What are Mitigating Circumstances?
These are personal situations that may affect or have affected your academic performance whilst doing assignments or during assessment periods. These can be anything from illness, personal issues or bereavement to housing, family or funding problems.
Problems with Study Skills are not mitigating circumstances. You need to discuss study skills problems with your Personal Supervisor and visit the Study Advice Services, located on the ground floor of the Brynmor Jones Library.
Remember, if you do not tell your department about situations affecting your performance, they will not know that you are not performing to the best of your ability. Your Personal Supervisor is there for general support as well as study support throughout your degree.
You should always try to notify your department of these circumstances as soon as possible and your intention to submit a ‘Notification of Mitigating Circumstances’ form, as it's important that an official record of your circumstances are made.
Submitting the form is essential or your circumstances will not be taken into account when reviewing your work. This must also be submitted no later than 7 days after your last assessment or assignment for which you wish your Mitigating Circumstances to be considered.
In some circumstances, it is possible to submit a Mitigating Circumstances form after the event. To find out more information about when it is applicable or for help with academic issues please contact the Advice Centre on huu-advice-centre@hull.ac.uk or 01482 466263.
How to complete a Mitigating Circumstances Form
(click above to download form)
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Which do I select ‘MIT’, ‘AGC’ or ‘EXT’?
MIT: Mitigation, considering your circumstances when a mark is being given for a piece of work/examination. It also includes ongoing problems affecting your studies.
AGC: Absence with Good Cause, specifically from an examination.
EXT: Extension. This is used for written work only. -
Details supporting Application
In this section, you need to write a statement explaining how you have been affected. It is also essential for as much evidence as possible that you feel is relevant, for example a doctor’s note to be submitted with the Mitigating Circumstances form. The Advice Centre can help check over your statement.
What do I do with the form?
Once you have completed the form, you need to take it to your Departmental office, along with any evidence (make photocopies and keep originals).
It is also useful to keep a copy of your written statement/form for future reference.
What happens next?
The relevant Module Board of Examiners will decide the best option for the circumstances you have given. It must be noted that not all circumstances you consider to be ‘mitigating’ will justify special consideration.
You may not receive a response to your ‘Mitigating Circumstances’ form. However, there are ways of finding out whether your circumstances have been considered. When looking at your modules results on the portal, if you see ‘SSC’ written on the right hand-side, this means that your circumstances have been considered.
If you are concerned that your circumstances have not been considered, then the Advice Centre can help further.
