This page applies to all disabled students with a Support Plan created by the Disability Support Services. These guidelines set out the arrangements for organising the effective assessment of disabled students.
2.0 Key Principles
2.1 Overview
As part of its commitment to disabled students, the University believes that assessment methods will be appropriate to academic objectives of the course and minimise any impact of a student’s condition on performance in assessment. This means that some students may require alternative arrangements (‘accommodations’) for examinations or other assessments. For some students these will be described in their Support Plans. Students without Disability Support Plans can also discuss accessibility with their tutors.
The University aligns with the Quality Assurance Agency's Quality Code for Higher Education. In particular the University is attentive to the following Principle: “Provides design assessments that test learning outcomes and are fair, reliable, accessible, authentic and inclusive. Where applicable, and sustainable, students are offered different options for undertaking assessments to promote accessibility and inclusion”. At the same time, the rigour and comparability of the assessment must be protected with the effect that one academic standard is applied to all students.
Wherever possible, disabled students must undertake the same assessments as others on their course.
2.2 Determination of alternative assessment arrangements for formal examinations
Specific provision may be necessary for students with Disability Support Plans for formal examinations. Some examples of adjustments can be found in the 'Related Regulation, Policies and Procedures' section below, where you will also find marking guidelines for students using exam stickers.
2.3 Determination of alternative assessment arrangements for coursework and other assessments
Students must not be required to make a disclosure of their name on cover sheets for coursework in order to allow them the same opportunities for anonymity that are available to other students. However, where there are requests for alternative forms of assessment or for extensions to deadlines, relevant staff may have to be informed of the accommodation.
The University recognises that the production of written work may present particular challenges for some disabled students and has made provision for additional specialist support for these students. Therefore, the coursework of students with a Disability Support Plan is marked following the same criteria as that applied to all students. Students with a Disability Support Plan can request that Schools clarify their marking criteria so that they are aware of any penalties imposed for inaccurate spelling or poor presentation.
Extensions to deadlines are deemed ‘a reasonable adjustment’ and will be one of the recommendations made by Disability Support Services in the Disability Support Plan shared with Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) and other relevant colleagues, which students must request (using the correct process - see below) in order to access the extension.
It is also possible that a small number of disabled students may require an alternative form of assessment for coursework and examinations on occasion.
3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
The University will ensure that policies and procedures for requesting accommodations to assessment and examinations are widely publicised and easy for students to follow and will endeavour to apply them consistently across the institution. It is the University's responsibility to give students opportunities to disclose their disability and to ensure appropriate confidentiality. Students must be aware, however, that in order for alternative arrangements to be implemented, relevant staff will need to be informed of the disclosure. The main mechanism by which disabled students receive specific accommodations is through the issuance of a Disability Support Plan
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the University is aware of their disability and to apply for any accommodations in assessment conditions within deadlines which are established for this purpose. Any request must be supported by appropriate evidence. The links for how to submit evidence in relation to your request can be found in the 'Related Regulation, Policies and Procedures' section below
It is also the responsibility of the student to request an extension to a coursework deadline
Disability Support Services are responsible for recommending reasonable adjustments after consultation where appropriate with relevant University staff or bodies.
Student services are responsible for implementing alternative arrangements for students (as outlined in their Disability Support Plan) for examinations controlled centrally.
Schools are responsible for implementing alternative arrangements for students (as outlined in their Disability Support Plan) for examinations which are held by Schools independently or where it involves another form of assessment.
4.0 Procedural Steps for Students
Alternative arrangements for formal examinations can be made in discussion with Disability Support Services who liaise with the central exam team and assessment teams.
Students requesting a deadline extension must complete and submit the Coursework Extension Request Form (CERF) (available in the ‘Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures’ section below).
If a disabled student requires an alternative form of assessment for coursework and/or examinations, there will be consultation between the School, the student and Disability Support Services to discuss and agree options that align with both the learning objectives and reasonable adjustments.
Information for students who wish to request alternative arrangements for assessments is available on the Alternative Exam Arrangements website, the link for which can be found in the ‘Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures’ section below.
5.0 Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures
6.0 Version Control Table
Version Control Table
| Version Number | Purpose/Change | Approving Committee | Date |
|---|
| 1.0 |
Reformatted to align with new University of Nottingham Policy Management Framework based on content last modified on 06/08/2024 |
QSC |
February 2025 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|