We know that serious things that have happened, or are happening, in your life can have a big impact on your studies. These are called extenuating circumstances. It’s important that you let us know about any extenuating circumstances so that we can take them into account when we assess your application.
Examples of extenuating circumstances
These are some examples of situations that we would appreciate having more information about during the application process:
- if you have a serious acute or chronic medical condition, such as leukaemia
- death of a close family member, such as a parent, legal guardian, child, sibling or partner
- being a victim of serious crime, such as a physical assault
- the impact of ongoing medical conditions, disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health conditions. You can also declare these on your UCAS application. You will be asked about any adjustments you might need for interview (like extra time) at a later stage, so you don't need to submit those via the Extenuating Circumstances Form
- someone stealing your work
- experiencing a terrorist incident, war
- if you’re a refugee or have an asylum background
- experiencing a natural disaster, such as an earthquake
- experiencing a major fire in your home
- if your family experienced a breakdown, for example your parents got a divorce
- if you are estranged from your family, which means you’re not in touch with them
- being evicted from your home
- experiencing racial trauma, or race-based traumatic stress
- significant and ongoing caring responsibilities, for example caring for a close family member
- jury service or attending court or tribunal as a witness, defendant or plaintiff
Situations that are not usually extenuating circumstances
There are some situations that you don't need to let us know about. For example:
- disruption to your education because of Covid
- minor illnesses or injuries, such as colds, headaches, hay fever
- stress, related to taking exams or assessments
- financial problems or employment issues
- Visa problems
- not revising and preparing on time
- going away somewhere, for example on holiday
How to tell us about your extenuating circumstances
Please ask your teacher, doctor or care worker to advise the College that is assessing your application.
If you are reporting minor issues or things that happened a long time ago and there is no one who can complete it for you, you can write to the College yourself.
If the information you wish to tell us about has already been provided by your referee in your UCAS reference, you do not need to contact us separately.
Deadlines to submit extenuating circumstances information
The information should be submitted to the College you’ve applied to around the same time as your UCAS application.
Deadlines for submitting this information will be confirmed later in 2025.
How to submit information
When your teacher, doctor or care worker contacts the College considering your application to make them aware of any extenuating circumstances, they should let them know:
- whether you are aware of, and content with, this information being shared on your behalf. We will be unable to consider the information provided unless they specifically confirm that you, as the applicant, are content with this. The information provided will potentially be shared with relevant staff in the Colleges and the University
- your full name and UCAS personal ID (check the UCAS website for more information)
- the course you have applied for
- the name of the person providing the information and their relationship to you (eg teacher or doctor or social worker)
- the contact details of the person providing the information
- the relevant extenuating circumstances and, if appropriate, any educational disruption these may have caused