Late Submission of Undergraduate Coursework and Dissertations

The Department takes the view that coursework and dissertations should in the normal course of events be submitted by deadlines. It is unjust that some students should have a longer time to prepare coursework than others. Secondly, it is an important part of university education that students learn to timetable their work. And thirdly, marking coursework is very time-consuming, and staff, like students, need to be able to plan their work.

Penalties for late submission

Coursework and dissertations are part of the formal examination process. The Department follows the University’s rules on the late submission of work, which stipulates the following:

Students who started their second year BEFORE October 2011

Work not completed by the stated deadline and without an agreed extension should lose 10 marks if it is between one and seven days late (e.g. if the deadline is on Monday 19 March at 2.00pm, a penalty of 10 marks is applied to work submitted after 2.00pm on Monday 19 March and up to 2.00pm on Monday 26 March).

Work more than seven days late and without an agreed extension should be awarded zero (e.g. if the deadline is on Monday 19 March at 2.00pm, a mark of zero is awarded to work submitted any time after 2.00pm on Monday 26 March). 

(Work submitted after the seven days will be marked – but recorded as zero. The coursework can subsequently provide useful feedback to the student and if necessary be used as supplementary evidence at the final board of examiners.)

 

Students starting first or second year in October 2011

Work not completed by the stated deadline and without an agreed extension should lose one full grade if it is between one and three days late (e.g. if the deadline is on Monday 19 March at 2.00pm, a penalty of one full grade is applied to work submitted after 2.00pm on Monday 19 March and up to 2.00pm on Thursday 22 March).

Work more than three days late and without an agreed extension should be awarded F4 (e.g. if the deadline is on Monday 19 March at 4.00pm, a mark of F4 is awarded to work submitted any time after 2.00pm on Thursday 22 March). 

(Work submitted after the three days will be marked – but recorded as F4. The coursework can subsequently provide useful feedback to the student and if necessary be used as supplementary evidenceat the final board of examiners.)

Students are advised to make sure they give themselves plenty of time to hand in their essays. University regulations mean that even an essay handed in even one minute late will be penalised by 10 marks. The clock on the wall by the essay box is used in order to calculate when the essay deadline has passed.

IMPORTANT! Remember that you need to submit both a paper copy (with signed coversheet) and an electronic copy (via the appropriate LUVLE website) before the deadline. If either copy is missing when the deadline passes, it is considered a non-submission and the above penalties will apply. For details about and instructions for electronic submission, see our Electronic Submission FAQ page.

Extensions

The Department recognises that sometimes, for some very good reasons, students may be unable to submit their work on time and should not therefore be penalised. Students can apply for extensions if the delay is due to one of the following reasons:

  • Medical problems, with written evidence from an appropriate medical practitioner
  • Serious problems of a personal nature, with a letter supporting the case from the personal tutor, academic advisor or the Counselling Service
  • Where certified evidence is produced to show that a student has three or more coursework deadlines falling in a 72 hour window (including weekends).

(NB: The malfunctioning of computers does not normally constitute sufficient grounds to grant an extension. It is incumbent upon students to keep backup copies of work in progress.)

If you are unable to make a coursework deadline because a relative or dependent is in hospital or ill, then as with cases of your own illness, we will require a doctor's letter or written proof of their hospitalisation/illness before allowing an extension. In the case of missing a deadline due to funeral attendance or the death of a close friend or relative, we will also need written evidence, e.g. notice from a newspaper, or a doctor's letter. Cases of missing a bus or cancelled trains etc. will not result in extensions being awarded. Students are advised to give themselves plenty of time to hand in coursework.

How to apply for an extension

  • Part I students: Contact Louise Williams, the Part I Co-ordinator, preferably in person (Room C51 County South). If this is not possible, initial contact can be made by telephone on (01524) (5)93045 or by e-mail. Louise will liaise with your Director of Studies who will decide whether an extension can be granted.
  • Part II students: Contact Vicki Haslam, the Undergraduate Co-ordinator, preferably in person (Room C49 County South). If this is not possible, initial contact can be made by telephone on (01524) (5)93040 or by e-mail. Vicki will liaise with your Director of Studies who will decide whether an extension can be granted.

NB: Only in exceptional circumstances will extensions be granted to students who request them after the relevant deadline.