Mitigating circumstances

You may be eligible for a coursework extension or an additional consideration if an unexpected event, like illness or bereavement, disrupts your ability to revise or take exams.

How to apply for mitigating circumstances

Read the mitigating circumstances guidance before applying.

Read how we keep your mitigating circumstances data secure.

When mitigating circumstances apply

Mitigating circumstances are short-term, unpredictable, and unpreventable events.

General university pressures, such as high workloads and conflicting deadlines, are not considered mitigating circumstances.

You can ​contact the Student Support team in your parent school if you need help or support at any time.

Consider these steps for time planning and management:

If you have a disability or long-term health condition

Register with Disability Services if your disability or long-term health condition (of 12 months or more) impacts your daily studies.

Disability Services will advise on support and reasonable adjustments.

Disabilities include specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, and diagnosed mental health conditions. 

Postgraduate researchers

If you’re a postgraduate researcher, go to our taking time out of your research page.

Student Counselling and Wellbeing service

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing service can provide a standard email to support a plea of mitigating circumstances.

To be eligible for this, you must either be, or have been, attending appointments at the time of the circumstances you are seeking mitigation for. We are unable to provide statements retrospectively.

Student Counselling and Wellbeing is not able to provide psychological or medical assessments. Where medical evidence is needed, a letter from your GP or hospital consultant will be needed. 
No information is given about a student without their consent.

If you have any questions about the Student Counselling and Wellbeing service policy on providing evidence on mitigating circumstances, email the Student Counselling and Wellbeing team at scw@leeds.ac.uk.

School support contacts

We encourage you to contact the Student Support team in your school at any time if you need help or support.