Mitigating circumstances

Mitigating circumstances are exceptional, unforeseen and unpreventable events that may have a significantly disruptive effect on your ability to study. These events are normally outside of your control, and may affect your ability to attend school, prepare classwork, complete homework, revise for and attend examinations.

If you've experienced circumstances like this, let us know by completing our Mitigating Circumstances form below. Ideally submit it at the same time as you submit your UCAS application.

Examples of mitigating circumstances 

Here are some examples of circumstances that we consider.

• A period of ill-health affecting performance in examinations or other pieces of assessed work
• Bereavement of an immediate family member
• A period of teacher absence in subjects that are essential to you meeting your offer conditions
• Other personal, social or domestic circumstances, such as a relationship breakdown at home
• A disability or long-standing medical condition
• Information that sets your application in its educational or socio-economic context.

If you live in an area with low participation in higher education, this isn't considered via our Mitigating Circumstances process. Please refer to our Contextual Offer scheme. 

What happens once we receive your form

All forms that include a full description of the nature of the mitigating circumstances will be considered, as part of the admissions process. This may be taken into account when making you an offer. If it is not possible for us to make you a reduced offer immediately, we'll consider your circumstances again once we receive your results.