RMP: Coursework Length, Delays, Extensions and Special Considerations
Coursework Length
In response to student demand for greater clarity, a consistent approach towards overlength work has been adopted across the Faculty. Where relevant and appropriate, assignment length will be stipulated as either a word limit (ie 2000 words) or as an acceptable word range (ie 1800 to 2200 words). Your work will be overlength if you go even one word over the stipulated length or upper limit. There are no complicated penalties to apply. Instead, overlength work will be addressed through marking only that portion of work that falls within the word limit. Your mark will be based on this portion of your work with the result that the mark will usually be lowered.
Your individual module leads will provide further details via their Blackboard sites. This approach to overlength work does not apply if a piece of work has no word limit, however, you should attend to any length guidance given by your module leads.
Delay in Coursework Submission
When coursework is set a due date for submission will be specified and there will be associated penalties for handing in work late.
The University has a uniform policy for the late submission penalty for a piece of assessed work worth 10% or more of the final module mark.
Work submitted up to 5 days after the deadline should be marked as usual, including moderation or second marking, and feedback prepared and given to the student. The final agreed mark is then reduced by the factors in the following table.
Requesting the Extension of a Coursework Deadline
For more guidance on extension requests including examples of the exceptional circumstances likely to be accepted/rejected and examples of evidence required, please see the University’s official Guidance.
Here is the procedure for requesting an extension:
- The maximum extension that can be applied for is usually two weeks. If two weeks is not sufficient then you will need to discuss this with someone from the Psychology PG Student Support team (psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk).
- You should complete the Extension Request form and submit it together with supporting documentation to the Student Office (psyc-studentoffice@soton.ac.uk) and to Psychology PG Student Support (psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk).
- Extension request forms must be submitted before the assessment deadline, ideally at least 48 hours in advance.
- Once the form is received, the extension will be approved or rejected by Psychology PG Student Support as soon as possible (usually within two working days).
- Once the deadline is approved, the form will be processed by the Student Office to add the extended deadline to the assignment submission system.
- Until you have received the outcome of your request from Psychology Student Support, please assume that the original deadline stands. You will be informed of your new deadline or that your request has been declined as soon as possible.
- If an extension is approved and you feel that the assignment was still affected by your circumstances, please submit the Special Considerations Request form.
If you cannot for some valid reason promptly complete and submit the relevant form, then please notify the Student Office (Email: psyc-studentoffice@soton.ac.uk) and Psychology PG Student Support (Email: psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk). Alternatively, arrange to have someone else either contact these parties or submit the form on your behalf.
If you have any questions about the extension process, or need additional academic or pastoral support as a result of your exceptional circumstances, please do contact the Psychology PG Student Support team (psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk).
Work submitted late and accompanied by a special considerations form will be marked as usual and the penalties applied in the above table. The Special Considerations Board would then meet to consider the circumstances and decide whether the original mark or a penalised mark should stand. The Board of Examiners ratifies the recommendation of the Special Considerations Board. Please see the section on Special Considerations for further information.
Special considerations
The University has a well-established process for the consideration of exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances arise outside of your reasonable control and prevent you from either demonstrating or acquiring the skills, knowledge or competencies required to meet the learning outcomes associated with a module or programme of study. These circumstances may have a negative effect on your performance for example in coursework or examinations, or your ability to meet a deadline, or to sit an examination.
To submit a request for Special Considerations you are required to complete a copy of the Special Considerations Request form and submit it together with supporting documentation to the Student Office (psyc-studentoffice@soton.ac.uk) and to Psychology PG Student Support (psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk). The Special Considerations Board will consider your circumstances and make recommendations to the Board of Examiners who will normally ratify these recommendations.
For more guidance on special considerations including examples of circumstances likely to be accepted/rejected and examples of evidence required please see the University’s official Special Considerations Guidance.
If you have any questions about the special considerations process, or need additional academic or pastoral support as a result of your exceptional circumstances, please do contact the Psychology PG Student Support team (psy-support-pg@soton.ac.uk).