Extenuating circumstances

Although Covid-19 has been with us for some time now, we acknowledge that its impact can affect both your studies and your life away from university. Whilst we encourage you to make every effort to engage with and submit planned assessments within the published timeframes, we understand that this is impacting everyone differently.

We realise that for some of you it may not be possible to properly engage with your studies or assessment at some points during this academic year. You may feel that you need some extra time to submit or undertake your assessment or that your performance has been negatively impacted by your personal Covid-19 experience.

As part of our No Detriment approach for 2020-21 we have maintained the relaxed grounds upon which a claim for Extenuating Circumstances can be made as well as the evidence requirements to have a claim accepted.

How can an Extenuating Circumstances (EC) claim help me?

What can I claim for under the relaxed grounds and what evidence do I need?

Can I claim if I have a long-term condition and have a Greenwich Inclusion Plan (GIP)?

When should I submit my claim?

How do I submit my claim?

How can an Extenuating Circumstances (EC) claim help me?

If you are seeking more time to submit your coursework because of your circumstances, an accepted EC claim will allow you an extra 10 working days to submit coursework with the full mark for the work being awarded.

Please note - an extra 10 working days is not available for exams and take home tests. 

If you are unable to engage in an online exam, take home test or submit your coursework, you can submit a claim which, if accepted, will enable you to be offered an opportunity to retrieve the assessment without the grade being capped.

What can I claim for under the relaxed grounds and what evidence do I need?

You can submit an EC claim if any of the following apply to you:

• You or a member of your family or household are self-isolating due to Covid
• You have experienced Covid-related bereavements
• You have concerns over childcare because of school or nursery closures
• You are a key worker
• You have returned home from overseas
• You have no access to suitable IT
• You experience IT failure at the point of submission of your assessment/exam (you will need to submit the work via the link on the module Moodle page that permits an upload for the '10 extra days' extension period).

If you have been affected by Covid-related circumstances that are not on the above list, please submit a claim which will be considered based on the information that you provide.

The EC system requires you to upload evidence to complete your claim, so please do provide any evidence that you have. However, we understand that might be difficult or not possible so instead you can attach a copy of this webpage as your evidence. You must, however, clearly explain your circumstances, as well as the impact that they are having on your assessments.

Can I claim if I have a long-term condition and have a Greenwich Inclusion Plan (GIP)?

Yes - if you have a GIP that confirms and supports your long-term, fluctuating medical condition, you can submit a copy of your GIP as evidence.

When should I submit my claim?

Deadlines for claims have not changed and we do expect you to submit your claim within the defined timescales given below:

COURSEWORK

• The earliest that you can submit your claim is - no earlier than 4 weeks before your assessment due date
• The latest that you can submit your claim is - no later than 10 working days after the assessment due date

EXAMS (INCLUDING TAKE-HOME TESTS)

• The earliest that you can submit your claim is - on the day of your exam
• The latest that you can submit your claim is - no later than 5 working days after the date of your exam

Please note - an extra 10 working days is not available for exams and take home tests.

If you are unable to submit your EC claim within the deadline but believe that you have good reason, please contact your Programme Leader.

How do I submit my claim? 

You can claim for extenuating circumstances in the usual way via the online submission system, which is available on the portal on your ‘My Learning’ tab in the box titled ‘Assessment’ https://portal.gre.ac.uk/web/student/my-learning.

• If you are only seeking an extra 10 working days to submit your coursework, please select the option “An extra 10 working days after a deadline to submit (coursework only)?” on the Formal Assessments Affected page
• If you are unable to engage in the assessment task or submit your work, please select the option “Up to 10 working days with Impaired performance OR non-submission OR non-attendance?”on the Formal Assessments Affected page

If you would like further support in submitting a claim, understanding if you have a claim or any other questions, the Greenwich Students' Union Advice Team and the GKUnions Team are there to help you.

For further information and updates on our Covid-19 approach, please visit our Be-Covid Safe hub.