Special consideration - MLM subject(s) only

This procedure should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the University's Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326).

The guidelines and procedures presented on this page do not apply for JD or Breadth subjects. Students should refer to the special consideration – JD/Breadth.

Students undertaking Melbourne Law Masters subjects who experience acute, short-term circumstances which impact upon their capacity to complete a piece of assessment are advised to apply for special consideration.

Eligibility

Students may be considered eligible for special consideration if they can demonstrate exceptional or extenuating circumstances outside their control that have impacted upon their capacity to complete academic requirements.

Students can apply for special consideration in relation to the following types of assessment:

  • Take-home examinations
  • Research papers
  • Attendance/participation requirements
  • Any other assessment as outlined in the handbook entry.

Potential circumstances

  • Short-term illness
  • Hardship or trauma, such as (not exhaustive) bereavement, family violence, accident or injury
  • Religious observance
  • Emergency service volunteers
  • Additionally, MLS may on a case-by-case basis use its discretionary capacity to provide adjustments to students who can demonstrate that they have been affected by exceptional employment commitments. The student must provide independent verifiable evidence of these commitments. This can be a written statement from a human resources representative from the student’s place of employment and/or a statutory declaration. These circumstances must be unforeseen and above and beyond the demands of their usual role. Student in these situations are advised to apply for Special Consideration as per the usual process.

Students will be considered in-eligible for special consideration in the following circumstances:

  • Computer failure
  • Public transport delays
  • Personal events such as weddings or birthdays
  • Minor ailments or illnesses, where you are still capable of completing the assessment
  • Travel plans or delays related to personal travel
  • Conflicting assessments or closely scheduled assessments between elective and compulsory subjects. If there is a direct conflict in assessment dates for compulsory subjects, students should notify the Academic Support Office via law-assessment@unimelb.edu.au.
  • General employment commitments.

How to apply

Students should not apply for apply for special consideration directly to the Student Academic Adjustment and Wellbeing Officer or to their lecturers/subject coordinators. Lecturers/subject coordinators do not provide outcomes for special consideration applications. Students will be advised to submit a formal application.

Any advice provided by a lecturer/subject coordinator regarding outcomes for special consideration is not considered official and students are advised to await receipt of their formal outcome provided as a result of their special consideration application.

Applications should be submitted within four (4) working days of the assessment due date/time.

Apply for Special Consideration (unexpected circumstances)


Outcomes

Step 1

Special consideration applications are firstly assessed by Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS) to determine if they are eligible for special consideration based on the official supporting documents provided by students.

Step 2

Successful applications are then forwarded to Melbourne Law School to determine the outcome for each piece of assessment.

  • Supervised examination

    If a student is considered eligible for special consideration in relation to a supervised examination, the usual outcome is the award of a special exam.

    Students are advised to attempt exams if it is physically safe to do so. MLS can provide no guarantees about the outcome of a special consideration application.

  • Take-home examinations

    If a student is considered eligible for special consideration in relation to a take-home exam, there are two outcomes available:

    • Where the assessment specified in the University handbook for the subject offers a choice between a take-home examination and research paper, the student will be offered the opportunity to complete the research paper. They will be offered an extension to support completion of the research paper. The length of the extension will be based upon the time lost compared to other students, as well as the impact of the circumstances upon their capacity to complete the assessment.
    • Where a take-home examination is the primary piece of assessment, the student may be awarded a special take-home exam. Special exams will not be awarded unless approved by the Chair of the Board of Examiners. In the instance where a special exam is not possible, the student will be considered for a late withdrawal. Students may be contacted to submit additional evidence.

    Students are advised to consult with the Student Academic Adjustment and Wellbeing Officer (law-wellbeing@unimelb.edu.au) regarding the date of release of the special take-home exam. The special take-home exam is marked to the full value of marks available for that take-home exam.

    Students are advised to attempt exams if it is physically safe to do so. MLS can provide no guarantees about the outcome of a special consideration application.

    Students who apply, and are assessed as eligible for, a second special consideration (‘special on special’) application will receive a late withdrawal from the subject as the normal outcome.

