Self-certification
Self-certification is a new element of the mitigating circumstances policy for the 2022/23 academic year (Section 4) (PDF, 636kb). This page summarises the scheme and more detailed information is available in the policy.
The scheme is designed to support students who are affected by unexpected short-term minor illness or disruption to study. Students have a limited number of opportunities per academic year to submit a claim, without evidence, to be allowed to submit an assessment late (within a time-frame known as the self-certification period) without late penalties applying.
Examples of short-term minor illness might include: flu, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, migraine, menstrual pain or norovirus. This list is not exhaustive. Distance learning students (only) might also cite employment related pressures as a reason.
Students experiencing more serious or significant illness or circumstances, should submit an evidence-based mitigating circumstances request rather than a self-certification request. They should also visit the Student Support Services webpages (log-in required) to find out more about any support services available.
Self-certification period
When submitting a self-certification request, you will be asked to give the period for which you are self-certifying. This is the amount of extra time you think you’ll need to submit your assessment. There are limits to how long you can self-certify for, as follows:
- Campus based students (full-time and part-time) can self-certify for a maximum of five working days, per self-certification period.
- Distance learning students can self-certify for a maximum of ten working days.
Self-certification periods start at 9.00am, on the first day of the period, and conclude at 8.59am on the last day of the period. Any late penalties will then apply from the end of the self-certification period, i.e. 9.00am on the last day of the self-certification period.
For example, where a self-certification period ends at 8.59am on Monday, a 10% late penalty shall be applied at 9.00am on the Monday, and any subsequent 5% penalties should be applied at 9.00am the following days, as per the late penalty scheme in Senate Regulation 7.
The original deadline date remains the same for calculation of non-submissions.
Outcome of a successful self-certification request
A successful self-certification request will allow students extra time to finish and submit their assignment without any late penalties being applied within the self-certification period.
For example, if a campus based student was feeling too unwell to finish and submit an assignment due on 10 October, they could submit a request to waive any late penalties for up to five working days. This would mean the student would have until 8.59am on the 17 October (accounting for weekends) to hand in their assignment. If the student handed in their assignment at 9.00am or after, late penalties would apply from that point forward.
It should also be noted that where students have multiple assessments within the self-certification period, the period will close for all assessments at the same time. For example, for a campus based student, if the self-certification period starts on Monday, and the student has assessments due on the Monday and another on the Wednesday, both assessments would need to be submitted by 8.59am the following Monday to avoid late penalties.
Assessments submitted after the self-certification period ends will be subject to late penalties.
Anything submitted 11 or more working days, or 9 working days for PGT programmes (except distance learning), after the original deadline will be deemed a non-submission, irrespective of whether there is a successful self-certification request.
It should be noted, that for real-time assessments (such as presentations) where the waiving of late penalties is not appropriate, Schools will decide on an appropriate outcome as set out in the policy. This could include a new date to attend the same or alternative assessment.
Allowable frequency of self-certification claims
Campus based students (full-time and part-time) can request to self-certify twice per academic year.
Distance learning students can request to self-certify as follows:
- Full time, Undergraduate = twice per level
- Full time, Postgraduate = twice per course
- Part time, Undergraduate = four times per level
- Part time, Postgraduate = four times per course
Distance learning students should contact the Distance Learning Study Team for more guidance on the specifics of their programme.
Which assessments can I self-certify for?
Students cannot self-certify for examinations (see definition in Section 4.5 of the policy).
Self-certification will usually cover course work assessments originally scheduled within the self-certification period. However, Schools may take assessments out of scope for self-certification where there is good reason. Please check with your School if an individual assessment is in scope for self-certification.
Can I submit another self-certification claim at the end of a previous successful claim?
No. Consecutive self-certification submissions will not be permitted. Students may only submit one self-certification request within a 10 day period.
Does a successful self-certification submission mean that I don’t have to attend classes?
Mitigating circumstances and self-certification are for assessment only. If you are unable to attend classes please contact your School for advice.
How long do I have to submit a self- certification claim?
Students have 7 calendar days after the assessment deadline to submit a self-certification claim as per the Mitigating circumstances policy. Any claims made after this period will be rejected.
Please note, self-certification claims made more than 5 days prior to an assessment deadline will not be accepted.
How to make a self-certification request
Please note, self-certification claims made more than 5 days prior to an assessment deadline will not be accepted.
You can make a self-certification request using the mitigating circumstances system on MyStudentRecord. Once you have logged in, click on the 'My Requests' tab.
If you cannot see the 'My Requests' tab (this may be because you are a Study Abroad, Erasmus or ELTU student; or a staff member on the PG Certificate in Academic and Professional Practice) you can make requests by completing the form (docx, 52KB) and submitting, along with your evidence, to the school where the module is taught.
If my self-certification request is successful, when should I submit my assessment?
Following a successful self-certification request, assessments can be submitted after the original deadline but before the self-certification period ends without a late penalty applying. Assessments submitted after the self-certification period ends will be subject to late penalties.
Should I wait for a response to my self-certification request before submitting my assessment?
If you are waiting for a response on a self-certification request and your original deadline has passed, you should aim to submit your assessment as soon as possible and within the self-certification period to avoid any potential late penalties if your request is rejected.