Extenuating circumstances refer to unforeseeable or unavoidable events that negatively impact your academic performance during or prior to an assessment or examination.
Such circumstances may:
- Prevent you from submitting coursework or sitting an examination.
- Negatively affect your performance during submission or the examination.
If your Extenuating Circumstances application is successful and supported by evidence, your assessment attempt will be cancelled, requiring you to resit at the earliest opportunity. This concession eliminates the attempt but does not increase your marks.
Application Guidelines
You may apply if unforeseen circumstances outside your control have prevented you from completing your assessment or affected its quality. Applications must be submitted within 10 days of your assessment, accompanied by evidence. Late applications will only be considered if you were mentally or physically unable to submit on time, supported by appropriate documentation.
Evidence must:
- Be factual, relevant, and trustworthy.
- Originate from an appropriate third party (e.g., a doctor).
- Be translated independently if not in English.
For further details, refer to the Evidence Guidance section.
If you are aware of circumstances before your assessment deadline, notify your school by applying for a coursework extension or submitting a Query Form via the Hub/VLE, followed by an Extenuating Circumstances application.
How to Apply
- Log in or create an account at BPP Account.
- Select ‘Help & Support’ on the left-hand side.
- Navigate to ‘Appeals and Academic Support’ and choose ‘Extenuating Circumstances’.
- Follow the prompts to apply.
Use your BPP student email when submitting your application. You will receive a confirmation email; retain this as proof of submission.
The Office of Regulation and Compliance (ORC) will review your application within 10 working days. To meet the criteria, your application must:
- Be submitted on the correct form with all requested details.
- Identify unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances.
- Include objective evidence connected to the assessment.
- Be submitted within the 10-day time limit.
If your application is rejected, the rejection email will include guidance on submitting an Academic Appeal.
Check out our What to Do When Things Go Wrong Guide!
Long-Term Circumstances
The Extenuating Circumstances procedure addresses short-term issues. For known long-term conditions, medical evidence may not be required for each flare-up during assessments. However, evidence of the condition or a Learning Support Agreement should be provided.