Examinations
Newcastle University is committed to ensuring that disabled students are assessed appropriately and on equal terms with other students. We endeavour to meet with the QAA Code of Practice for Disabled Students regarding examinations (precept 13):
“Assessment and examination policies, practices and procedures should provide disabled students with the same opportunity as their peers to demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes.”
Therefore, the Examinations and Academic Events section, in consultation with Disability Support, aims to provide a fair and flexible examination system for disabled students.
Reasonable Adjustments in Exams
If you need alternative exam arrangements, the closing dates for supplying your psychological report or medical evidence to the Wellbeing Service are:
Semester 1 – Friday 30th November 2012
Semester 2 – Friday 19th April 2013
Advisers within the Student Wellbeing Service will be able to organise alternative exam arrangements on your behalf, working with the Exams Office in Student Progress. Arrangements will be made on an individual basis and may include, for example:
• extra time
• rest breaks
• use of a computer
• a support worker such as scribes and readers
If, as a disabled student, you think you may require alternative exam arrangements, you will need to discuss this with a Student Wellbeing Adviser. If you have not yet been in contact with the Student Wellbeing Service you should do so as soon as possible. It is important that you are aware of the deadlines as posted above as it may not be possible to meet your requirements if the University is only informed of these at short notice and after published deadlines.
Students applying for alternative exam arrangements are asked to provide the following:
Students with a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or dyspraxia:
• an up-to-date psychologist’s diagnostic report, you must have been aged 16 or older when this diagnostic assessment was carried out.
All other disabled students:
• up-to-date medical evidence, this should be a letter from an appropriately qualified health professional which states how your disability or medical condition impacts on your learning – for example, this may come from a GP, consultant or psychiatrist.
If you are unsure about the type of medical evidence we require, please contact the Student Wellbeing Service who would be happy to discuss this with you and review any evidence you have. Click here for guidance notes on providing medical evidence.
On submission of relevant documentation, your Student Wellbeing Adviser will discuss appropriate exam arrangements with you and will inform the Exam Office accordingly. The Exams Office will e-mail you to confirm the arrangements that have been agreed.
Once adjustments to examination arrangements have been made, in most cases, these will remain in place throughout your studies. If your needs change at any stage, it is important that you contact your adviser as your exam arrangements may need to be reviewed. In the case of temporary disabilities, arrangements will apply for one examination session only.
Temporary Disability:
If you sustain a temporary disability such as a sprained wrist or broken arm, close to your examinations you must complete a PEC form. This should be submitted at least two working days before your examination(s) are scheduled to take place. In this case the Exams Office will try as far as is reasonable to accommodate your requirements. If a temporary disability is reported within two working days of your examination you may be required to take a concession to sit your exams in the next examination period, as ‘first attempts’.
PEC form and guides are available on the Student Progress pages
Click here for a Step by Step Guide to Applying for Reasonable Adjustments in Exams
For further information please see the Examinations Office website.
