Mitigating Circumstances
The process to submit a Mitigating Circumstances application has recently changed. You are now required to complete an online form. You can access the application form via this link
If an unexpected situation occurs, which affects your ability to undertake an exam or a written or practical assignment, you have the opportunity to inform the University that this affected your capacity to complete the exam.
What does 'Mitigating Circumstances' mean?
A serious or significant event or situation that you could not anticipate which directly affected your performance in an examination or assignment. For example, an unexpected serious health issue, family bereavement, severe disruption within your exam.
Warning! You will need to provide evidence to show that this unexpected event or situation occurred. The University will expect you to demonstrate how the event or situation affected your performance.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT: Seeking feedback and guidance on your application contact independentadvice@bpp.com before you submit your entire application online.
CHECKLIST - What do I do next?
If you decide to submit a Mitigating Circumstances application, you need to do the following:
- Submit before the deadline: You have 10 working days from the date of the exam or assignment deadline to make sure that your application is submitted online to the Office of Regulation & Compliance (ORC).
- Create an Account. The process to submit an Academic Appeal application has recently changed. You are now required to do this online and you will need to register a new account to submit your application form. This account is NOT linked to your BPP VLE account, so you will need to register if it is your first time using this system. You can create an account by clicking here. Please then select 'My Applications' on the left hand side of the page after you have logged in. Scroll down until you find the application named 'BPP University Mitigating Circumstances'.
- Gather your evidence immediately: You need to make sure that you have evidence to support your application and that it contains key details such as dates and times that the unexpected event / situation occurred. If it is not an email, the evidence needs to be signed by the author.
- If you are feeling ill, go and see your GP as soon as you can, preferably on the day and obtain written evidence from them of your appointment, what was diagnosed and if medication was prescribed. You will need to use this as evidence.
- Inform your Programme Leader or Programme Support Officer on the day if possible. Do this by email and get a read receipt to confirm that they have seen it. You can use this as evidence.
- Write a strong statement: Many applications fail because they do not fully explain what occurred. If you cannot explain how and why this affected your performance and link this to the evidence you provided, your application is likely to be rejected.
Please click here to learn about how to submit your application.
What happens next?
Once submitted, your application will be considered by an ORC officer within 10 working days from the date submitted online to determine if the information provided by you presents a prima facie (on the face of it) case that satisfied the threshold for a valid mitigating circumstances application.
If a valid prima facie case is established, your application will be presented to the Mitigating Circumstances Panel for consideration.
All correspondence regarding your Mitigating Circumstances application will be sent via email to the account you provide in your online submission.