The new Delayed Assessment Scheme

You deserve support that empowers you to thrive, even when unexpected challenges arise. The new Delayed Assessment Scheme will make a positive difference in your academic experience by giving you the freedom to navigate these difficulties without compromising your academic performance. The scheme aims to cultivate a healthy and resilient approach to studies by giving you the tools to access flexibility when needed.

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Education Officer, Shaban Chaudhary, breaks down the Delayed Assessment Scheme with Student Journalist, Antara Basu. 

What is the Delayed Assessment Scheme? 

The Delayed Assessment Scheme entitles all taught students to access up to three Delayed Assessment Permits (DAPs) each academic year. This will grant a guaranteed pre-determined mitigation for certain eligible assessments.  

What mitigations are provided? 

This will differ depending on your assessments but typically, each DAP will entitle you to: 

• an extension of five working days for coursework assessments including dissertations or, 
• a deferral –– usually to the Late Summer Assessment (LSA) period –– for exams or fixed-time remote activity type assessment. 

Faculties and departments have the option to exclude low weighted assessments (less than 10%) from grade calculation and some assessments might not be eligible under the scheme or might offer alternative mitigation. This information is available on Portico. 

How do I use a Delayed Assessment Permit? 

You can submit a DAP on Portico no more than two weeks before the standard deadline for the affected assessment.  

All eligible assessments will be visible on Portico, and you can notify UCL through Portico that you will be using one of the permits. All submissions should be made before the deadline for an assessment or the start time for an exam. Even if you have used a DAP, you can choose to submit your assessment before the extended deadline. 

While there are no minimum grounds to submit a DAP and receive an extension or deferral, you will have to record the reasons for requesting mitigation to make sure that you are properly supported and given relevant resources.  

Are there any constraints to the scheme? 

• A DAP is only valid for one eligible assessment. You cannot use more than one DAP on an assessment. For example, you cannot use a second DAP to claim a successive extension on the same assessment. 
• The mitigation is pre-determined and you cannot request alternative mitigation.
• DAPs cannot be withdrawn once submitted. For example, if you have a deferral on an exam, then you should not attempt the exam during its standard date. 
• DAPs cannot be used for groupwork assignments and cannot be used to defer exams of more than 30 credits.
• You cannot use a DAP in addition to extensions granted by ECs.  

When should you use a DAP? 

You can use a DAP on any eligible assessment when needed.  

Reasons to use a DAP include minor illnesses like hayfever, coughs and colds, or minor mental health and wellbeing difficulties such as temporary and manageable stress/anxiety, which are not considered valid grounds for an EC claim.  

You can use a DAP when you simply might need a bit of extra time due to other commitments.  

How does the new system affect ECs? 

The scheme will continue to work alongside the EC system with some modifications. Students are still encouraged to submit an EC request for emergencies and circumstances beyond your control so that you can receive proper support.  

DAPs have now replaced self-certified ECs.  

Moving forward, all EC requests will need to be supported by evidence. If you have exceptional circumstances, the requirement for evidence might be waived by the relevant faculty. 

In the past, self-certification allowed undergraduate (UG) students to make two claims and postgraduate-taught (PGT) students to make three claims per academic year, covering any number of assessments within a two-week period per claim.  

The Delayed Assessment Scheme now grants all students three permits, but each permit will apply to one individual assignment only.  

An extension under this scheme is guaranteed (if that is the pre-approved mitigation for the module) unlike self-certified ECs where an EC panel would review the claim.  

Mitigation under the scheme is fixed and the length of extensions cannot be changed. 

Why is the scheme replacing self-certify ECs? 

Over the years self-certified ECs have provided necessary and critical support, but they have also been anxiety-inducing for students waiting on a decision from the EC panel.  

We understand that the assessment periods can be busy and stressful and while managing your time is an essential skill, student life can be chaotic and unpredictable, upending your meticulously planned days, social events, errands and assignments. These challenges can affect deadlines and, more importantly, your overall wellbeing, which is crucial for student success and performance.  

Replacing self-certify ECs with DAPs means you can manage your time around assessments more easily without it having a negative impact on your wellbeing. 

The new scheme provides greater flexibility, increases your autonomy as a learner and reduces unnecessary delays in the process of granting extensions. 

How is the new system affecting SoRAs? 

If you have a pre-existing SoRA, you can use a DAP in addition to your SoRA extension. However, you should submit a DAP before the standard deadline for the assessment and not your extended SoRA deadline.  

Should I submit an EC or a DAP? 

It is essential to choose the correct procedure so that UCL can provide you with the appropriate mitigation and support. You should submit an EC claim in case of emergencies, in circumstances that are sudden, unexpected and beyond your control.  You can refer to the Grounds for Extenuating Circumstances guidance for a list of types of circumstances.  

You should use a DAP when you simply need a bit more time for assessments and you are not necessarily experiencing significant disruption beyond your control. This could also include grounds which are not normally considered for EC claims such as a minor illness or a cold.  

What to do if you have a query about the scheme? 

Contact your department if: 

• you change your mind after submitting a DAP (keep in mind that you cannot withdraw a DAP once submitted).
• you have submitted a DAP when you should have submitted an EC claim.
• you have questions about a mitigation. 

UCL’s guide to the Delayed Assessment Scheme