Preparing to launch the new Delayed Assessment Scheme system

Background

For 2024-25, a new policy, the Delayed Assessment Scheme, will be introduced. Approved by Education Committee, following significant consultation with Faculties and Departments, this has been created in partnership with Faculties, Student Registry Services, Students’ Union UCL and education teams across UCL.

• What is the Delayed Assessment Scheme? The Delayed Assessment Scheme is a policy that allows students to use a maximum of 3 permits per year to get automatic mitigation on a chosen assessment, such as a 5-working day extension or a deferral. 
• How is the Delayed Assessment Scheme different from Extenuating Circumstances? Extenuating Circumstances (EC) are for emergencies that are sudden, unexpected and beyond the student's control. EC submissions require evidence and can result in different types of mitigation. The Delayed Assessment Scheme does not require evidence or minimum grounds and has fixed mitigation for each assessment. 
• Why was the scheme developed? The Delayed Assessment Scheme was developed to support students in balancing their studies, student life and wellbeing. It also aims to reduce the frustration and administrative burden of the previous self-certification policy, which had a high workload, high approval rate but varied mitigation for different students and questionable authenticity. 
• What are the limitations of the scheme? Whilst there are no minimum grounds, the Delayed Assessment Scheme is more restrictive in its use than self-certification. Not only is the mitigation fixed for each assessment, but the scheme does not apply to group work, and other assessments can be exceptionally excluded from the scheme. Students can also only defer up to 30 credits of exams.  
• How do students use the scheme? Students can see the eligible assessments and the predetermined flexibility for each one on Portico. They can notify UCL via Portico that they are using one of their 3 Delayed Assessment Permits (DAPs) before the assessment deadline and no more than two weeks in advance. They will also be asked to give a reason for using a permit so they can be signposted to relevant support. 

Support and guidance for staff and students

Students will be able to submit DAPs on the new workflow on Portico from 30 Sept. 

From 19 Sept, staff with access to the Data Quality Reports section on the Awards, Assessments and Achievements page on Portico will see a link to the Delayed Assessment Scheme Quick view and will be able to view the DAPs reporting functionality (note that searches will return 0 results until students start to use the system).

Staff support and guidance

• Staff Townhall on Wednesday 18th September at 2pm: During this session, we will provide an overview of the Delayed Assessment Scheme policy, process and system developments and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.  Complete the Delayed Assessment Scheme Townhall sign-up form to register your interest and receive an invitation.
• Our updated Student and Registry Services webpages provide guidance and Frequently Asked Questions for staff about the Delayed Assessment Scheme.

Student information and guidance

• The Student Support Framework (chapter 2 of the Academic Manual) has been updated to reflect the introduction of the Delayed Assessment Scheme and the removal of self-certification from ECs.
• 30 September:

New Delayed Assessment Scheme student webpages to be published including how to guidance for submitting a DAP on Portico and FAQs.

Existing EC student guidance and FAQs will be updated to remove reference to self-certified ECs.

• 17-23 October: Student news article, social media story and DAS explainer video covering FAQs, the importance of the scheme and why it will benefit them.  

Contact details for further information: apqs@ucl.ac.uk