Special Consideration

If your work has been affected by illness or any other serious cause, you can apply for special consideration. Serious causes include psychological conditions, death of a close family member, relationship breakdown, loss of employment or any other hardship that has affected your studies.

1. Introduction
2. What is Special Consideration and what are Deferred Exams?
3. How to Apply
4. Appeals
5. Non-English Speaking Background Students
6. For further, university-wide information

1. Introduction

Monash University has a general policy on how Special Consideration is to be granted, and who is eligible to receive it. The faculties have also adopted differing policies and procedures in relation to special consideration applications, so you must approach your faculty for specific advice. Note that difficulty with English is not a ground for special consideration, although there may be provision for additional help. Students having language difficulties should consult Language and Learning Services.

2. What is Special Consideration and what are Deferred Exams?

If you have been severely affected as a result of trauma, grief, or illness, you can apply for special consideration in the assessment of your overall subject or particular pieces of work, for example, exams. One form of special consideration that may be granted is the sitting of a deferred exam if you were unable to sit your exam or complete it properly at the scheduled time. Other possible outcomes include an extension of time, an additional assessment, or the adjustment of your grade for the overall subject. The Board of Examiners for each Faculty is responsible for making a decision regarding the success and nature of each individual’s Special Consideration application. You should be aware that if an overall adjustment to your marks is deemed appropriate, a maximum adjustment of four marks will generally apply to an individual assessment. The Faculties are each responsible for setting their own special consideration regulations (in line with University policy).

3. How to Apply

Special Consideration Application forms are available from your faculty office or from the Student Rights Office. The application must be accompanied by documentation that supports your claim of a serious cause. If illness has affected your performance you must have a certificate from a qualified practitioner or psychologist that states precisely what your condition was/is. The certificate should be as detailed as possible. Other forms of documentation include a statement from a counsellor, a police report and insurance claim, death certificate and obituaries.

The standard of documentation required by the university is very strict to ensure that only students who have genuinely been disadvantaged benefit from Special Consideration. All information contained in an application for special consideration is treated confidentially by the faculty and will only be viewed by designated faculty personnel.

You should take the original plus one copy of your application and accompanying evidence to your faculty office. The forms will then be stamped by the Faculty and the copy returned to you as proof of the submission of your application. Keep your copy somewhere safe in case you need it again.

Applications must be returned to your faulty office within 48 hours of your last exam. Applications will generally not be accepted after this time. In exceptional circumstances you should consult the Associate Dean of Teaching.

Normally students are not notified of the outcome of an application for special consideration, unless an extension or deferred examination has been granted. If you have been given a deferred exam it is your responsibility to be available to sit the exam.

4. Appeals

Generally speaking there is no avenue to appeal a decision made in relation to your application for special consideration. If however you believe that your application was not given due consideration, you can pursue the matter through your faculty’s Grievance Procedures

5. Non-English Speaking Background Students

Students from Non-English Speaking backgrounds (NESB) may apply to their faculty in their first two semester of study to be given additional time or a dictionary in their exams. To be eligible for this consideration, students should have sought the assistance of the Language and Learning Service during the semester, and submit a written request to the faculty before week 11. There is no automatic right to be allowed to take a dictionary into an exam- it must first be formally granted by the faculty

6. For further, university-wide information, see

Faculty Policies
You should familiarise yourself with the University’s and your Faculty’s policy and procedures by viewing the relevant online Student Resource Guide chapters at: http://www.monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/srg/

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please email your Student Rights Officer at
studentrights.msa @adm.monash.edu.au


	Special Consideration If your work has been affected by illness or any other serious cause, you can apply for special consideration. Serious causes include psychological conditions, death of a close family member, relationship breakdown, loss of employment or any other hardship that has affected your studies. 1. Introduction 2. What is Special Consideration and what are Deferred Exams? 3. How to Apply 4. Appeals 5. Non-English Speaking Background Students 6. For further, university-wide information 1. Introduction Monash University has a general policy on how Special Consideration is to be granted, and who is eligible to receive it. The faculties have also adopted differing policies and procedures in relation to special consideration applications, so you must approach your faculty for specific advice. Note that difficulty with English is not a ground for special consideration, although there may be provision for additional help. Students having language difficulties should consult Language and Learning Services. 2. What is Special Consideration and what are Deferred Exams? If you have been severely affected as a result of trauma, grief, or illness, you can apply for special consideration in the assessment of your overall subject or particular pieces of work, for example, exams. One form of special consideration that may be granted is the sitting of a deferred exam if you were unable to sit your exam or complete it properly at the scheduled time. Other possible outcomes include an extension of time, an additional assessment, or the adjustment of your grade for the overall subject. The Board of Examiners for each Faculty is responsible for making a decision regarding the success and nature of each individual’s Special Consideration application. You should be aware that if an overall adjustment to your marks is deemed appropriate, a maximum adjustment of four marks will generally apply to an individual assessment. The Faculties are each responsible for setting their own special consideration regulations (in line with University policy). 3. How to Apply Special Consideration Application forms are available from your faculty office or from the Student Rights Office. The application must be accompanied by documentation that supports your claim of a serious cause. If illness has affected your performance you must have a certificate from a qualified practitioner or psychologist that states precisely what your condition was/is. The certificate should be as detailed as possible. Other forms of documentation include a statement from a counsellor, a police report and insurance claim, death certificate and obituaries. The standard of documentation required by the university is very strict to ensure that only students who have genuinely been disadvantaged benefit from Special Consideration. All information contained in an application for special consideration is treated confidentially by the faculty and will only be viewed by designated faculty personnel. You should take the original plus one copy of your application and accompanying evidence to your faculty office. The forms will then be stamped by the Faculty and the copy returned to you as proof of the submission of your application. Keep your copy somewhere safe in case you need it again. Applications must be returned to your faulty office within 48 hours of your last exam. Applications will generally not be accepted after this time. In exceptional circumstances you should consult the Associate Dean of Teaching. Normally students are not notified of the outcome of an application for special consideration, unless an extension or deferred examination has been granted. If you have been given a deferred exam it is your responsibility to be available to sit the exam. 4. Appeals Generally speaking there is no avenue to appeal a decision made in relation to your application for special consideration. If however you believe that your application was not given due consideration, you can pursue the matter through your faculty’s Grievance Procedures 5. Non-English Speaking Background Students Students from Non-English Speaking backgrounds (NESB) may apply to their faculty in their first two semester of study to be given additional time or a dictionary in their exams. To be eligible for this consideration, students should have sought the assistance of the Language and Learning Service during the semester, and submit a written request to the faculty before week 11. There is no automatic right to be allowed to take a dictionary into an exam- it must first be formally granted by the faculty 6. For further, university-wide information, see Monash Special Consideration Policy Standard University Special Consideration Application Form Extra exam time for NESB students Faculty Policies You should familiarise yourself with the University’s and your Faculty’s policy and procedures by viewing the relevant online Student Resource Guide chapters at: http://www.monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/srg/ If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please email your Student Rights Officer at studentrights.msa @adm.monash.edu.au