Students are advised to refer to the Electronic Course Profile for information regarding whether an extension to progressive assessment is possible for each course, and whether the Application For Extension of Assessment form is to be used for applying for an extension to a piece of progressive assessment.

Introduction

• The submission of progressive assessment material on the due date is the responsibility solely of the student. Students should not leave assignment preparation until the last minute and must plan their workloads so as to be able to meet advertised or notified deadlines.
   
• The University does recognise, however, that on occasion illness or other medical conditions may impair a student’s ability to complete items of progressive assessment by the due date.
   
• These guidelines set out the consequences for students of non-completion of items of progressive assessment and the circumstances under which extensions may be sought.
   
• Extensions will only be considered in respect of illness or other certified medical condition, or exceptional circumstances. See below for information on what constitutes an exceptional circumstance. It is the policy of the University, that under normal circumstances neither pressures of work (whether university studies or external work) nor other events or commitments are a sufficient reason for an extension.
   
• These guidelines apply only to items of progressive assessment that are other than invigilated examination based assessment (including mid semester examinations).

Extensions to progressive assessment

• Medical circumstances:
  Where the failure to submit the item of assessment on the due date is because of an illness or other medical condition impairing the student’s ability to complete the assessment, the student may, on the presentation of an appropriate medical certificate, be granted an extension of the due date for submission without penalty.
  Applications for extension must be made either:
   
  • by the due date for the assessment; or
  • by the application for extension to progressive extension due date as listed in Section 5.3 of the Electronic Course Profile of the course concerned, unless the illness or other medical condition is such that the student cannot reasonably be expected to have applied by the appropriate due date.
     
  Any extension will usually be limited to the number of days (calculated to the nearest business day) the student is suffering from the medical condition as indicated on the medical certificate, provided that no extension may exceed the length of time prescribed in Section 5.3 of the Electronic Course Profile. Students who have been ill or otherwise impaired for more than 14 days in the semester are advised to consider carefully their ability to successfully continue in the course. Students are advised to refer to myAdvisor should withdrawal without academic penalty be an option.
   
• Exceptional circumstances:
  In exceptional circumstances, an extension in respect of an item of progressive assessment may be granted for non-medical reasons. For this purpose, exceptional circumstances may include:
  
  
  • a sporting or cultural commitment at state, national or international level (refer to University Policy, HUPP 3.40.15 Programs and Assessment for Elite Athletes); or
  • serious personal or emotional trauma; or
  • in very exceptional circumstances, an important planned family or social commitment; or unavoidable and last minute work commitment for which the student could not have reasonably rearranged their academic workload.
     
• Non-permissable circumstamces
  Extensions will not be granted where the relevant Course Coordinator/Program Director is not satisfied that the student took reasonable measures to avoid the circumstances that contributed to the student being unable to submit the progressive assessment.

  Matters such as those listed below are not grounds for an extension:

  • arrangements (including overseas travel); or
  • misreading a due date; or
  • social and leisure events, including family commitments and sporting or cultural commitments (other than at state, national or international representative level)

Applications for extensions

• Medical grounds: Applications for extension on medical grounds shall be made by lodging the Application for Extension of Progressive Assessment form and supporting documentation at the location outlined in Section 5.3 of the Electronic Course Profile for the course concerned.
   
• Exceptional circumstances: Applications for extension on the grounds of exceptional circumstances shall be made to the relevant Course Coordinator/Program Director by lodging the Application for Extension of Progressive Assessment form and a personal statement outlining the grounds for the application at the location and by the due date outlined in Section 5.3 of the Electronic Course Profile for the course in which this application is made. If the exceptional circumstances are such that the student cannot reasonably be expected to have complied with these conditions, a case should be made as to why these conditions could not be met.
   
• Outcome of application: Students will be advised of the outcome of their application via their student email. 

Students with a disability

Students who have a chronic health condition are recommended to seek assistance from a Disability Advisor, UQ Student Services, and refer to University policy, HUPP 3.40.7 The Provision of Alternative Academic Arrangements for Students with a Disability.

Penalty for overdue progressive assessment

Where an item of progressive assessment (including essays, assignments, case studies, laboratory reports, take home examinations, etc) is not submitted by the due date and time, a penalty will be levied at the rate specified in Section 5.3 of the Electronic Course Profile of the course concerned. For example, a penalty may be the loss of 10% of the marks available for the assessment item per day (or part thereof) that the assessment is overdue.