Disabled students can request up to 5 additional working days to complete assessed coursework including essays and dissertations.
This adjustment doesn’t apply to:
Assessments with short deadlines (where there are less than 3 weeks between the assessment details being released and the submission deadline)
Written exams (both in-person and online)
Oral presentations (both individual and group)
Any reference to 'day' or 'working day' in this article excludes weekend days, public holidays and university closure days.
If you have a diagnosed Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) or a medical condition that may affect your ability to complete coursework, you can apply for Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA). Please read our article Guidance for applying for Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA) for further support.
How do I submit a request for a 5-working-day extension?
If you need to request an extension for a specific assessment, you must submit a Mitigating Circumstances Form (MCF).
Please bear in mind that extensions aren’t automatically granted and that you must submit a separate MCF for each assessment you wish to request an extension for.
You must follow these steps each time you request a 5-working-day extension:
Log in to Student Records
Select Student Home Page from the banner at the top of the page
Select My Mitigating Circumstances within the My Modules area
Select New Request under Submit a new Mitigating Circumstances request
Choose Extension Granted by PAA from the Nature of Circumstances drop-down list
Complete the form with the relevant details.
What happens after my request is submitted?
Once you’ve submitted your MCF, the outcome will be sent to your King’s email address by your department/faculty. This normally happens within 5 working days of submission.
If you have any questions about the status of your request, please contact your department/faculty as Disability Support & Inclusion doesn’t have access to mitigating circumstances requests and can’t provide updates on your application.
Important to know: Some departments/faculties may award more than 5 working days of extension depending on their policy. However, you will be offered a minimum of 5 working days. If you think you may need more than 5 working days, please contact your department/faculty directly to check their policy on longer extensions.
Common questions about the application process
I'm a King's Online student, can I apply for PAA and 5-working-day coursework extensions?
Yes. All disabled students with a KIP can apply for 5-working-day coursework extensions. However, extensions may not be possible for assessments with short time frames. To learn more about the support available to disabled students, please read our article What disability support is available for me at King's?
Is there a limit on how many 5-working-day extension requests I can make?
You can request one 5-working-day extension per assessment. However, there is no limit on how many different assessments you can request extensions for.
If you receive a 5-working-day extension and later find you need additional time, you’ll need to submit a new MCF under a different category. You must provide details of your circumstances and appropriate supporting evidence.
Important to know: Some departments may offer an extension that is longer than 5 working days for administrative reasons or to align with assessment cycles. You may submit your work at any point during the agreed extension period.
What about assessments with short deadlines?
The 5-working-day extension only applies to assessments where deadlines are set at least 3 weeks in advance.
For timed tests and exams, extra time is available where appropriate. However, assessments with short time frames (including 24-hour online examinations) usually include additional time for all students, meaning no further adjustment is needed.
Can I request a 5-working-day extension for a dissertation?
Yes, you can request a 5-working-day extension for a dissertation.
Can I request a 5-working-day extension for a presentation or portfolio?
A 5-working-day extension is only available for written work that you are required to submit.
If your presentation or portfolio includes a written component that must be submitted, you may request a 5-working-day extension for that written submission only.
Important to know:
Verbal presentations cannot be extended under this arrangement. If you are unable to present at the scheduled time, you should contact your Personal Tutor.
A 5-working-day extension cannot be applied to assessment components that are used to confirm attendance, participation, engagement, placement completion, professional competencies, or supervisor sign-off requirements.
This means that while you may be able to extend the deadline for submitting the written element of a portfolio, you cannot use the extension to delay any associated requirements that must be completed by the original deadline.
Examples of requirements that cannot be extended include:
Placement sign-off forms
Project engagement sign-off forms
Attendance or participation requirements
Practice or competency sign-offs
If circumstances have affected your ability to meet these requirements, you should submit a Mitigating Circumstances request rather than a 5-working-day extension request.
My tutor has set a task due next week and won’t provide an extension - why?
Assessments with short time frames are not covered by the 5-working-day extension arrangement. These assessments are designed to allow sufficient time for all students to complete them, including those who may require additional time.