Academic support & resources
Get help with your academic skills and apply for Special Consideration if you're unable to complete an assessment.
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Want to get the most out of your studies at UNSW Bengaluru? Explore a range of academic support resources, including self-paced improvement modules.
Plus, learn what to do if you're unable to complete an assessment or exam due to circumstances outside your control.
🩺 Special Consideration & Short Extensions
Are circumstances outside your control preventing you from sitting an exam or submitting an assessment?
Two consideration processes are available:
When illness or other circumstances beyond your control affect your ability to undertake assessments, you may be eligible to apply for Special Consideration. We'll assess the impact of unexpected, short-term events on your ability to complete your task.
If approved, you'll receive an alternative arrangement to help you complete your assessment requirements.
For selected assessments and courses, you can apply for an extended deadline without needing to provide supporting documentation. You'll get immediate approval during brief, life-disrupting events.
Check your course outline or Moodle to see if a Short Extension is available for your assessments.
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Special Consideration
Short Extension
Availability You can apply for any assessment in any course you’re enrolled in. Short Extension is not available for all courses and assessments. Availability is decided by the course authority and will be noted in your course outline, Moodle site, or other relevant Learning Management System (LMS). Eligibility Eligibility to apply is open to all students who meet the criteria. For assessments where a Short Extension has been approved, all students enrolled in the course for that teaching period may submit an application. Duration of extension The time frame will depend on your circumstances and the impact period described in your supporting evidence. Short Extensions range from one to seven days, subject to course authority approval and as outlined in your course outline, Moodle page or LMS. Outcome Approval depends on the nature of the assessment and the circumstances outlined in your application. Applications are not automatically approved, and each review request is assessed individually. Approval is granted automatically once the request is submitted. Supporting documentation Mandatory. Not required. Application deadline Three working days after the assessment due date. The due date for your assessment. Late applications will not be accepted.
Special Consideration
If you are applying for Special Consideration, you must submit your application as soon as possible within three working days of the assessment due date.
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You could be eligible for Special Consideration if your situation meets the following conditions:
- Short-term: Special Consideration is intended for temporary or short-term issues. If you have a long-term medical or mental health condition, are living with a disability or are the primary carer for someone with a disability, Equitable Learning Services can provide you with ongoing support throughout your studies.
- Unanticipated: Your circumstances must be unexpected and beyond your control. Review common examples to understand what is and is not covered by Special Consideration.
- Impacts an assessment: Your situation must have seriously affected your ability to study or complete assessment tasks. For example:
- The impact occurred during a key assessment period and lasted at least three days in a row or five days in total
- You were unable to attend an exam or submit an assessment on the due date.
- Hardships
- Commitments
Click on a circumstance to see suggested supporting evidence you can supply.
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Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 9.1 of Special Consideration Guidelines)
Hospital Discharge Certificate
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Unexpected serious financial difficulties or sudden change in domestic arrangements (e.g. eviction, homelessness etc.):
- Official letter from relevant source/authority
Victims of crime:
- Police report
Unexpected events/accidents:
- Medical Certificate (provided by an accredited health practitioner, see Appendix 9.1 of Special Consideration Guidelines)
Hospitalisation of a family member:
- Hospital Discharge Certificate
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- Death Notice/Certificate
- Obituary
- Order of service
- Statutory Declaration
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- Screenshot(s) of the issue experienced, including the date and time the issue occurred
- Screenshot(s) of communication with course authority, tutor or exam supervisor
Click on a circumstance to see suggested supporting evidence you can supply.
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University competitions:
- Letter from UNSW competition owner confirming support of attendance at competition
Religious commitments (i.e. compulsory religious observances; does not include voluntary commitments):
- Letter from religious leader/elder confirming the date(s) of the religious commitment and requirement to observe (Religious reasons final exam reschedule, see Appendix 9.4)
Unavoidable medical procedures:
- Medical Certificate (provided by an accredited health practitioner, see Appendix 9.1 of Special Consideration Guidelines)
Court dates or jury duty:
- Letter confirming required attendance in court including dates
Unexpected carers requirements:
- Carers requirements list
Exams held at another university:
- Letter from other University confirming exam schedule
Interviews (for internship or graduate positions):
- Confirmation of interview
UNSW approved internships:
- Letter from internship host confirming internships dates and their inability to be flexible in start dates, or allowing time off to attend university examinations.
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- Birth certificate
- Hospital admission/discharge papers
- Medical Certificate (provided by health practitioner, see Appendix 8.1 of Special Consideration Guidelines)
- Invitation to wedding
- Graduation ceremony registration confirmation
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Training commitments or competitions as part of UNSW Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders Support Program:
- Letter from club or team manager outlining competition dates and/or increased training commitments
Competition where you represent UNSW, the State or Country:
- Letter from club or competition owner confirming competition dates
Are attending UNSW Bengaluru supported competitions:
- Letter from UNSW Bengaluru Registrar confirming support of attendance at competition.
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Examples of circumstances not usually considered as eligible for Special Consideration include:
- Misreading the course outline or examination timetable
- Heavy academic workload, even when overloading with additional courses in the given semester
- 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 and elite competitions) or protests
- Travel/holidays (including holidays associated with weddings)
- Professional experience or work commitments organised independently by student (unless unexpected and unavoidable)
- Computer updating during an online assessment
- Volunteering or club/society events and commitments
- Late enrolment in a course.
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UNSW Bengaluru's Fit to Sit requirement applies to all timed assessments, including:
Short exams (up to 24 hours)
Online and on-campus tests
Presentations
Lab assessments.
Eligibility for Special Consideration in timed assessments requires both valid circumstances and adherence to the Fit to Sit rule.
Fit to Sit timeline
Before submitting a Special Consideration request, please be aware that:
- The threshold for approval to waive the Fit to Sit rule is extremely high.
- The University reserves the right to verify all claims and supporting documentation.
- Applications are assessed individually and approval is not automatic.
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You can apply for Special Consideration.
Remember: Accessing or attempting an exam or other timed assessment on the scheduled date confirms your fitness to sit and makes you ineligible for Special Consideration.
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If you feel unwell or are impacted by other circumstances to the point that you cannot continue with your timed assessment, you must:
- Stop working on the assessment immediately. Do not continue once it becomes clear you are unable to proceed.
- Notify staff (i.e. your exam coordinator or tutor) as soon as possible and advise them immediately that you are unwell. This must occur before the end of the timed assessment.
- Apply for Special Consideration within three working days of the assessment date and have supporting documentation dated within 24 hours of the assessment date.
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You are not eligible for Special Consideration.
An exception will only be considered if it is clear that you were prevented from making an informed decision.
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For guidance on preparing your supporting documentation, please refer to the Special Consideration Guide.
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Instructions on how to apply for Special Consideration will be available closer to the start of the Northern Autumn Teaching Period. Check back later for more information.
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Your application will usually be assessed within three-to-five working days. UNSW Bengaluru's procedures ensure that the information you provide is kept confidential.
Important note
Do not wait for your Special Consideration Application to be approved before submitting your assessment. If an extension is granted, it will be calculated from the original due date and will usually reflect the period of impact described in your supporting documentation.
Continue working on your assessment and submit it once you are satisfied it meets the required standard.
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If your application is approved, the outcome may be one of the following:
A supplementary or alternative assessment
An extended deadline for the assessment (note the extension granted is normally, but not always, equivalent to the period of impact outlined in your supporting documentation)
An aggregated or averaged mark derived from other comparable completed assessments.
We may contact your Course Authority to help determine the most appropriate outcome for your circumstances.
Please note: Applying for Special Consideration does not automatically mean that you will be granted an additional assessment, or that you will be awarded an amended result. For example, if you have a poor record of attendance or performance throughout your course, you may be failed regardless of illness or other reason affecting a final examination in that course.
