Application for Special Consideration
Special consideration for assessments is intended to assist a student who, due to exceptional circumstances beyond their control that could not have reasonably been foreseen or planned for at the time they enrolled, have been disadvantaged in comparison to other students.
More information on Special Consideration is linked here
The Extension and Special Consideration processes apply to all learners.
Please check your My OP dashboard that you have applied for any extensions first.
If your assessment is due (or overdue) and you cannot see your assessment showing on your MyOP list for your course – you need to apply for Special Consideration.
You can read about extensions on the How to request an assessment extension page.
Special consideration is not available for examinations. Please refer to the Exams information linked below for your options.
The possible outcomes which may be approved and the type of evidence you can include are:
- an extension of time to complete an assessment.
- For a short extension e.g. one week – evidence may be a blank document, or email from your mentor or Course leader.
- For a longer extension e.g. several weeks, or beyond the course end date - evidence that covers the affected enrolment period.
- transfer of your enrolment to the next available offering
- Evidence that covers the affected enrolment period.
- Withdrawal
- Evidence that covers the affected enrolment period.
Supporting documentation / Evidence
Your supporting documentation/evidence MUST:
- State / outline the nature of the circumstances (private details are not required) and how they were exceptional (beyond your control, that could not have reasonably been foreseen or planned for at the time of your enrolment), and
- Indicate the timing those circumstances affected your learning during the enrolment period.
Examples of circumstances and acceptable documentation / evidence related to the categories include:
Medical - illness, injury or conditions of a serious nature, e.g., hospitalisation.
- Evidence: a certificate from a registered medical practitioner describing the condition suffered, relevant dates you were affected, and how the condition has, or would, affect your studies over the actual time your assessment was due. Stating 'illness', 'medical condition' or 'not fit for work' on a medical certificate is not a sufficient explanation.
Bereavement - the death of a close family member.
- Evidence: a death certificate, a funeral notice (online/newspaper), funeral order of service, or signed letter from a Kaumātua or a person of standing in the community (with their contact details). Please also state the relationship between you and the deceased person.
Trauma - sudden loss of employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements, victim of crime.
- Evidence: a letter from your employer, counsellor, or lawyer, or a police report, which explains your trauma impact with detail of the way it has, or would, affect your ability to complete your course work within the enrolment period.
Unexpected additional whānau responsibility
- Evidence: a study plan developed with your Course Mentor; a letter from a Kaumātua or a person of standing in the community which explains your additional responsibilities with detail of the way it has, or would, affect your ability to complete your course work within the enrolment period; or other relevant document.
Unexpected work responsibilities – work responsibilities significantly changed after enrolling.
- Evidence: a letter from your employer explaining the relevant dates your work was impacted, and how this has, or would, affect your studies over the time your assessment was due.
Please have your supporting documentation (or a document) ready to upload before starting your application.
Fill all sections of the form and include details about your preferred study outcome.
If you intend to provide further supporting documentation that is not yet available, please advise what you will provide and when you expect to send it. Send additional supporting documentation to Registrar@openpolytechnic.ac.nz, in the subject line write your name, student number and “Special Consideration documentation”.
Note: we may require you to complete a statutory declaration.
If you have any questions about the special consideration form, extensions and transfers, contact us by email or phone.