Mitigation and Support
This webpage includes information on mitigation, Education Support and Pastoral Mentors.
Mitigation
Sometimes you may not be able to make your deadline due to unexpected circumstances. This may be an illness or family or personal emergency. Don’t worry there are two routes of mitigation which can support you extending the deadline.
- Evidence-free extensions
This will give you an extension of 7 days, you can self-certify this via ELE2.
This can be done once per assessment and up to four times during the academic year.
You can submit this request either before the deadline or up to 24 hours after the deadline.
You may not be able to submit your evidence-free extension through the 'add extension button' if:
- The deadline is more than 1 month in the future.
- The deadline passed more than 24 hours ago.
- The assessment is an exam or group work or other assessment where specified by your Faculty.
- You have already received an evidence-based extension for this assessment.
If you want to change your mind and you have submitted to the original deadline, remember to contact your Hub, and withdraw this extension. Or else it counts to one of your four extensions.
- Evidence-based mitigation
This route of mitigation is for those assignments that require an assessment extension of more than one week (7 days, including weekends) and/or you have used your 4 evidence free extensions. There are two types of evidence-based mitigation. These are:
- A standard extension
This type of extension is up to one- or two-weeks extra time to complete a coursework assessment.
If you have already used a 7-day extension, this will be included within a standard extension time.
- Deferrals
This is when an assessment or exam is delayed to the next assessment period.
N.b, If you are a tier 4 visa holder, please consult with the International Students team as it may impact your visa.
To apply for evidence-based evidence and if there is time, it may be a good idea to talk to someone first to make sure this is the right decision for you. This could be the Guild Advice Service, your tutors, you Hub Info point, Wellbeing team or even a family member or friend.
You can apply for mitigation directly through your Student Records System (SRS). You can also access this via MyExeter.
Here is some guidance on how to apply for mitigation.
What are examples of reasonable circumstances?
- Bereavement
- Illness (short term or long-term health condition)
- Students with ILP extension approval
- Significant family/ personal/ welfare circumstances
- Caring responsibilities
- This list is not an exhaustive, please visit the TQA to find the full details.
How do I provide evidence?
Please note you should upload verifiable evidence directly into the new mitigation system where it will be securely stored along with your application. You can upload your evidence either at the time of applying in the evidence section or log back in up to 10 working days after the deadline. Applications cannot be processed until the relevant evidence is provided. View a list of appropriate evidence examples.
My exams fall over a period where I observe a religious day or festival, what can I do?
Whilst the university has made efforts to ensure exams do not fall on days where students observe religious days or festivals there may be certain days where this is not possible. If you feel that this may apply to you then you will need to fill out a religious observance form. This form needs to be re-submitted every academic year.
Please see the time frames for this process below:
January exams
- University examination dates: 5 – 11 January 2026
- Completed form to be returned no later than: Friday 17 October 2025
May exams
- University examination dates: 5 - 31 May 2026
- Completed form to be returned no later than: Friday 23 January 2026
August exams (Referred/Deferred)
- University examination dates: 8 August - 17 August 2026
- Completed form to be returned no later than: Friday 26 June 2026
Telling the University about Personal Difficulties
Sometimes your health can be impacting on your ability to study to the best of your ability. There are many different things that can be done to support you through this. Everyone feels stressed or anxious sometimes, and in the right amounts it can be motivating, even helpful. But when experienced over a long period of time it can become a health problem.
Education Support from Pastoral Mentors Wellbeing Services
The Education Welfare Team can talk to you in a confidential and non-judgemental way about any issues you need help with. You can find some more information about what the team can help with, and also how to request support.
You can also find some more information from Wellbeing Services about how they can help with delaying an exam or deadline.
If you have concerns around your academic studies or progress, for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, we recommend that you contact your departmental Pastoral Mentor, who can provide initial signposting, short-term support and onward referral to specialist support - including the Education Welfare Team - if needed. You can contact them directly here: Pastoral Mentors.
For Postgraduate Research students, your Pastoral Tutor or PGR Support Team can provide initial signposting and support, including onward referral to specialist support if needed. You can find the contact details for your Pastoral Tutor listed on your MyPGR record, or your local PGR Support Officer on this webpage: PGR Support Teams.
What happens if I have been called to a HWSS (Health Wellbeing and Support for Study meeting) meeting?
Do not panic, the HWSS procedure is to provide support and offer options to help students fulfil their potential in a non-judgemental way. Once students have had discussions with their Education Welfare Advisors there can be a plan put in place to help students.
The overall aims of a HWSS meeting are:
- To make sure students are supported to study and manage their health, wellbeing and current circumstances to the best of their ability. Also to wherever possible to meet the required learning outcomes and complete their course.
- Make sure that if any issues arise the student gets the support at the earliest possible time to prevent further problems.
- The best interests of the student are at the forefront of the decisions being made. Also, that the student are able to make informed decisions based on the information provided.
HWSS meetings are categorised in 3 different levels. More information about the different levels can be found here. If you are unsure and would like a supporter with you then please contact the Advice Service by submitting an enquiry form giving us as much detail as possible. An Advisor will be in touch and maybe able to support you.
Please note: if you are undertaking a course that is an accredited by a professional body such as the HCPC or GMC then this procedure may follow fitness to practice procedures.
The full guidance and policy around the HWSS procedure can be found here.
Pastoral Mentors
Pastoral Mentors are a point of contact, embedded within departments, who can support you if you are facing challenges that impact your ability to study and be successful in your programme. They provide end-to-end support for student queries, including signposting to expert services as required. Find out more here.
Page last updated: 22 October 2025.