Special Consideration
- Who can apply?
- What is considered serious?
- Missing Examinations
- How and when to apply
- Supporting documentation
- Consideration of applications
- How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
- Can I appeal the outcome of my application?
- Questions?
Special Exam Dates
Semester 1: 8 July - 18 July
Semester 2: 9 December - 19 December
Please note that supplementary exam dates published by other Faculties do not apply to the scheduling of commerce special exams.
Who can apply?
Students who have been significantly affected by illness or other serious circumstances during the semester may be eligible to apply for Special Consideration.
Before lodging a special consideration application you should consider the following:
An application for special consideration will only be considered if:
- your work during the semester has been hampered to a SUBSTANTIAL degree by illness or other cause; or
- you have been prevented by illness or other cause from preparing or presenting for part or all of a piece of assessment (includes examinations); or
- you were to a SUBSTANTIAL degree adversely affected by illness or other cause during the performance of a piece of assessment (includes examinations), and
- the circumstances were beyond your control.
top of pageWhat is considered serious?
Examples are if you were hospitalised, if there has been a death in your immediate family or you have a life threatening disease.
If you have an ongoing medical condition, you should contact the Disability Liaison Unit who can help you manage your studies and make special arrangements as appropriate.
Missing examinations
You are strongly advised to attend your examinations unless you are physically incapable of doing so. Missing an examination does not automatically entitle you to a special examination. If you do not attend an examination, the HCAP form must state that you were physically incapable of attending the exam on that day.
Students who intend to miss exams due to travel plans are warned that this is not grounds for Special Consideration and they will not be eligible for a Special Exam or Alternative Exam Arrangement.
How and when to apply
To apply for special consideration, you must complete the application online at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/special-consideration.pl and return the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) Form to the University.
Postgraduate Students in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce should contact the Melbourne Graduate School of Management regarding their application for Special Consideration in the first instance.
Before completing an online application students must read the ‘Special Consideration Guidelines for Submission' available at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/functions/special-consid/info/SubmissionGuidelines.html
Time limits apply
- You must submit your online application either no later than 3 working days after the due date for submission of the particular component of assessment to which your application refers, or
- no later than 3 working days after the date specified for the final component of assessment for the subject if your work during the year was hampered by illness or other cause, or
- if you are submiting one application for multiple subjects, you must submit the application within 3 working days of the due date for submission for the subject with the earliest submission date for the last piece of assessment.
You have 5 working days from when you lodge your online application in which to return the HCAP Form to the University. Applications lodged without supporting documentation cannot be considered.
Applications lodged after these time limits will be considered late. When the Faculty receives late applications for special consideration they are forwarded to the Office of the Academic Registrar. It is this Office that determines whether the application should be accepted or not. Please note: late applications may not be considered.
Supporting documentation
You must provide supporting evidence of the circumstances for which you seek special consideration. It is unlikely that your application will be approved without supporting documentation. Supporting documentation can be submitted using the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form. A medical practitioner, counsellor, Minister of Religion or other appropriate professional can complete this form.
In order for the Faculty to make an assessment of how your circumstances have effected you, we need to know the impact, severity and timing. It is in your interest to provide us with this information in a full and complete manner.
Consideration of applications
All applications for special consideration for subjects taught by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce will be considered by a Faculty Committee comprising:
- the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) or nominee and
- two senior academic staff members.
A Faculty Officer (Course Advisor) will provide administrative support to the Committee.
The Committee will make one of the following recommendations to subject coordinators using the Guidelines to Academic Staff for Reviewing Applications for Special Consideration (which can be viewed on the Student Administration website):
- you are to be offered additional assessment (a special examination in the majority of instances);
- no action is to be taken;
- In some special instances, your mark may be adjusted.
If you have applied for special consideration for a subject taught by another faculty, you will need to check the consideration process for the subject with that faculty.
How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
You will be formally advised of the outcome of your application for Special Consideration via your University email account.
If you have lodged an application for special consideration you MUST check your University email account regularly.
If you are awarded a Special Examination, you will receive a minimum of 48 hours notice of this exam via email to your University email account.
Special Examinations cannot be rescheduled. Therefore if you do not attend a special examination your original mark will stand.
All students are reminded that they are required to remain in Melbourne and be contactable by the University until after the final date for the release of results.
If you have applied for special consideration for a subject taught by another faculty, you will need to check the notification process (including for sitting special exams, if offered) with the relevant faculty.
Can I appeal the outcome of my application?
There is no formal appeal process. Objections to decisions need to be submitted in accordance with University grievance procedures that can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/grievances/grievances.html
Grievances must be lodged within 10 working days of the special consideration decision. Additional supporting documentation will only be considered if it is demonstrated that such information could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the application.
If you have read the Grievance Policy and wish to submit an appeal you can do so in writing. Please include your full name and student number and please sign the letter. The letter should be addressed to -
Professor Greg Whitwell
Associate Dean (Academic Programs)
Faculty of Economics and Commerce
Babel Building
University of Melbourne 3010
Questions?
Email commerce-specialconsid@unimelb.edu.au or telephone 03 8344 5317.