Special Consideration Policy

1. Purpose and scope

This policy covers special consideration, also called extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Special consideration is for a short-term, often unforeseen circumstance that affects a student's ability to complete an assessment on time or to their normal standard. Examples include illness, bereavement, or another event outside the student's control that happens immediately before or during an assessment. It is separate from the Reasonable Adjustments Policy, which covers an ongoing disability or long-term condition (see the Glossary, LIBT Quality Glossary).

This policy applies to all students on LIBT-awarded, QUALIFI-awarded, and LIBT Malta-awarded programmes. No fee is charged to apply for special consideration.

Special consideration is unlikely to apply where an assessment is not time-constrained and can be rescheduled without disadvantage to the student, for example an assignment with a flexible submission window.

2. Applying for special consideration

A student tells LIBT about the circumstance affecting them as soon as possible, and no later than 5 working days after the affected assessment, using the Special Consideration Application Form (Appendix). Where the circumstance is known in advance of the assessment, the student should apply before the assessment takes place. This means an extension or deferral, rather than a retrospective adjustment, can be considered.

3. Evidence

An application must include supporting evidence, for example a medical certificate, a death certificate, or another third-party document confirming the circumstance and, where relevant, its dates. LIBT will only waive this requirement in an exceptional case where evidence genuinely cannot be obtained. The reason for the waiver is recorded in the decision.

4. Decision-making

Applications are decided by the Special Consideration Panel, not by an individual tutor. This ensures similar circumstances are treated consistently across students. The Panel:

• reviews the application and evidence against the criteria in this policy;
• decides on an extension, a deferral of the assessment, or (where the assessment has already taken place) whether the assessment outcome should be reviewed in light of the circumstance;
• records the decision so it is available to the Assessment Group during moderation (see the Assessment Policy); and
• confirms the outcome to the student in writing within 10 working days of receiving a complete application.

A tutor's role is to receive the application and evidence, and to pass it to the Panel. A tutor does not decide the outcome.

5. Appeal

A student who disagrees with a decision under this policy may appeal under the Academic Appeals and Complaints Policy.

6. Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Academic Board. Any change must be checked against the Cross-Reference Map, in particular against the Assessment Policy and the Academic Appeals and Complaints Policy.

Company information: London Institute of Business & Technology Limited (LIBT) Hillary House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, IM1 1EQ, Isle of Man, British Isles.

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Appendix: Special Consideration Application Form

Field
Student name
Enrolment number
Programme/module name/code
Assessment affected
Circumstance (what happened, and when)
Evidence attached
Date submitted

Panel decision Outcome (extension / deferral / review of result / declined): _______ Reasons: _______ Panel signature/date: _______