Ishbel Gordon Building

Academic Governance

Student and Applicant Forms

For applicants, forms to appeal application and admission to the University. For students, forms to appeal academic decisions, apply for extenuating circumstances and/or request an interruption of studies.

On this page

Forms to appeal academic decisions, apply for extenuating circumstances and/or request an interruption of studies.

Go to Academic Regulations for details of:

  • Academic Appeals (Awards and Progression) Procedure
  • Student Misconduct Procedure

For complaints, please go to the Complaints Handling Procedure

Fit to Sit Policy

The University operates a Fit to Sit Policy and our video provides a short overview of the Policy. In addition, the presentation ‘Your Assessments: Fit to Sit Policy and 48-Hour Automatic Extension’ provides details of how the Fit to Sit Policy and the 48-Hour Automatic Extension (applicable from Academic Session 2026-27) operate and their applicability to student assessments and circumstances.

Further detail can be found in the Fit to Sit Policy and the Coursework Extension and Deferral Request Forms.

Session 2025-2026

All of the documents supplied apply to the current academic session.

Self-certification process is only in operation for Coursework Extension Requests and Deferral Requests. Self-certification is not in operation for the University’s appeals procedures. Therefore, self-certification will not be accepted in relation to Academic Appeals (Awards and Progression) Procedure, Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Appeals, Fitness to Practise Appeals and Fitness to Study Appeals. The expectation is that any students using these processes will provide supporting evidence as required by, and detailed in, the Academic Regulations, Fit to Sit Policy and associated forms.

All documents using the DOCX Word Document format should be opened and completed on a desktop or laptop as they may not be able to be edited on a mobile or tablet device. We are looking into solutions to improve this experience.

NB The Interruption of Studies Request Form was previously known as Temporary Suspension of Studies.

Remember, if you are struggling with your studies or need to talk about personal circumstances, several helpful resources are available across the University. We would strongly recommend that you discuss your situation with your personal tutor and explore the support services available.

Session 2026-27

The revised Fit to Sit Policy will be applicable from the start of Session 2026-27.

48-Hour Automatic Extension

In addition to the Fit to Sit Policy, the University operate a 48-Hour Automatic Extension which is available to you in the event you need it (Academic Regulation A4). The purpose of the automatic extension is to support you with minor illness, unexpected or adverse events that might be impacting your ability to submit your coursework by the submission date and you require a bit more time. These are not the same as extenuating circumstances. There may be limited instances where the 48-hour automatic extension cannot apply and the Coursework Assessment Brief will state if this is the case. Please also refer the ‘Your Assessments: Fit to Sit Policy and 48-Hour Automatic Extension’ presentation for further details of how the Fit to Sit Policy and the 48-Hour Automatic Extension (applicable from Academic Session 2026-27) operate and their applicability to student assessments and circumstances.

How will the 48-Hour Automatic Extension support students?  

It is recognised that students may encounter minor illness, unexpected or adverse events that do not meet the threshold for a Coursework Extension Request. In such circumstances you may choose to make use of the 48-Hour Automatic Extension.

What does the 48-Hour Automatic Extension apply to? 

The 48-hour Automatic Extension applies to the majority of coursework submissions. Please check your coursework Assessment Brief. It does not apply to timetabled assessments such as examinations or practical examinations, such as presentations.

Does this simply move the submission date by 48 hours? 

No. The submission date remains the submission date and will be the date provided to students in Assessment Schedules and in the Assessment Briefs. Students should always aim to submit by that date. The 48-hour Automatic Extension should be used as the exception, not the norm.

Can any student make use of the 48-Hour Automatic Extension for their coursework submission as specified in the Assessment Brief? 

Yes. Any student can make use of the 48-hour Automatic Extension if they are encountering minor illness, unexpected or adverse events impacting their ability to submit their coursework by the submission date and where detailed on the Assessment Brief.

Can a coursework extension be requested during or following the 48-hour Automatic Extension period?

No. A request for an approved five working day extension due to extenuating circumstances must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the original submission date. A student cannot have a 48-hour Automatic Extension in addition to an approved five working day Coursework Extension.

Can a Deferral Request be submitted following an approved five working day extension?

Yes, however as a five working day extension has been granted then only in very exceptional circumstances would a Deferral Request be accepted on an extended submission date. 

Can a Deferral Request be submitted following the 48-hour Automatic Extension?

Yes, a Deferral Request can be submitted following the 48-hour Automatic Extension but it must be submitted no later than five working days after the original submission date.

Does a request or application need to be submitted to receive a 48-hour Automatic Extension?

No. Any student who needs to make use of the automatic extension can submit their work to the appropriate dropbox at any point during the 48-hour Automatic Extension period, for example you may only need an additional hour or two to accommodate your circumstances. Please remember to click ‘Submit assignment’ when submitting your work.

Will a student be penalised for using the 48-hour automatic extension? 

No. The work will be marked in the normal way. No penalty will be applied.

How does a student submit their coursework submission on Moodle? 

To submit your coursework submission in Moodle and to indicate that it is ready for grading, please click  on the ‘Submit assignment’ button within your Moodle Dropbox.

Once submitted, grading of your work will commence. Your work cannot be edited or amended once submitted.

Will students be able to access academic support from the School, including technical services staff in laboratories, during the 48-hour automatic extension period? 

No. Once the submission date has passed, only support with IT issues (from academic, technical, IT &Digital or other staff) and student support (for example Team Around a Student and wellbeing) will be available in the 48-hour automatic extension period. This will ensure that a student is not advantaged over those students who submit by the due date.

School Email Addresses

Email your completed form to the relevant School.

Aberdeen Business School

School of Computing, Engineering and Technology

Gray's School of Art

School of Health

School of Law and Social Sciences

School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health

Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Other Departments and Contacts

You will receive an automated receipt of your email which you should retain for your records. In the event you do not receive a receipt then please contact your School.

For all other enquiries please refer to the University Contacts page.

Admissions – Applicant Feedback and Appeal Procedure

The University is committed to providing a high level of service to all applicants during the application and admission process. Any applicant who is dissatisfied with the initial outcome of the consideration of their application should follow the process, in order:

Requests for further information or submissions of Appeal should be mailed to admissions@rgu.ac.uk

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)

To view reports on recent cases investigated by the SPSO, go to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman website, and search for "Robert Gordon University".