Self-certification supports students affected by short-term unexpected illness or disruption to their studies. A self-certification form for an extension due to exceptional circumstances does not require you to provide evidence or provide any detail of the impact on your study. You will however need to specify the nature of the exceptional circumstances and indicate when the circumstances impacted on your academic work. 

Self-certification should not be used for an illness for which it would be reasonable to seek medical attention. In such circumstances, medical certification must be obtained, to support any exceptional circumstance request. 
Examples of short-term illnesses and circumstances for which self-certification would be acceptable are as follows (please note this list is not exhaustive):
• Migraine
• Norovirus
• Gastroenteritis
• Flu
• Food poisoning
• Sudden bereavement in the family
• Unforeseen carer responsibilities

You can request and keep track of your self-certification requests through RISIS. To make a request for a two working day self-certification extension you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to the RISIS portal
2. Go to the ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ 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 to affect 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-certification if am registered with the Disability Advisory Service and have a general agreement for extensions as a reasonable adjustment?’
e. Tick on relevant module(s)
f. Tick relevant assessment(s)
4. Click submit. 

A self-certification request form should normally be submitted before the deadline for submission of the coursework, but forms will be accepted up to two working days after the original coursework deadline. On the self-certification request form, assessments will be available to select from two working days prior to the original coursework deadline and until two working days afterwards.  For example, if your coursework is due in on Wednesday you can request a two working day extension to that deadline via the self-certification form from Monday 00:00 (midnight) until Friday 23:59. Important note: The original submission time still applies, so in this example, if your Wednesday deadline was 12.00 noon your two working day extension is until Friday 12.00 noon. Work submitted after this time will be considered late and late penalties will apply.

If your request is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email that your self-certification two working 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 EC form.

The self-certification extension will be for two working days (note: working days do not include weekends, UK bank holidays or University closure dates). 

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

If more than one coursework deadline falls within the relevant two-day extension period,
the two-day extension can apply to all eligible coursework deadlines provided you have included them in the self-certification request.

The ability to self-certify for an extension due to exceptional circumstances is only permitted twice in one academic year. 

If you have already requested self-certification on two occasions during an academic year you will be directed to submit your request, together with evidence, using the standard EC form. The original deadline for the coursework will apply until the evidence has been received and the request approved.

No, you are not permitted to use self-certification to seek a further extension on top of an extension already granted through the standard EC process or a prior self-certification. Students with DAS reasonable adjustments should see next question.

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

You should submit an EC 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.
• Reasonable adjustments have been put in place for this assessment and then require additional time due to an exceptional circumstances, you should:

1. First use your 5+/10 days reasonable adjustment;
2. then submit a Self-certification form for the additional two-day extension in the normal way.

You will need to apply for an extension through the standard, non-self-certification, EC process. This means completing the standard EC request form and providing supporting evidence of the circumstances you are experiencing.

The self-certification option is not available for every type of assessment and can only be used for a two working day extension for eligible coursework. Most coursework assessments should be eligible; however, some may be excluded for valid pedagogic and/or operational reasons. Schools have been consulted on coursework assessments to be included/excluded from self-certification. 

Self-certification is NOT permitted for undergraduate dissertations/projects, in-class tests, performances, presentations, live practicals (including fieldwork), computer-marked Blackboard tests, and assessments where late submission for a mark is not permitted. If your piece of coursework is not eligible for self-certification (e.g. it is an examination or a piece of coursework for which self-certification is not available), you will not be able to self-certify for that assessment.

Please note that UG dissertations and major final year projects are not normally eligible for self-certification; this is due to marking constraints and timing of finalist exam boards. However, PGT (e.g. masters) dissertations and final projects are normally eligible.

If your assessment is not eligible for self-certification then you will need to submit a request, together with evidence, using the standard non-self-certification exceptional circumstances form. The original deadline for the coursework will apply until the evidence has been received and the request approved.

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

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 read the FAQ ‘What is self-certification and when should it be used?’ and speak with your Student Support Coordinator, International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) Helpdesk or Henley Business School Office if you are unsure.

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 ECs through this route. 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 you have any further queries not answered on this page, you can contact the following for advice and help:

Your Student Support Coordinator, International Study and Language Institute (ISLI) Helpdesk or Henley Business School Office

Your Academic Tutor, your Programme Director, your School Director of Academic Tutoring, or your School Director of Teaching & Learning.