Individual Extenuating Circumstances

 

Individual Extenuating Circumstances (IECs) describes conditions which temporarily prevent a student from taking an assessment(s) or significantly impair a student’s performance in an assessment(s). The MTU/CIT policy dealing with Individual Extenuating Circumstances Relating to Examinations and Assessment can be found here. A guide has been produced for students to help explain the processes and procedures for dealing with IECs. This guide is intended to detail the University’s provision and support for students who experience IECs.

 

It is important to outline the principles that govern the University’s approach to IECs:

  • MTU/CIT is at its core a student centred University and for this reason it seeks to provide every support possible to allow its students to achieve their true potential. This policy is intended to address circumstances which impact directly and negatively on a student’s assessment performance. This policy is not intended to provide compensation for all challenging and difficult circumstances a student may experience.
  • Any provision or action in relation to IECs should have due regard for the University’s obligation to ensure fair and consistent treatment for all its students.
  • It is essential that the integrity of the University’s academic standards is not undermined by any action or provision in relation to IECs.

What are Individual Extenuating Circumstances?

The document, What are Individual Extenuating Circumstances, gives detailed guidelines to allow students to understand what are considered to be valid IECs. IECs are generally extraordinary in nature and must be unexpected; be beyond the student’s control; and have a significant impact on assessment performance. In general IECs are judged by their impact on the student’s performance in specific assessment(s) and not the impact on the individual.

 

Getting Help with Individual Extenuating Circumstances

As a general principle all claims in relation to IECs should be initiated by the student. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that she/he understands and engages with the University’s IECs procedures.

In seeking help in relation to IECs students should familiarise themselves with the MTU/CIT students guide to IECs and the document titled What are Individual Extenuating Circumstances.

 

Submitting a Formal IEC Claim

IEC forms are to be submitted directly to your Head of Department.

 

An online form is available through the button below which will allow you to inform your lecturer/s and Head of Department of any IECs which you feel are impacting on your study. Examples of such circumstances include: death of a close relative, illness of self or close family member, sudden disruption of your personal life.

 

Please note as follows:

  1. At this time, the scope of the Univeristies IEC Policy has been extended to include Individual Extenuating Circumstances relating to COVID-19 and IT issues. However, and as explained above, IECs must: be unexpected; be beyond the student’s control; and have a significant impact on assessment performance.
  2. In accordance with the University’s policy, please note that the demands of paid or unpaid employment will not normally be considered to be valid IECs. All students, particularly full-time students, should note this very carefully.
  3. Appropriate supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate) will normally be required in support of IEC claims. 
  4. Should you wish to submit a claim in relation to IECs, then it is very important to note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you complete and submit the online IEC form  at the earliest possible opportunity.
  5. If there are issues anticipated with an upcoming assessment or exam for any reason OR if you have more generalised IT issues, then please contact the relevant departmental staff/IT Servicedesk in the first instance as there still may be a way to accommodate for this. 

If, having read this information and the IEC Policy, you believe that your particular circumstances constitute IECs, then you should you complete and submit the online IEC form at the earliest possible opportunity.  Once you submit the form, you will receive an email requesting you to submit supporting evidence. Your completed IEC form and supporting documentation will be forwarded to your department for consideration by all relevant lecturer/s and/or Examination Board/s.

 

 

Complete IEC Form >>