EC Self Cert FAQs

Self-Certification questions

While it is best to submit assessments on time and move forward with new tasks, we recognise that students face many demands on their time. Our new self-certified short extension approach provides built in flexibility that empowers students to manage these pressures without compromising deadlines.

You can now request a seven-calendar-day extension without providing supporting evidence. It is automatically approved, with no overall limit—though only one extension is allowed per assessment and not for resits or reassessments.

Assessments will be available to select for extensions on the self-certification request form from two calendar days prior to the original coursework submission deadline and until two calendar days afterwards.

Please note: The self-certified short extensions option is not available for every type of assessment and can only be used for seven calendar day extension for eligible coursework. Please read the Self-Certified short extensions FAQs below for further details on how and on what timescales you can submit a self-certification request, and what assessments fall in scope for self-certification. If the assessment you are wanting to apply a self-certification for is not in scope for self-certification you will need to submit either a standard AA (for relevant coursework) or PREC for exams request as applicable.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below explain a number of important aspects relating to Self-Certified short extension requests:

How do I make a self-certified short extension request?

You can request and keep track of your self-certified short extensions requests through RISIS. To make a request for a seven-calendar-day self-certified short extension you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to the RISIS portal

2. Go to the ‘Assessment Adjustments’ under ‘Actions’

3. To apply select the ‘new self-certification request’ button and follow the guidance on the form page.

a. Answer question 1 - When did these circumstances start to affect your studies?
b. Answer question 2 - When did these circumstances stop affecting your studies?
c. Answer question 3 - Nature of exceptional circumstances (select from dropdown list) .

d. If not registered with the Disability Advisory Service, question 4 does not apply, so please leave response as ‘No’. If registered with Disability Advisory Service, please see FAQ on ‘Can I use self- certified short extensions request if I am registered with the Disability Advisory Service and have a general agreement for extensions as a reasonable adjustment?’

e. Tick to select relevant module(s)
f. Tick to select relevant assessment(s)

4. Submit your request.

A self-certification request form should normally be submitted before the deadline for submission of the coursework, but requests will be accepted up to two calendar days after the original coursework deadline. For example, if your coursework is due in on Wednesday you can request a seven calendar day extension to that deadline via the self-certification form from Monday 00:00 (midnight) until Friday 23:59.

The original submission time still applies, so in this example, if your Wednesday deadline was 12.00 noon your seven calendar day extension is until Wednesday 12.00 noon of the following week. Work submitted after the extended deadline will be considered late and late penalties will apply.

If your request is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email that your self-certification seven-calendar-day extension request has been processed and approved, and it will be recorded on RISIS. If the request is not eligible, you will receive an immediate notification message on screen and are advised to submit a request through the standard, non-self-certification, Assessment Adjustments form.

The self-certification extension will be for seven calendar days.

It is NOT permitted to use two self-certified short extensions requests consecutively for the same piece(s) of work (i.e. seeking a fourteen day extension in total).

Will my self-certification request be confidential?

The information which you provide on your self-certification form will only be shared with those who need to see it. If you are uncomfortable with disclosing information about your circumstances, please do discuss the matter with a member of staff (ideally your Academic Tutor or Student Support Coordinator) or a Reading Students’ Union advisor.

How many times can I make a self-certification request?

There is no limit on the overall number of short extensions that a student can use, though only one can be used per assessment and not for coursework submitted as a re-assessment/resit.

It is important to remember that extra time taken to complete one assessment is likely to reduce the time you have to complete the next assessment or revise for upcoming exams so it would be unwise to overuse these self-certified short extensions.

Can I use self-certified short extensions on top of an existing extension?

No, you are not permitted to use self-certified short extensions to seek a further extension on top of an extension already granted through the Assessment Adjustments process or a prior self-certification.

If you have had a self-certified short extension confirmed and wish to request a further extension, you can do this through the Assessment Adjustments process. However, normal advice applies around the advisability to work towards the agreed deadline whilst your Assessment Adjustments request is being processed. In such cases, please make sure you provide your correct current deadline (i.e. the original deadline plus seven calendar days) in the modules/activities affected section of Assessment Adjustments form and indicate in the additional notes section that you have had a self-certified short extension granted for the assessment(s).

Can I use self-certified short extensions if I am registered with the Disability Advisory Service and have a general agreement for extensions as a reasonable adjustment?

You should submit a self-certified short extensions request where:

Reasonable adjustments have already been put in place for that assessment, but you are then faced with additional circumstances beyond your control.

Your studies have been impaired by the new circumstances.

First use your 7/14 calendar days reasonable adjustment as per your Individual Learning Plan; You can then submit a self-certification form for the additional seven-calendar-day extension in the normal way.

What if I need a longer extension than seven-calendar-days?

You will need to apply for an extension through the Assessment Adjustments process. This means completing the Assessment Adjustments form. Please note that supporting evidence of the circumstances you are experiencing may be required.

What assessments are eligible for self-certified short extensions?

The self-certified short extensions option is not available for every type of assessment . Please see the guide below:

EC process diagram

Self-certified short extensions are NOT permitted, for example, for in-class tests, performances, presentations, live practicals (including fieldwork), computer-marked Blackboard tests, group work, and assessments where late submission for a mark is not permitted.

If your assessment is not eligible for self-certification then you will need to submit a request, using the Assessment Adjustments form. The original deadline for the coursework will apply until the request is approved. Please note that supporting evidence of the circumstances you are experiencing may be required.

If you are still unsure whether one of your assessments is eligible for the self-certified short extensions, please speak with the module convenor.

If I am not sure my standard EC request will be granted or if I do not have a decision regarding my standard EC request by my deadline, should I use self-certification?

You will need to choose whether EITHER a self-certification request OR a request via the standard EC request form providing supporting evidence of the circumstances you are experiencing is most appropriate in your circumstances.

Although it is possible to submit both a self-certification and a standard EC request form, we will not be able to withdraw your self-certification request if you are subsequently granted an extension through your standard EC request form. This may therefore effectively result in you ‘wasting’ one of the two self-certification EC requests you are permitted to make in each academic year.

Please speak with your Student Support Coordinator, Global Academy Helpdesk or Henley Business School Office if you are unsure.

What can I do if I have submitted a self-certification and want to withdraw it?

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are submitting a self-certification request for an eligible assessment and that you wish to apply for exceptional circumstances (ECs) through this route. Because this process is fully automatic, Self-certification requests cannot be withdrawn or removed. Once you have used your self-certification allowance you can, of course, still apply through the standard EC route.

If I am granted an automatic extension via self-cert process when will my coursework be marked?

Any coursework which is granted an automatic extended deadline through the self-certified short extensions process, or an amended deadline as a result of a verified systems outage which impacts the ability of students to submit summative work, will normally be given feedback and marks within a 15 working day period to run from the amended deadline for submission. Any variation from this will require a case for an exemption to be made by the module convenor.

What I have further questions not answered here?

If you have other questions not covered in this page about making a request, you can contact the following people for advice:
- Your Student Support Coordinator or relevant support staff in Global Academy/HBS
- Your Academic Tutor or the School Director Academic Tutoring
- The Advice Service at Reading Students' Union: email advice@rusu.co.uk or call 0118 378 4100
- For students on Henley Greenlands-based programmes contact your Programme Administrator

Exceptional Circumstances guidance