Special consideration gives students a chance to be fairly assessed even though they may have been disadvantaged by a range of difficulties and problems during the semester. Technically this is not limited to medical or physical issues; financial difficulties, housing problems, or personal crises such as family difficulties and relationship breakdowns are all valid reasons to apply for special consideration. However, the policy is that the disruption, problem or illness must be to “a substantial degree” and the reality is that the way special consideration procedures are administered can vary quite dramatically from faculty to faculty.

Special Consideration is available when:

  • at any time, your work during the academic year has to a substantial degree been hampered by illness or other cause; or
  • you have been prevented by illness or other cause from preparing for all or part of a component of assessment; or
  • you were to a substantial degree adversely affected by illness or other cause during the performance of a component of assessment.

You must also have a Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) Form completed to support your application. The HCAP form provides the University with documentation to support your request for special consideration. The HCAP form can be downloaded when you make your application online.

The HCAP should be completed by an appropriate professional who is familiar with your application for special consideration and is able to provide an evaluation of the severity of the circumstances that may have caused disadvantage.

An appropriate professional could include:

  • Your medical practitioner;
  • Other health care professional (dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist, physiotherapist, etc);
  • Counsellor;
  • Member of staff of the Disability Liaison Unit;
  • Minister of Religion;
  • Member of the Police force or legal professional.

As a general guide, if the professional filling out the HCAP form does not indicate that the affect on your studies was severe, then the application is unlikely to result in any action.

You must submit your online application for special consideration no later than 3 days after the due date for submission of the particular component of assessment to which your application refers. You then have 5 working days to submit the HCAP form. To apply for special consideration you must complete the application online . If you need help filling out the online form, please call us for an appointment.

You can apply for special consideration any time during semester, but the earlier the better. If you want special consideration for a component of assessment like an exam, your application can be submitted at any time leading up to the exam or three working days after the exam has taken place. This is similar for other pieces of assessment such as essays, assignments or practical work. It’s helpful to inform your lecturers and tutors that you are applying for special consideration. The outcome of your application can result in one of three things, depending on your faculty. You may receive an opportunity to complete additional assessment such as a supplementary exam. Your mark in relation to an exam, essay or other assessment may be altered. Or it may be found that no action at all is to be taken.

If you need further assistance you can contact your faculty office or the Student Union Advocacy Service. If you have an ongoing medical condition, you may be able to access special assistance from the Disability Liaison Unit.

Special Consideration: guidelines for submission

If you have lodged an application and it has been rejected or the outcome is indicated as “no appropriate action”, then you may wish to seek advice from the Advocacy Service regarding an appeal.