You should submit a self-certification claim if you're experiencing a short-term illness or circumstance which impacts your ability to do well in assessments.
When should I use self-certification?
You should use self-certification (i.e. a mitigating circumstances claim without the need for evidence) for short-term illnesses or circumstances which affect you for no more than five working days.
Self-certification can be used to request either a short extension of five working days to your original coursework submission deadline ('allow late'), or a deferral of an exam or scheduled assessment, e.g. a test or presentation ('deferral'). It cannot be used to request a deferral of a coursework assessment.
Am I eligible for self-certification?
You can submit a self-certification claim if your situation matches all of the below criteria:
- You're experiencing short-term illness or circumstances which impact your ability to take an assessment. You can't use self-certification for an illness that lasts longer than five days, or for an illness which you should seek medical attention for. In these circumstances, you must get medical certification to support your claim – see our evidenced claims page
- You can submit the claim no earlier than ten working days before the assessment due date and no later than five days after the assessment due date* (self-certification claims will not be accepted if submitted outside this window)
- You haven't submitted a self-certification claim twice already this academic year** (if you have, you'll need to submit an evidenced claim)
- You haven't already taken the assessment (i.e. not submitted the coursework, or have not completed the exam or scheduled assessment, such as a presentation or in-class test)
Self-certification must only be used where absolutely necessary, and you're expected to manage minor ailments like coughs and colds yourself.
*If you already have a deadline extension following a Reasonable Adjustment approved by Disability Learning Support (DLS), then the window within which you can apply will be based on the extended deadline approved by DLS. Thus, the maximum extension you may receive will be 10 working days from the original deadline published by the Module Leader.
**If you complete and submit an assessment after having already claimed for mitigating circumstances via the self-certification route, the claim cannot be retracted and it would therefore be counted towards the two opportunities available to you for submitting a self-certification claim.
What circumstances are suitable for self-certification?
Self-certification is for short-term illnesses or circumstances.
Short-term illnesses
We recognise that it's not always possible or appropriate to see a doctor for short-term illness. Examples of appropriate illnesses for self-certification include:
- acute period pain
- diarrhoea
- flu
- food poisoning
- gastroenteritis
- migraines
- norovirus
Short-term circumstances
Other short-term circumstances which are appropriate for self-certification include:
- a sudden bereavement in the family
- unforeseen carer responsibilities
How to submit a self-certification claim
To submit your claim:
- log in to My Student Record
- go to the ‘My Profile’ tab
- in the ‘My Self Service’ box, click on ‘Submit a Self-certification Claim’ link
- complete the claim submission process
You must submit your claim no earlier than ten working days before, and no later than five working days after the assessment due date.
If you already have a deadline extension following a Reasonable Adjustment approved by Disability Learning Support (DLS), then the window within which you can apply will be based on the extended deadline approved by DLS.
Further information
If you require further advice or guidance about the mitigating circumstances process, please speak to the Student Centre team or your personal tutor. You can also check our Mitigating circumstances FAQs for answers to further questions about mitigating circumstances claims.
Evidenced claims
If you need to submit evidence with your mitigating circumstances claim, go to our Evidenced claims page.
Find out moreGo to Evidenced claims page
Mitigating circumstances process
For all the key information about the mitigating circumstances process, go to our Mitigating circumstances claims page.