Negotiating extensions
At the beginning of each study period you will be provided with the due dates of assessment tasks in the courses for which you are enrolled. Assessment tasks are those study tasks for which you receive a mark or grade and may include:
- written assignments
- oral presentations
- studio work
- experiments
- field trips.
You are expected to complete your assessment tasks by the due dates set out in your course information which your lecturer or Course Coordinator will provide by the end of the second teaching week. Sometimes, however, circumstances may arise which prevent you completing an assessment task (or tasks) by the due date. You may then want to apply for an extension. Answers to frequently asked questions about extensions are below.
- Am I eligible for an extension?
- Who do I contact?
- Are extensions granted in the same way for each course?
- How do I apply for an extension?
- How long can I get?
- What happens after I apply?
- What if it is an external course?
- What if I am a transnational student?
- What if I have a disability?
- What if I have a personal issue?
- What if my request for an extension is refused?
Am I eligible for an extension?
University policy states that variations to the assessment timeline may be based on medical, compassionate or religious observance grounds, or community service e.g. elite athletes, jury duty, Defence Forces leave (Assessment Policies and Procedures Section 3). The Course Coordinator will decide whether you are eligible for an extension. It is very important for you to check course information for details about extension procedures as they vary between courses. Keep in mind that applications for extensions can be refused.
Who do I contact?
University policy states that you need to negotiate changes to assessment tasks with the Course Coordinator (Assessment Policies and Procedures Section 3). However in some courses lecturers and tutors can grant extensions. Check your course information (given to you in a booklet or available on your course website by the end of the second teaching week) for information about who to apply to. If there is no information in the course information, apply to the Course Coordinator.
Are extensions granted in the same way for each course?
No. Practices about extensions vary between Schools, Programs and Courses. Practices about extensions may include:
- requesting an extension on a form available from the School Office
- applying to your Course Coordinator
- applying to your tutor
- submitting your request by email
- no extensions are available
- documentation is required.
Check your course information (given to you in a booklet or on your course website by the end of the second teaching week) for information about extensions. Check out the processes about extensions for each of your courses and note any differences.
How do I apply for an extension?
Check your course information (given to you in a booklet or on your course website by the end of the second teaching week) for details about how to apply for an extension. If your course information does not provide guidelines, follow university policy which is:
Applications for extensions must be lodged with the Course Coordinator before the due date for the assignment and supported where appropriate by documentary evidence (Assessment Policies and Procedures Section 3).
You will then need to:
- State clearly your reasons for your request (Remember that you can request an extension on medical, compassionate, religious or community service grounds - Assessment Policies and Procedures Section 3).
- Provide supporting evidence where appropriate e.g. medical certificate, documentation from Learning and Teaching Unit staff, newspaper notice etc.
- Contact your Course Coordinator in person, by email, or phone before the due date
- Explain why you are requesting an extension and what supporting documentation you can provide
- Request an extension until a date which is realistic (e.g. you will have enough time to complete the assessment task) and reasonable (e.g. normally within days rather than weeks).
How long can I get?
How long an extension will be granted will depend on a number of factors including:
- your course
- the assessment task
- the reasons you are applying for the extension.
It is also possible that your application for an extension will not be successful.
What happens after I apply?
Once you have lodged a request for an extension (the request needs to submitted before the due date), the Course Coordinator, lecturer or tutor will make a decision and respond to you, normally within two working days. At that time you will usually be informed about whether your application for an extension has been granted and, if your application has been successful, the new due date.
What if it is an external course?
The processes for applying for extensions for internal and external courses are the same, so please refer to the directions above for details on applying for an extension.
What if I am a transnational student?
If you are a transnational student (that is, studying with UniSA in your home country) check with your home institution about its policies for extensions in your UniSA course.
What if I have a disability?
A disability that is temporary, permanent or fluctuating may prevent you from submitting assessment tasks by due dates. You can contact a Disability Adviser at the Learning and Teaching Unit to develop an Access Plan. This will help you negotiate course requirements, including due dates for assignments, with University staff.
What if I have a personal issue?
If you have a personal issue that has prevented you submitting an assignment by a due date you can apply for an extension on compassionate grounds. It is useful for you to attach supporting documentation from a person such as a counsellor, a social worker or a police officer. The documentation does not need to provide confidential information but does need to support your request for an extension.
What if my request for an extension is refused?
If your application for an extension has been refused you may still be able to submit your work. From your course information find out about late submission and penalties (e.g. some courses have a 5% mark deduction per day for late submission). You may decide to submit incomplete work or accept a late penalty. If you believe you were eligible for an extension but it was not granted you can contact your Course Coordinator, Program Director, or the Student Advisory Officer in UniSA Students Association