  • Essay/research papers

    Where a student is seeking an extension to the due date of an essay/research paper they have two options:

    • If the student is seeking an extension of 10 days or less, they should apply for an extension.
    • If the student is seeking an extension of 11 or more days, they should submit a special consideration application. Please note that the maximum permissible extension is 20 working days (Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays excluded) from the original due date/time

    Extension requests beyond this period may be considered for alternative outcomes, which may include late withdrawal.

    Pending special consideration outcome

    Extension requests via special consideration are processed within 5 – 7 working days. If a student has not received an outcome by the original due date/time of the assessment, they should email a copy of their work to date to law-assessment@unimelb.edu.au.

    Information to include in the email:

    • Student ID,
    • Subject code and name, and
    • The following statement: “This is a partial submission of my work and I am awaiting an outcome from an extension and/or special consideration application”.

    Students should continue working on their assessment until receiving an outcome from their special consideration application.

    Approved extension outcome

    Students with an approved extension should submit their work via the LMS. The LMS will state the original due date/time, but students should upload their assessment regardless. MLS will note your extension and will not apply late penalties.

    If a student has difficulties uploading their assessment to the LMS, they should email a copy to law-assessment@unimelb.edu.au before the submission due date/time. Students should ensure to attach a copy of their extension approval email.

  • Attendance/participation requirements

    Students are advised to refer to the University handbook to determine if the subject has an attendance hurdle requirement. In the instance where a student is unable to attend class due to a mitigating circumstance, they may apply for special consideration. If the student is considered eligible, the Student Academic Adjustment and Wellbeing Officer and Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) will review the application and determine if it is possible to waive the hurdle requirement.

    Where the student has missed more than 1.5 days of class (over a five (5) day period) then they will be considered for a late withdrawal.

  • Late withdrawals

    A late withdrawal is the retrospective withdrawal of a student from a subject. The withdrawal is back dated to the last date to withdraw (for the particular subject) and the student will receive a WD grade on their transcript.

    It is each student’s responsibility to manage their enrolment and promptly seek assistance if they encounter difficulties. Key withdrawal dates are advertised on the University Handbook for each subject.

    Where circumstances have had a significant impact upon the student’s ability to successfully complete the subject, and have occurred or worsened on or after the last date to withdraw, students must firstly submit a special consideration application and be considered eligible by Student Equity and Disability Support (SEDS).

    A late withdrawal is only considered in the most significant of situations which:

    • Are beyond the student’s control
    • Make their full impact on, or after, the last date to withdraw, and
    • Make it impracticable to pass the subject, and
    • Are unusual, uncommon or abnormal.

    All of the above criteria must be met for a late withdrawal to be considered.

    Detailed evidence must be provided which confirms all criteria.

    Evidence must be provided on letterhead from an independent authority, eg doctor, psychologist, social worker. Statutory declarations will not be considered sufficient evidence; however, they can be considered in addition to official supporting documentation.

    Medical reasons

    A statement from a doctor stating:

    • The date the medical condition began or changed
    • How the condition affected the student's capacity to study
    • When it became apparent that the student would not be able to continue with their studies.

    Family/personal reasons

    A statement from a doctor, counsellor or independent member of the community (eg Minister of Religion) stating:

    • The date the personal circumstances began or changed;
    • How the circumstances affected the student's ability to study; and
    • When it became apparent the student could not continue their studies.

    Employment-related reasons

    A statement from the employer, stating:

    • Usual demand of student’s role;
    • Demands of the role for the period the student is seeking a late withdrawal;
    • Previous hours of role, and;
    • Hours of work during period for which the student is seeking a late withdrawal.

    Once the Student Academic Adjustment and Wellbeing Officer is satisfied that the circumstances meet the eligibility criteria, the application will be forwarded to the Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) for final approval. The Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) has overarching responsibility for approving these requests.

    It should be noted that approval for a late withdrawal does not automatically entitle the student to fee remission for that subject. There are additional criteria used in the assessment of fee remission applications.

Appealing/reviewing outcome

If a student feels there are grounds for a review of the outcome provided, they may seek a review within five (5) working days of their formal outcome.

Request review of outcome

Students should continue to work on their assessment until receiving an outcome from their review request, and they should email a copy of their work to date to law-assessment@unimelb.edu.au by the original due date/time.

Information to include in the email:

  • Student ID,
  • Subject code and name, and
  • The following statement: “This is a partial submission of my work and I am awaiting an outcome from an extension and/or special consideration review”.