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You may request a review of the outcome of a Special Consideration application no later than 3 working days from the day you received your application outcome. Ensure you:
- Read the instructions and complete all sections of the Special Consideration Review Form
- Prepare all additional supporting documentation not previously submitted with the Special Consideration application
- Submit your completed review form and supporting documentation to specialconsideration@unsw.edu.au with the subject line of your email as:
Review: [Student Name], [zID], [Course Code], Semester
Requests for a review must be made in writing, clearly setting out the grounds for the review.
Only one review request per application will be considered by the Student Case Review team. If you are dissatisfied with a review outcome, you may lodge a student complaint in accordance with the UNSW Complaint Management and Investigations Policy and Procedure.
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Important student responsibilities
Applying for Special Consideration is an official UNSW Bengaluru process and means that you have responsibilities you must be aware of under the UNSW Student Code and the Special Consideration Student Declaration.
It is your responsibility to inform UNSW Bengaluru if something may affect your ability to continue your studies. However, if you feel that your circumstances are too significant or personal to use in the Special Consideration process, reach out to UNSW Bengaluru support services as soon as you can.
- Circumstances
- Portal
- Tech issues
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If your Special Consideration application is approved, the outcome may include one of the following:
- An alternative or supplementary assessment task
- An revised submission deadline for the original assessment. Where an extension is granted, the length typically aligns with the period of impact noted in your supporting documentation.
- A final mark calculated from the aggregation or averaging of other comparable assessments you have already completed.
In some cases, your Course Authority may be consulted to assist in determining the most appropriate outcome based on your circumstances.
Applying for Special Consideration does not automatically result in a new assessment opportunity or an adjusted result. For example, if your overall attendance or academic performance in a course has been unsatisfactory across the semester, you may still receive a fail outcome, even if illness or other circumstances impact a final assessment.
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You are only required to apply for Special Consideration if you're missing a class that:
- Counts towards your final course mark (refer to your course outline)
- Puts you under the minimum attendance requirements for the course
- Contains an in-class assessment on that day.
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If you become unwell before an exam and believe you cannot attend the exam, you should:
- Consult a medical practitioner within 24 hours and get a medical certificate that covers date of the exam.
If the certificate is issued through an online or telehealth consultation, additional evidence confirming the telehealth appointment must be submitted alongside the certificate. More information can be found in the Special Consideration Guide. - Submit a Special Consideration application within three working days of the exam.
Please note: If you sit or access your exam or any other timed assessment on the scheduled date, you will no longer be eligible for Special Consideration. For more information, see UNSW’s Fit to Sit rule.
- Consult a medical practitioner within 24 hours and get a medical certificate that covers date of the exam.
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Special Consideration applies to short-term circumstances that impact your performance during a specific study, exam or assessment period. A separate application must be submitted for each impacted assessment.
If your circumstance is long-term and recurring (including long-term physical or mental health conditions and carer responsibilities), please seek appropriate long-term support.
Where eligible, you may submit Special Consideration applications for more than one assessment, provided that each assessment is affected by your circumstances.
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If you are registered with Equitable Learning Services (ELS), you should only apply for Special Consideration if:
- Your Equitable Learning Plan (ELP) has not yet been finalised or approved with ELS at the time your assessment is due
- Your condition has worsened or temporarily intensified and the adjustments outlined in your ELP are no longer sufficient to support your participation or performance
- The reason for your Special Consideration request is unrelated to your conditions registered with ELS.
Learn more about Equitable Learning Services at UNSW Bengaluru.
What should I do if:
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If you're having difficulties using the Special Consideration portal, please try the following:
- Access the portal using a desktop computer or laptop instead of a mobile device
- Try a different browser
- Log in through an incognito or private browsing window
- Clear your browser cache and history before trying again.
If you're receiving an invalid user ID/password error message, you will need reset your password via Identity Manager.
Finally, if you are still experiencing issues accessing the portal, please email the Student Case Review team via specialconsideration@unsw.edu.au. You must include your student ID, the course you are applying for and any screenshots of the issues you are experiencing.
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If your assessment type is not listed in the Special Consideration portal, please choose the closest type of assessment and provide additional details in the application summary box.
