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Extenuating/Mitigating Circumstances, Results Day, Contextual Offers and More.

If you’ve had difficulties whilst studying for your A-levels, most unis will take this into account when giving you your offer or on results day. However, you do have to let the universities you’ve applied to know about this in the correct way in order to benefit.It’s also worth remembering that you can’t usually get two types of consideration for the same issue- so if, for example, you get extra time in exams, you can’t also get additional marks in exams for extenuating circumstances.

Equally, if you’ve already had extenuating circumstances applied to your exam grades, the uni may consider this to have levelled the playing field already. Unis will always want evidence of your extenuating circumstances, and they are usually better coming from someone like your referee. A lot of people do ring up universities with sob stories, and some of them are unfortunately lying, so unis do require evidence of most situations. Finally, any special consideration is at the university’s discretion, and their decision is final.

ALWAYS LET THE UNIVERSITY KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ABOUT ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MIGHT AFFECT YOUR PERFORMANCE! BRINGING UP NEW EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES ON RESULTS DAY IS ALMOST ALWAYS TOO LATE!

Extenuating circumstances only really apply to things which affect your level 3 study. If you missed out on GCSE level requirements due to extenuating circumstances, you’d usually still be expected to retake, although your referee can explain why you are having to retake.

Extenuating Circumstances that you know about before applying.

When you apply to university, it’s your referee’s job to let the uni know about any difficulties you’ve faced while studying for A-levels. This could include a long term health condition, or a recent bereavement. Admissions tutors will consider these factors and may ask for supplementary evidence.If the admissions tutor thinks these factors put you at a disadvantage, they will usually give you a contextual offer. This means your offer will be a couple of grades lower than the standard offer- for example ABB instead of AAA or DMM instead of DDD.

If you’ve already been given a reduced offer, and miss it, the university will not usually be any more lenient with you due to your extenuating circumstances. Your school/college should also be putting things in place to support you, especially exam arrangements- for example extra time or taking your exams on a laptop or in a separate room. Unis and exam boards will assume this is being put in place by your school and you have all the accommodations you need. If you don’t feel this is happening, you need to bring it up with your school as soon as possible.

BRINGING ANY OF THIS UP ON RESULTS DAY IS FAR TOO LATE. IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE IMPORTANT INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN YOUR REFERENCE, AND YOU GET THE ALLOWANCES YOU NEED FOR EXAMS.

Extenuating Circumstances that occur after you’ve applied, but before your exams.

In this sort of situation, for example you break a leg around February of year 13, your referee should contact the uni and let them know as soon as possible. The university can chose to change your offer at this stage, but they can’t withdraw it. Alternatively, the uni may just bear this information in mind, in case you miss your offer on results day, and be slightly more lenient towards you.

The sooner you contact unis about any issues, the sooner they can make you aware of what they need you to do in your specific circumstances. Again, bringing anything that happened before your exams up on results day is just too late.

Extenuating Circumstances that occur during your exams.

These should usually be referred to your school/college exams officer. They will apply to the exam board for special consideration. If you have sat the exam, usually a small percentage (up to 5% in extreme circumstances) is added to your final mark. If you are unable to sit an exam due to circumstances beyond your control, the exam board can sometimes calculate the mark on your behalf.

Your school exams officer can usually advise you as to what is the best thing to do, so stay in touch with them if you are having any issues.It’s also a good idea for your referee to let your firm and insurance university know about the situation. However, in most cases, if you have already received special consideration from the exam board, the uni won’t also show extra leniency.

IF YOU DON’T FOLLOW THIS PROCESS, UNIVERSITIES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CONSIDER ANY EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES YOU MAY HAVE.

What not to do.

The absolute worst thing you can do is phone up (or worse turn up in person) at a university on results day with a long list of extenuating circumstances (but no evidence of these) begging to be let in. At this stage, it is too late. On results day, most unis are very busy, and they won’t have time to talk through complicated circumstances with you. By this stage, the decision has been made and won’t be reversed.

It’s also not a good idea to devote large chunks of your PS to discussing difficult circumstances you have faced. The PS should be a positive piece of writing focusing on why you want to study that particular course. Extenuating circumstances are much better discussed with your referee. If your referee isn’t aware of issues you have, discuss these with them before they write your reference

.Most universities will not take into account any issues you can’t provide evidence for. This can be a problem for some people, especially those with undiagnosed mental health issues. Unfortunately, you will usually need a diagnosis (or at least to be under the care of a medical professional) and supporting evidence for any health condition to be taken seriously by a university.