Examinations and coursework
Extra time and other examination access arrangements
The purpose of setting up an examination access arrangement is to relieve candidates of any disadvantage that may arise if the examination were conducted under standard conditions. Any arrangements made for candidates will not give an unfair advantage over those taking their examination under standard conditions. Information about the forms of exam arrangements available, and how to apply, can be found on the Cambridge Students website.
Avoiding plagiarism and academic misconduct
Plagiarism is defined as submitting as one's own work, irrespective of intent to deceive, that which derives in part or in its entirety from the work of others without due acknowledgement; or, in the case of self-plagiarism, unless explicitly permitted by regulation, submitting one's own work that has already been submitted for assessment to satisfy the requirements of any other academic qualification, or submitted for publication without due acknowledgement. It is both poor scholarship and a breach of academic integrity. Further information about avoiding plagiarism can be found at: https://www.plagiarism.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-plagiarism/students-responsibilities.
Other forms of academic misconduct, and the consequences of engaging in them, are included in the University's Rules of Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures.
Extensions to coursework
If you need to apply for an extension to a submission deadline for assessed work, because you have been impacted by illness or serious personal circumstances, you should contact the course administrator in the first instance. Short deadlines which would not impact on the dates on which your marks would be considered by the Exam Board and Degree Committee can be considered locally. You may be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as a doctor's letter. For longer extensions, you should initiate an application for an extension via your CamSIS self-service account.
If your results have been (or will be) impacted by illness or unforeseen circumstances
If you have been been, or are likely to be, unable to undertake part or all of your examination, or you have failed part or all of your examination because of illness or other serious and unforeseen cause (such as serious illness of a close family member), then your College may apply for an Examination Allowance, on your behalf. Examination allowance applications will not be considered for instances of attending job interviews or participation in sporting events.
An examination allowance does not affect the marks received. Its purpose is to allow candidates a chance to obtain the qualification they have been registered for, if the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee accepts that their performance in the examination has been affected by serious mitigating circumstances.
If you are dissatisfied with your results
The University has robust policies in place to ensure that all examination results are accurate. However, something unusual may have taken place in the examination and you may want to check that the examiners were aware of the circumstances and that they have been taken into account. The term 'examination' can include any assessment you submit, which will receive marks that are counted towards your Univeristy of Cambridge award.
If you have taken any University of Cambridge examination, including a PhD probationary examination and believe that:
- a procedural irregularity in the examination process has adversely impacted on your examination results; or
- demonstrable bias or the perception of bias has occurred within the examination process; or
- the withdrawal of academic provision, which had adversely impacted on your examination results and of which the Examining Board were not aware.
you can request that your examination results are reviewed using the Examination Review Procedure.