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To add further supporting documentation after applying, please follow these steps:
- Select your application on the My Applications page
- Scroll down to Attachment
- Choose the file(s) you want to add
- Click on the yellow ‘Upload’ button at the bottom right to submit your documents.
Please note: You can only add further documents to applications with the following status:
- Submitted
- Decision Made - On Hold
- Decision Made - Document(s) added.
Once your application has been processed, you will not be able to add further documentation. Please review your outcome for further information.
What should I do if:
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Technical issues can include problems such as being unable to access or log in to your device. If you experience a technical disruption, you must notify your Course Authority, Tutor or Exam Supervisor as soon as possible using email, Moodle or another communication channel.
Take screenshots of as many of the following as possible (each must include the date and time):
- Error notifications or system messages
- Screens failing to load
- Internet speed test results
- Power outage information or maps
- Notices from your internet provider confirming service disruptions.
Once your timed assessment has finished, you must submit a Special Consideration application immediately, attaching the screenshots you captured as supporting evidence.
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Where possible, make arrangements to complete your exam from an alternative location.
If finding another location is not possible, you must submit a Special Consideration application prior to the exam date. Your supporting documentation must clearly outline the dates and details of the planned outage affecting your ability to sit the exam.
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You are responsible for being fully prepared before an assessment begins. This includes ensuring your devices are adequately charged and ready for use.
Special Consideration will not be awarded on the grounds of running out of battery before or during an assessment.
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Before commencing an online assessment, you are responsible for ensuring that automatic system updates are turned off on your computer.
Special Consideration will not be granted if an assessment is disrupted due to a device updating during the assessment period.
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You are expected to save your work on an online file storage service.
Unless your ability to save your work was affected by exceptional circumstances, Special Consideration will not be awarded on the grounds of losing your files.
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You are responsible for checking your work and ensuring you select the correct file before uploading.
Special Consideration will not be awarded on the grounds of uploading incorrect files.
Short Extension
Short Extensions are not available for every course and assessment. Where a Short Extension applies, applications must be submitted by the assessment's due date and time.
ℹ️ Quick reference: Step-by-step application guide | What to expect after your application
To proceed, follow the steps outlined below to lodge your application:
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Short Extensions are only available for selected courses and assessments. Confirm whether this option applies to your assessment by checking your course outline or Moodle site.
If a Short Extension is not offered, you can consider applying for Special Consideration instead.
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Applications can be submitted from the start of the semester until the assessment's due date and time. No late applications will be accepted.
Instructions on how to apply for a Short Extension will be available closer to the start of the Northern Autumn Teaching Period. Check back later for more information.
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All Short Extension applications submitted on time result in automatic approval. The outcome has already been determined by your Course Authority and does not vary by individual circumstances.
The duration of the Short Extension for your assessment is fixed and confirmed in your course outline or Moodle.
If your circumstances require additional time beyond the set Short Extension period or a different assessment outcome, you should consider applying for Special Consideration instead.
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Your updated submission deadline can be found on the View Submissions page in the Short Extension Student Portal.
On your revised due date, you are expected to submit the assessment at the same time as the original due date.
For example, if the assessment was due at 11:59pm on the original due date, then it will also be due at 11:59pm on the revised due date.
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Courses will only appear in the Short Extension Student Portal once the teaching period has started. If your course has not yet commenced, it will not be visible in the portal.
If you're unable to locate your course during the semester, this generally indicates that Short Extensions are not available for assessments in that course. For confirmation, refer to your course outline or Moodle page.
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Short Extension availability is predetermined by your course authority. You cannot apply for a Short Extension after the due date of your assessment under any circumstance.
If you have circumstances that meet the eligibility criteria and appropriate supporting documentation, you can apply for Special Consideration instead up to three working days after the assessment due date.
Late applications for Special Consideration will only be considered if your documentation justifies an inability to submit on time.
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If you have an applicable Equitable Learning Plan (ELP), you may decide whether your ELP or a Short Extension will best serve your needs for an assessment task with a Short Extension available.
The assessment deadline can be extended by either your ELP or a Short Extension, but not both.
If you require further extension, apply for Special Consideration.