Mitigation

Sometimes while at Uni, things don't go to plan. Our Mitigation process is here to support you through unexpected situations that affect your ability to complete an assessment or exam - such as illness or a family crisis. 

Mitigation works by giving you extra time to complete your assignment, or the chance to take your exam later in the year depending on the severity of your situation. 

You can apply for 3-day evidence-free extensions for coursework assignments directly in ELE 2. For longer, evidence-based extensions, we've introduced a new system for the 2024/25 academic year to make applications easier and faster. You can find further information and guidance on the different types of mitigation below. 

If you are a BMBS, CEDAR, Degree Apprenticeship, INTO or fully online programme student then different processes currently apply: please click here for further information or contact your Education Support Team directly. 

Talk it through 

Before you decide to apply for Mitigation, where possible we encourage you to talk it through with someone:

• Academic tutor or Pastoral Mentor
• Hub/Info point
• Friend/loved one
• Students’ Guild or Students’ Union advice teams
• University Wellbeing team

Our Mitigation process is designed to support you, but you need to think carefully about the impacts of delaying assessments or exams (particularly if you do this more than once).

International Students

If you have a Student/Tier 4 visa be aware that deferring your assessments might have immigration implications. Please read the advice here or contact International Student Support for guidance.

Types of extension

1. Evidence-free extensions (coursework assignments only)

For coursework assignments (not exams or short duration coursework/timed assessments), you can have an evidence-free extension of 72 hours (3 days).

This option is available once per assessment. You can use it up to four times during the academic year; any further extensions required after this must be applied for through the evidence-based process detailed below.

You may add an evidence-free extension before, or up to 24 hours after the submission deadline. You do this within ELE2 yourself.

Please click here for video guidance for entering self-certified extensions

Please check ELE2 for your new submission date. ELE2 will also keep a record of how many evidence-free extensions you have remaining.

**Should you change your mind about the extension and submit your assignment before the original deadline, you have up to 3 working days after that deadline to withdraw it – otherwise it will count as having used 1 of your 4 extensions. To do this please contact your Hub.

The ‘add extension’ button will not appear if:

• The deadline is more than 1 month in the future
• The deadline passed more than 24 hours ago
• The assessment is an exam or group work or other assessment where specified by your Faculty
• You have already received an evidence-based extension

2. Evidence-based Mitigation

If you need an assessment extension of more than 72 hours and/or if you’ve used all four evidence-free extensions, you need to apply for evidence-based Mitigation.

If you wish to postpone an exam you will need to apply for evidence-based Mitigation.

The two main types of evidence-based Mitigation are:

• A standard extension is up to 1 or 2 weeks extra time to complete a coursework assessment. If you have already used a 72-hour extension, this will be included within a standard extension time. Should there be exceptional and complicated circumstances supported by evidence, a 3-week extension may be granted by the team. However, in most cases a deferral will be most appropriate if more than 2 weeks is required. 

•  A deferral is when an assessment or exam is delayed and rescheduled to the next time it takes place.  

Want to apply for evidence-based mitigation? Follow these steps:

A. Apply

You can apply for mitigation directly through your Student Records System (SRS). You can also access the via MyExeter.

You can apply for Mitigation up to four weeks before or up to 24 hours after your assessment deadline. Applications more than 4 weeks before your assessment deadline will not be accepted. 

Read guidance notes on how to apply for mitigation. You can also view a guidance video at the top of the page.

Please note you should upload verifiable evidence directly into the new mitigation system where it will be securely stored along with your application. You can upload your evidence either at the time of applying in the evidence section or log back in up to 10 working days after the deadline. Applications cannot be processed until the relevant evidence is provided. View a list of appropriate evidence examples.. Please do not submit graphic images that could negatively impact our staff who will be processing your application. Evidence must be verifiable rather than submitting graphic images of injuries. 

Please make sure the evidence you upload is in a readable format, either a Word document or pdf, and is not password protected. Any supporting evidence that is not in English will need to be translated and stamped by an official translation service or translator before we can accept it. A readable version must be provided within the relevant timeframe, or your application/evidence will be regarded as late. 

We recognise that the cost of living crisis this year may cause difficulties for some students. We’ve worked with the Students’ Guild and Students’ Union to change our policy, so that we can include financial circumstances as a reason you can apply for mitigation, this year.

Support from Wellbeing Services

If you are currently or have recently received support from any area of Wellbeing Services, including Welfare they may be able to support your mitigation application. In order to request mitigation support from Wellbeing Services, please read the FAQ’s - 

If you are based in Devon complete a short mitigation support form via the Wellbeing mitigation webpage. A member of the Wellbeing team will then make contact with you via email in the first instance. Please note, in addition to  completing the mitigation supporting evidence form for Wellbeing, you must also apply for mitigation by raising a mitigation request via the Student Record System or via MyExeter, within the required timeframes. 

If you are based in Cornwall, ask the wellbeing or welfare person that has been supporting you to provide you with supporting statements and evidence. Include your supporting evidence with the mitigation application form and send to the relevant hub or info point, within the required timeframes. Find more information on the Wellbeing mitigation webpage. 

Support from your Doctor

If you are seeking mitigation support from your Doctor, please make contact with their reception team to enquire about individual processes. The process for individual Doctors surgeries may differ.

B. Outcome

You should normally receive a decision within 5 working days (longer during busy periods). However as your application is processed, you will be notified at each stage via email. You can also log in to your Student Record System (SRS) or via MyExeter and check the status of your application to see what stage it is at.

Once a decision is made and if your application is successful, you should start preparing your assessment work for the next deadline or exam period.

Do be aware that a deferred assessment might not take the same format as the original one.

If Mitigation is declined and you disagree with the decision, you can appeal if you feel you have grounds to. Further information on this process will be provided in your outcome email.