Special Consideration

The following Special Consideration guidelines apply to all FIT undergraduate and postgraduate (coursework) students whose work during a teaching period or whose performance in an examination or other assessment has been affected by serious illness or other exceptional cause beyond their control.

Eligibility to apply

The eligibility for Special Consideration is stated in the university policy.
These include:

serious illness or psychological condition – e.g. hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. Does not include minor illness such as a mild cold.
loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family relationship breakdown.
hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.
those students demonstrating relevant obligations to military or jury service or service to emergency services such as the Country Fire Authority, and
elite athletes registered with Monash Sport’s athlete support program participating in a key event

Outcomes

Under the revised University Special Consideration policy there will be no mark adjustments under any circumstances. Possible outcomes may include

a deferred exam
additional/alternative assessment
extension to submission deadline
no action recommended

If you have already sat the examination during the University’s examination period and you are subsequently granted a Deferred Exam, the results of your original exam will be void and this original result will not be released.

How to apply

In semester assessment (assessments submitted during semester)
Students requesting special consideration for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit an Application For Extension Of Time For Submission Of An Assessment Task form directly to their unit leader within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days.

End of Semester (final piece of assessment for semester eg. examination)
Students must lodge the special consideration form with supporting documentation to their School office or Caulfield Service Centre (Caulfield Students only) within two working days of the assessment due date or their last exam scheduled in their examination period. Students must lodge the original application and supporting documentation plus one copy for each unit that special consideration is requested for. Students will be notified of the outcome of their application via the Web Enrolment Systems (WES).

Note: students who are offered a deferred examination must ensure they are available to sit the examination during the university deferred examination period.

Supporting documentation

Students must provide appropriate strong evidence and documentation to support a special consideration application.

Supporting documentation can include:

For medical reasons:

medical certificate that CLEARLY states that the student was UNABLE to attend an examination/assessment on that day. Statements that “student is unfit for school or studies” WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. OR
Completion of Professional Practitioner Statement section in the Monash Special Consideration application form which MUST state that student can not attend exam.

For non-medical reasons:

written statements and statutory declarations from student or relevant people;
evidence provided by professionals who are registered with a professional body, such as social workers, medical practitioners, lawyers and psychologists;
death notice or certificate; or
a police report.

Documentation signed by family members are not acceptable.

Further information

Detailed information regarding the university special consideration policy and procedures are outlined in the following documents: