the MRes and EdD). If you're on a postgraduate research programme and are experiencing difficulties, please get in touch with the RETI Training and Research Programmes Officer for your faculty:
- Faculty of Business (FBUS): reti-pgrbis@gre.ac.uk
- Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences (FLAS): reti-pgrlas@gre.ac.uk
- Faculty of Engineering & Sciences (FES): reti-pgres@gre.ac.uk
- Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences (FEHHS): reti-pgreh@gre.ac.uk
Further advice and support
- Your Faculty Student Advisors
- Student Wellbeing Service (Counselling & Mental Health)
- Student Wellbeing Service (Disability & Dyslexia)
- Medical Services
- Wellbeing Hub
- Student Centres
- Greenwich Students' Union Advice Team
Grace periods
There may be occasions where something prevents you meeting a deadline, but you don’t need a deferral or 14-day extension, so we have introduced a 2-calendar day (every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, but excluding University closure days) grace period for assessments submitted during the main academic cycle.
This allows you to submit a piece of coursework up to 2-calendar days after the original deadline without penalty. Grace periods are available to you immediately when you need it, so there is no need to submit an EC claim.
Grace periods are designed to address exceptional submission issues, where work is ready but not yet submitted. Any technical issues that continue beyond the grace period would need to be considered as an EC.
Exceptional cases that currently do not require evidence
We understand that some of our students and their families may be affected by difficult situations, and we want to support you as much as possible.
We realise that you may not be able to properly focus on your studies or assessments while these circumstances are ongoing and might feel that you need some extra time to submit or undertake your assessment, or that your performance has been affected.
The Extenuating Circumstances Procedure is here to support you where the impact of these situations affects your performance in or ability to undertake an assessment. If you need help making an Extenuating Circumstances claim, you can contact the GSU Advice Service for support.
If you are experiencing any of the circumstances below, you do not need to provide evidence when you submit an EC claim. However, as the EC system requires you to upload evidence, please take a screenshot of this webpage and attach it as your evidence if you have been directly affected.
- The situation in the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon
- The situation in Sudan
- The situation in Ukraine
- The situation in Bangladesh
- The situation in India
- The situation in Pakistan
- The situation on the Cambodia – Thailand border
- The situation in Turkey and Syria
- The situation in Spain: Southern and eastern Spain, in regions including the Costa del Sol, where the city of Malaga is located, and Valencia in the east have been impacted by torrential rainfall causing deadly flash floods.
- The situation in Myanmar and Thailand: Myanmar and Thailand have been impacted by a recent earthquake.