Special Consideration Guide for Graduate Students enrolled in the Melbourne Graduate School of Management
a) Special Consideration
b) Assistance for Ongoing Conditions
c) Alternative Exam Arrangements
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Special Consideration
For students who have been significantly affected by illness or other serious circumstances (not ongoing) during the semester or during the exam period.
Who can apply?
Students who have been significantly affected by illness or other serious circumstances during the semester may be eligible to apply for Special Consideration.
Before lodging a special consideration application you should consider the following:
An application for special consideration will only be considered if:
- your work during the semester has been hampered to a SUBSTANTIAL degree by illness or other cause; or
- you have been prevented by illness or other cause from preparing or presenting for part or all of a piece of assessment (includes examinations); or
- you were to a SUBSTANTIAL degree adversely affected by illness or other cause during the performance of a piece of assessment (includes examinations), and
- the circumstances were beyond your control.
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What is considered serious?
Examples are if you were hospitalised, if there has been a death in your immediate family or you have a life threatening disease.
If you have an ongoing medical condition, you should contact the Disability Liaison Unit who can help you manage your studies and make special arrangements as appropriate (see Assistance for Ongoing Conditions).
Missing examinations
You are strongly advised to attend your examinations unless you are physically incapable of doing so. Missing an examination does not automatically entitle you to a special examination. If you do not attend an examination, the HCAP form must state that you were physically incapable of attending the exam on that day.
Students who intend to miss exams due to travel plans are warned that this is not grounds for Special Consideration and they will not be eligible for a Special Exam or Alternative Exam Arrangement.
How and when to apply
To apply for special consideration, you must complete the application online at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/cgi-bin/special-consideration.pl and return the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) Form to the University. Postgraduate students need to submit their supporting documentation to:
Special Consideration Manager
Melbourne Graduate School of Management, Faculty of Economics & Commerce
The University of Melbourne
Level 4, Alan Gilbert Building
161 Barry St, Parkville 3010
Before completing an online application students must read the ‘Special Consideration Guidelines for Submission' available at https://sis.unimelb.edu.au/functions/special-consid/info/SubmissionGuidelines.html
Time limits apply
- You must submit your online application either no later than 3 working days after the due date for submission of the particular component of assessment to which your application refers, or
- no later than 3 working days after the date specified for the final component of assessment for the subject if your work during the year was hampered by illness or other cause, or
- if you are submiting one application for multiple subjects, you must submit the application within 3 working days of the due date for submission for the subject with the earliest submission date for the last piece of assessment.
You have 5 working days from when you lodge your online application in which to return the HCAP Form to the University. Applications lodged without supporting documentation cannot be considered.
Applications lodged after these time limits will be considered late. When the Faculty receives late applications for special consideration they are forwarded to the Office of the Academic Registrar. It is this Office that determines whether the application should be accepted or not. Please note: late applications may not be considered.
Supporting documentation
You must provide supporting evidence of the circumstances for which you seek special consideration. It is unlikely that your application will be approved without supporting documentation. Supporting documentation can be submitted using the Health Care or Appropriate Professional (HCAP) form. A medical practitioner, counsellor, Minister of Religion or other appropriate professional can complete this form.
In order for the Faculty to make an assessment of how your circumstances have effected you, we need to know the impact, severity and timing. It is in your interest to provide us with this information in a full and complete manner.
Consideration of applications
All applications for special consideration for subjects taught by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce will be considered by a Faculty Committee comprising:
- the Associate Dean or nominee and
- two senior academic staff members.
A Faculty Officer (Course Advisor) will provide administrative support to the Committee.
The Committee will make one of the following recommendations to subject coordinators using the Guidelines to Academic Staff for Reviewing Applications for Special Consideration (which can be viewed on the Student Administration website):
- you are to be offered additional assessment (a special examination in the majority of instances);
- no action is to be taken;
- In some special instances, your mark may be adjusted.
If you have applied for special consideration for a subject taught by another faculty, you will need to check the consideration process for the subject with that faculty.
How and when will I be notified of the outcome of my application?
You will be formally advised of the outcome of your application for Special Consideration via your University email account.
If you have lodged an application for special consideration you MUST check your University email account regularly.
When will I receive notification?
Special Consideration meetings will be held twice each semester and outcomes will be emailed to students on:
Semester 1, 2008: 2 and 8 July
Semester 2, 2008: 3 and 9 December
If you are awarded a Special Examination, you will receive a minimum of 48 hours notice of this exam via email to your University email account.
Special Examinations cannot be rescheduled. Therefore if you do not attend a special examination your original mark will stand.
All students are reminded that they are required to remain in Melbourne and be contactable by the University until after the final date for the release of results.
If you have applied for special consideration for a subject taught by another faculty, you will need to check the notification process (including for sitting special exams, if offered) with the relevant faculty.
Special Exam Dates
Semester 1, 2007: 8 July - 18 July
Semester 2, 2007: 9 December - 19 December
Note: supplementary exam dates published by other Faculties do not apply to the scheduling of Economics & Commerce special exams.
Can I appeal the outcome of my application?
There is no formal appeal process. Objections to decisions need to be submitted in accordance with University grievance procedures that can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/grievances/
Grievances must be lodged within 10 working days of the special consideration decision. Additional supporting documentation will only be considered if it is demonstrated that such information could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the application.
If you have read the Grievance Policy and wish to submit an appeal you can do so in writing. Please include your full name and student number and please sign the letter. The letter should be addressed to -
Chair, Special Consideration Committee
Faculty of Economics and Commerce
The University of Melbourne
Level 4, Alan Gilbert Building
161 Barry St, Parkville 3010
Assistance for Ongoing Conditions
The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) provides a range of support and advice to students with ongoing, fluctuating and temporary conditions such as mental health conditions, chronic illness, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, neurological conditions and learning disabilities.
If you have a disability that you believe will have some impact on studying independently and successfully, then you may like to make an appointment to discuss your needs with a Disability Liaison Officer.
The DLU works with students to identify strategies that enhance participation. This is achieved by implementing reasonable adjustments that enable students to participate in study and be assessed on their knowledge and skills.
Some of the services the DLU may provide are:
- Liaison with academic staff
- Academic Support Workers (e.g. notetakers, exam supports, AUSLAN interpreters)
- Equipment loan
- Alternative Examination Arrangements
- Course Materials in Accessible Formats
- Preparation of a Disability Impact Statement to facilitate access to services and adjustments from other University staff
- Referral to internal and external service providers
This is not a comprehensive list of services. It is best to discuss your requirements directly with the DLU to tailor services to meet your needs within the University context. You can find their contact details here: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Alternative Exam Arrangements
There are a range of circumstances that do not fall under Special Consideration guidelines in which students seek alternative times for scheduled examinations. Examples include family, work and sport commitments. Procedures to be followed for such requests and guidelines for the granting of alternative examination times are described in the attached Alternative Exam Arrangements (PDF, 132kb) document.
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Contact us
Enquiries about Special Consideration for graduate students for Economics & Commerce subjects should be directed to:
Special Consideration Manager
e-mail: pg-specialconsid@unimelb.edu.au
telephone: 8344 1671/ 2171
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