Notification of extenuating circumstances
Important information regarding Coronavirus
Read our advice for current students at NTU to find out how the current situation with the Coronavirus pandemic may affect your studies and what NTU is doing to help you adjust to online learning.
If you are self-isolating or you have been diagnosed with Coronavirus please contact your tutor / course leader / School admin for further advice about assessments. It may be that you do not have appropriate evidence at the point when you need to submit a NEC. Please submit whatever you do have, including screenshots from NHS 111. We will share information from NECs that cite Coronavirus as part of our efforts to co-ordinate our work on this.
In these unprecedented times NTU are working hard to ensure students can continue to notify us of any extenuating circumstances, we understand that as a result of the pandemic, students may now experience more issues that are beyond their control and which cannot remedy in ways that might have been able to normally.
We appreciate that it may be difficult to get evidence to support an NEC during the pandemic, however we would still encourage students to continue to complete NECs, when submitting NECs students must still demonstrate the effect that the current circumstances have had with a clear description or explanation as to why the circumstances limit their ability to undertake an assessment, providing evidence if possible.
During the pandemic, it may be that parts of the policy are not applicable, for example, the university has put in place alternative forms of assessments to replace traditional examinations. Where these alternative assessments are time constrained, it will not be possible for an outcome of an upheld NEC to include an extension. Section 5.2a will not apply for these assessments; it will not be possible for students to seek an extension to the start of the timed element or, once started, to seek an extension to the duration of the assessment.
If you need to speak to someone regarding your circumstances, please contact your School Administration Team, contact details can be found on NOW or in your course handbook.
Latest updates are available at MyNTU.
A Notification of Extenuating Circumstances (NEC) form allows you to inform the University that your academic performance has been affected by circumstances beyond your control.
It enables you to seek guidance and support from your Academic School and, as appropriate, from Student Support Services.
Although you may submit an NEC at any time of year, please note that the timing of this notification is important. You must refer to the relevant regulations for more information on the timing of NECs (please see the regulations below).
If your NEC is upheld, then you may be granted an extension or you may be offered the chance to attempt the assessment (e.g. exam) at the next assessment point.
NEC regulations
The NEC regulations refer to the NTU Quality Handbook Section 17A Notification of Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Process 
.
Notification of Extenuating Circumstances Process FAQs
- What is an NEC?
- What are Extenuating Circumstances?
- Am I eligible to submit an NEC?
- How do I submit an NEC?
- What is appropriate evidence for my NEC?
- I don't feel well enough to sit a timed assessment. What do I do?
- I have a disability. Do I need to submit an NEC?
- I need some advice about my NEC. Who can I contact?
- I submitted an NEC. What happens next?
What is an NEC?
A Notification of Extenuating Circumstances (NEC) allows you to inform the University about circumstances beyond your control which have affected or may affect your academic performance.
It enables you to seek guidance and support from your Academic School and, as appropriate, from Student Support Services.
Although you may submit an NEC at any time of year, please note that the timing of this notification is important. You must refer to the relevant regulations for more information on the timing of NECs:
Section 17A: Notification of Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Process
If your NEC is upheld, then you may be granted an extension or you may be offered the chance to attempt the assessment (e.g. exam) at the next assessment point.
What are Extenuating Circumstances?
They are circumstances which are beyond your control. Examples include illness, bereavement, accidents, being the victim of a crime, procedural irregularities, or similar.
Extenuating Circumstances are not problems arising from circumstances within your reasonable control. Examples include IT issues, holidays, travel to exams, and so on.
Am I eligible to submit an NEC?
The NEC process can be used by students on all courses of the University except Research Degree students for whom separate and specific procedures apply (please see the Doctoral school regulations).
Remember, if you submit coursework, sit an exam or attend an assessment event, then you are accepting that your performance will be judged on its merits alongside that of your peers. Where you decide to attend an assessment event you cannot submit an NEC after that event.
How do I submit an NEC?
You can submit an NEC through the online Academic Appeals Portal. For guidance on using the portal, please download the NEC Portal FAQs.
Although you may submit an NEC at any time of year, please note that the timing of this notification is important. You must refer to the relevant regulations for more information on the timing of NECs:
Section 17A: Notification of Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Process
Please make sure you indicate which module(s) are affected, and what outcome you are seeking.
The submission of your NEC form is not evidence in itself. You need to be able to substantiate your case with independent documentary evidence (i.e. something which is not your assertion alone). The evidence should normally be original (i.e. a doctor's note) and not a copy. If you have difficulty with this, then you should contact your School Administrator immediately.
What is appropriate evidence for my NEC?
Examples of appropriate NEC evidence include:
- Medical evidence in the form of a medical certificate, hospital appointment card or similar
- Police Crime Incident Report
- Death certificate
- Independent, professional third party evidence.
In some cases, if you have been receiving regular support from Student Support Services, staff may be able to provide you with a supporting statement to accompany your NEC. However, they will not be able to provide one if you are on a waiting list or if you have not engaged with their support at all.
I don’t feel well enough to sit a timed assessment. What do I do?
If you do not feel well enough to perform to the best of your academic ability, then you need to decide whether or not to sit a timed assessment. If you are, or have been suffering from a self-limiting illness up to seven calendar days prior to the exam, individual presentation or other assessment under timed or other assessment conditions, you can submit a self-certification form.
The self-certification form should be submitted as an attachment with an NEC through the online Academic Appeals Portal:
If your NEC is upheld, you will be given the opportunity to complete the assessment at the next assessment opportunity. Students are advised to consider how they will manage an additional assessment and associated workload during the next assessment opportunity
I have a disability. Do I need to submit an NEC?
Some students may need more time to complete coursework for reasons related to their disability, Mental Health Difficulty or Specific Learning Difference (SpLD). Where a disability or dyslexia officer has identified this need it will be recommended on a Statement of Access, Access Plan or Action Plan.
If you have a Statement of Access with this recommendation in place then you do not need to submit an NEC to request an extension to coursework deadlines. However, Student Support Services recommend that you contact the appropriate member of your course team to agree the length of the extension. Please contact your School Administrator for further information on the most appropriate person to contact in your School.
If you are requesting an extension for reasons not related to your disability or SpLD, then you will need to submit an NEC with appropriate supporting evidence.
If you do not have an agreed Statement of Access and you need more time to complete your assessment due to extenuating circumstances, then you will need to submit an NEC.
If you feel that you would benefit from a referral to Student Support Services, then you may refer yourself. They provide a wide range of services to all students, including Health and Wellbeing support.
I need some advice about my NEC. Who can I contact?
For clarification on the NEC procedure, first contact your School. The appropriate person to advise you might be your Course Leader, Personal Tutor, or School Administrator.
For independent advice you can contact the Nottingham Trent Students' Union Student Advice Service.
For additional support you can contact the University's Student Support Services. A wide range of services, including Health and Wellbeing support, is available to all students.
I submitted an NEC. What happens next?
Depending on the complexity of your circumstances, an NEC Contact (NECC) or NEC Panel (NECP) will review your application and evidence. If your NEC is upheld, you may be offered an extension of five or ten working days, or the opportunity to attempt the assessment at the next available opportunity. Please note that your School will determine the length of the extension and/or the date of the next available assessment opportunity.
You will be informed by email via the portal of the outcome of your submission, usually within five working days. You can log in to the portal at any time to see the progress of your submission. You will be notified of the Boards of Examiners' decision, normally within 10 working days of the Board of Examiners' Meeting.
If you have any queries, contact your School Administrator.
