Student Requirements

Regardless of which version of the Award you are doing, according to University regulations, it is your responsibility to tell your Award leader as soon as possible about any special circumstances which may adversely affect your performance or ability to meet Award deadlines.  

This will allow your circumstances to be taken into consideration and help you continue with the Award.

The Edinburgh Award uses the University Special Circumstances Policy although there is a separate application process which is outlined below.

Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Bereavement through the death of a close relative, partner or close personal friend​​​​​​;
• serious short-term physical illness or injury; this includes sudden worsening or a  flare-up of a chronic physical health issue;
• serious short-term mental illness; this includes sudden worsening or a flare-up of a chronic mental health issue;
• victim of a crime whose impact upon a student is serious; this includes the experience of sexual or gender-based violence and harassment;
• adjustments for a disability have not been made in time for a course assessment, where the student can demonstrate that the delay is not their responsibility;
• exceptional personal circumstances, e.g. events that result in a serious impact on a student’s ability to engage during the period in question; this includes unexpected changes to caring responsibilities, and breakdown of a long-term relationship;
• for students in paid employment, an exceptional and significant change in their employment commitments, where this is beyond their control;
• other exceptional circumstances that have affected, or will affect the student's ability to meet a deadline or complete an assessment. Such circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may include military service, military conflict, natural disaster or extreme weather conditions;

Examples of circumstances that are unlikely to be accepted include:

• the pressure of academic work;
• employment commitments;
• a short-term, self-certificated illness, such as a common cold.

We realise that in some circumstances you might find it difficult or embarrassing to disclose these matters to the University.  We wish to assure you that the University will respect the confidential nature of your declaration and will ensure that only those members of staff connected with the Edinburgh Award who need to be made aware of your circumstances will be advised of them.

Important:  If your circumstance does not fall into one of the categories in the first list you should still inform your Award Leader as soon as possible as they may be able to make an allowance for you if they are informed in advance, though this cannot be guaranteed. This will be determined by your Award leader and your individual circumstance.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, or health condition which may affect your participation in the Edinburgh Award you can choose to disclose this to your Award Leader(s) of this, it is suggested that if you do wish to share that information that you do this as close to the start of your time on the Award as possible.  

If you have a learning profile or are registered with the Disability Service you, can choose to inform your Award Leader of this if you think it may affect your participation in the Edinburgh Award.

Of course, you do not have to disclose any information you do not want to, but if you choose not to then we can't guarantee that an adjustment will be made.

Unfortunately, adjustments cannot be made retrospectively. If you fail to complete a requirement of the Edinburgh Award as a result of a disability, learning difficulty or health condition but do not inform your Award Leader in advance then, in line with University policy, you will be unable to continue with the Award.