Temporary Disability

Temporary disability or illness can have an impact on how students are able to access learning, and they may need extra support or advice when taking assessments. Find out about mitigating circumstances and who to contact.

Students with a temporary incapacity

If students are unwell or are experiencing a short-term disability during an assessment period and require modified arrangements, the school needs to be notified as soon as possible. If they can't complete their University assessments for temporary health or access reasons, staff must advise the relevant school and the Assessment & Progress Team (A&P) immediately (except in the case of absence from an assessment or illness during an assessment). A designated room will be available for approved candidates to sit assessments.

Approval is reached through a departmental recommendation to the University Assessment & Progress Officer. A&P will advise approved candidates of the arrangements and procedures prior to the assessment period.

Where a student’s incapacity is of a temporary nature, the personal tutor or departmental examinations/assessments officer should obtain supporting evidence of the condition and its impact on assessment. If modifications to the standard assessment process are necessary, the personal tutor or departmental examinations/assessments officer should make recommendations to A&P, in consultation with the individual student and the external examiners.  A&P can be contacted via the email address scexams@leeds.ac.uk.

What do students need to do?

Once students have notified us of a disability, they can review their special assessment arrangements via Minerva (log into Student Services, click on the “Examinations” tab, then select “Examination arrangements”).

Mitigating circumstances

Students should be advised to check their school's individual mitigating circumstances policy, including deadlines for each semester and where to submit the claim. 

If they are absent from an assessment or believe that their performance in an assessment has been affected by illness or other adverse circumstances, a written explanation must be provided to their parent/teaching school(s) within five working days of the assessment. In the case of illness, this must be accompanied by a full medical certificate from a doctor.

Students must submit written evidence in advance of the meeting where their results are to be considered. It's their responsibility to find out the date of this meeting - and can consult the school/departmental office. Evidence supplied after the meeting can't be taken into consideration.

Individual schools will deal with any claims, so students should seek guidance from them about what constitutes mitigating circumstances and how to complete a request.

Find out more on the Mitigating Circumstances webpage.