Here you can download the full guide for Special Consideration:
Special Consideration Guide (PDF, 8 pages, 250k)
Example circumstances
Below you can find some common examples of circumstances for Special Consideration.
Click the applicable circumstance to see supporting evidence that may be supplied:
Short-term illness
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of the special consideration guide)
- Hospital Discharge Certificate
Hardship or trauma
For hardship or trauma, including:
- Sudden change in domestic arrangements: e.g. eviction, homelessness
- Unexpected serious financial difficulties
- Victims of crime
- Unexpected events/accidents
- Hospitalisation of a family member
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Official letter from relevant source/authority
- Police report
- Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of the special consideration guide)
- Hospital Discharge Certificate
Death of a relative or friend
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Death Notice/Certificate
- Obituary
- Order of service
- Statutory Declaration
Unavoidable commitments
For unavoidable commitments such as:
- University Competitions
- Religious commitments (ie. compulsory religious observances. Does not include voluntary commitments)
- Unavoidable medical procedures
- Court dates/jury duty
- Unexpected carers requirements
- Exams held at another University
- Interviews (for internship or graduate positions)
- UNSW approved internships
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Letter from UNSW competition owner confirming support of attendance at competition
- Letter from religious leader/Elder confirming the date(s) of the religious commitment and requirement to observe
- Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of the special consideration guide)
- Letter confirming required attendance in court including dates
- Carers requirements list
- Letter from other University confirming exam schedule
- Confirmation of interview
- Letter from internship host confirming internships dates and their inability to be flexible in start dates or allowing time off to attend university examinations
Exacerbation of ongoing illness
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of the special consideration guide)
- Hospital Discharge Certificate
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders
Elite athletes or performers include:
- Students part of UNSW Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders Support Program – training commitments or attending a competition
- Students representing UNSW/State/Country at a competition
- Faculty supported competitions
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Letter from club or team manager outlining competition dates and/or increased training commitments
- Letter from club or competition owner confirming competition dates
- Letter from Faculty ADE confirming support of attendance at Faculty competition.
Australian Defence Force reservists or full-time personnel/SES commitments and volunteer firefighters
Suggested supporting evidence:
- An official training notice or similar document from organiser explaining why attendance is required
Life events (births, weddings, graduation)
Suggested supporting evidence:
- Birth certificate
- Hospital admission/discharge papers
- Medical certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of the special consideration guide)
- Invitation to wedding
- Graduation ceremony registration confirmation
Technical issue during an online assessment
Supporting evidence required:
- Screenshot(s) of the issue experienced that include the date/time the issue occurred
AND - Screenshot(s) of communication with course authority, tutor or exam supervisor
Non-applicable circumstances
UNSW does not provide Special Consideration for conditions or circumstances that are the consequence of a student’s own actions or inactions. Some common examples of circumstances that are not usually considered exceptional include:
- misreading the course outline;
- misreading the examination timetable;
- heavy academic work load;
- overloading with additional courses in the given term;
- two or more assessments due on the same date;
- submitting the incorrect assessment/exam file;
- attending events such as concerts; talk shows; sporting events (excluding university games/ elite competitions); protests; holidays;
- travel/holidays (including holidays associated with weddings);
- professional experience organised independently by student;
- work commitments (unless unexpected and unavoidable);
- computer updating during an online assessment;
- volunteering commitments;
- club/society events and commitments;
- late enrolment in a course