Uni makes getting extension much harder

New ‘helpful’ changes from The Hub

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UEA has made the procedure for requesting coursework extensions much more rigorous this year.

The process is now more regimented, making it more difficult for students to request extensions.

The first application must be in the form of self-certification, and this can now only be done once per academic year for a maximum of just five days. Any further extensions must be applied for with supporting evidence to the Hub.

The university says this “allows us to monitor the extension requests and identify situations where students may require further support or advice.”

New extension woes could leave students stressed

The previous system was often abused by students – a problem outlined by a lecturer in an email to students sent last year.

Dr Petra Rau claimed that “the number of self-certifications in the faculty now boarders on absurd and has made life for colleagues in the LTS Hub very difficult as well as prolong marking to the point of Chinese water torture: drip drip drip”

The new policy of only being able to apply for one self-extension per academic year is probably to keep lecturers from feeling “tortured”.

While some students think this will stop them planning extensions and mean getting their coursework marked in time, others disagree. Third-year Lucy Morris said: “I prefer the old system, because it allowed for an extension of 10 days for one issue without having to rush or apply for more than one extension.”

The uni said: “The uptake of self-certification was unexpectedly large, and caused disruption to the marking process, delaying the return of work in some cases.

“The decision was taken to modify the policy to allow one self-certification per academic year and only on the first occasion, to reduce the number of people self-certifying and making the process more efficient.”