Resource Centre

Mitigating circumstances can occur for any number reasons. If you feel that your situation resembles any of the ones explained below it may be relevant to you. Bereavement, illness, crime and financial hardship are to name just a few of the things that could have an adverse effect on your studies. The chances are that if you've suffered from any of those your studies will have taken a battering too. The one thing that you must always remember is to keep your course tutors informed of any changes in your circumstances, no matter how small and irrelevant it may seem at the time. If your tutors do not know what's going on with you - they cannot help you!

Losing a loved one can be a tough experience at any time in a person's life, and being at University when it happens can make it harder to deal with. As well as coming to terms with your loss and trying to deal with your grief you will also find that your have course work piling up. In circumstances such as these, special arrangements can be made for you until you are able to resume your studies.

The first thing that you yourself or someone else on your behalf must do is inform the University of your predicament. Once this is done the University can make special provision for you. Once you are back attending lectures again, counselling is available and can be sought through the student union.

If the person you lose it also the one that was supporting you financially then you may be experiencing further hardship. There are loans available for students who find themselves in extreme financial hardship. More information on loans and grants for those in need can be found in the student funding area of this website.

Whether it be a short spell of sickness or something far more serious, feeling off colour will inevitably effect your studies. Your course tutor must be told of any illness lasting more than a couple of days so that special arrangements can be made for you, till you are back on your feet again. In the unfortunate event you fall ill while taking your final year, during the exam period or while completing your dissertation, most Universities will allow extra time for you to submit your work or even allow you to sit exams during the summer months.

If your illness is serious one and a return to University is not practical in the short term or in extreme cases where you must leave your course altogether do not despair. Education is something that you can always return to at any time in your life, not just in your youth.

Being a victim of crime can be a harrowing experience and even more so when you are away from home, without your loved ones to fall back on. If you are a victim of crime, firstly report it to the nearest police station, ensuring that nothing at the scene of crime has been touched or moved. The crime must be reported, regardless of whether it was a personal attack on you or to your personal property. In cases of burglary unless you have reported it to the police and a crime number given you may not be able to claim on your insurance policy.

As well as informing the police the University should also be informed of any crime, especially if it has happened on campus, or in halls of residence. Making those around you aware of what has happened can prevent it happening again by people being more vigilant and taking preventative measures.

Victims of crime can receive counselling after their ordeal. Further information can be found at your local police station or at your student union.

Who do you turn to if you have no money to live on? If you find yourself wondering exactly that then life can seem pretty grim to say the least. More and more students are finding it difficult if not impossible to manage to live on the grants available from the state, and have to take part-time jobs as well as relying on parental funding to stay at University. If your have exhausted all your resources and cannot take out a student loan or increase your overdraft facility with the bank, then you may be eligible for a hardship loan. These loans are awarded by the University and are only done so in cases of extreme hardship.

The decision are to whether or not you will qualify for one will ultimately rest with your University.

All the above mentioned are reasons that may affect you while at University. If you do find yourself in such a situation there are people that can help you to deal with and overcome any problems that may hinder your studies.

In all cases where your studies are being affected, you must inform the relevant people at University. You do not want to penalise yourself if your are facing a genuine case of a mitigating circumstance. Your lecturer should be informed at once and ideally a letter should be sent to your course director as well informing them of your predicament.

Your Student Union should be able to advise on what to do if you feel completely at loss. Do not forget that there are numerous help-lines available including the Samaritans that can provide confidential advise 24 hours a day. The Samaritans can be contacted on 08457 909090 or you can visit their website at Samaritans.