All details on the official academic record are the enduring record of the student's academic activities while enrolled at the University and are not subject to change, except under limited provisions for a change to final results, as determined under the General Award Rules (Final results).

You will find a link to the General Award Rules on the University Rules page. In order for such a change to be approved, it is necessary for a student to demonstrate that extenuating circumstances beyond their control, and not related to their academic ability or diligence as a student, impacted negatively on their academic performance in the semester in question. Most cases considered under this provision involve students either failing to complete a course or being awarded a failing grade for a course. In these circumstances a student might request that their final grade be changed to ‘W - withdrawal without academic penalty’

 

Eligibility requirements
Students who apply to the President of the Academic Board for a change to a final result must show that all of the following requirements are met and supply independent supporting documentation. The President must be satisfied that:

1. the student concerned has demonstrated that exceptional circumstances warranting the change exist; and
2. the student could not have sought the change earlier; and
3. if the change is made, academic standards will not be lowered; and
4. making the change would not be unfair to another student.

The President may change a final result to another final result only if the change is made within one year of the release of the final result to be changed.

When establishing that extenuating circumstances beyond their control existed, students are expected to identify how their situation made it impracticable for them to take advantage of the provisions of the relevant rules, such as withdrawal without academic penalty during semester or applying for extensions for assessment items or special examinations. For more information, please refer to After finalisation of results section of the ‘Withdrawing from a program or course’ page.

Special circumstances might include:

Medical reasons
Medical reasons must be supported by an original or certified copy of a medical certificate that substantiates the severity and duration of the illness and the impacts it had on the student’s ability to undertake their studies during the time period in question. Medical certificates should be written by a doctor who is not a near relative or close associate of the student. If a medical certificate has been provided by a close relative, the University may seek independent comment/opinion or require the student to produce another certificate from an unrelated practitioner.

Family or personal reasons
Family or personal reasons must be supported by an original or certified copy of a document from the student’s family doctor or counsellor that substantiates his/her claim.

Employment related reasons
Employment related reasons will not usually be accepted as exceptional circumstances. However, where a student is employed full time, and is directed to undertake unusual or additional duties that prevent them from fulfilling their obligations as a student, consideration may be given. However, such cases must be supported by an original letter from the student’s employer that substantiates his/her claim and makes it clear that undertaking the additional duties was beyond the control of the student.