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Applying for an Extension

How do I apply for an assignment extension?

If circumstances have affected your ability to complete an assessment task on time, you may be eligible for an assignment extension of up to ten working days.

Eligibility

Extensions are only available if:
  • Your application is submitted before the assignment due date, or date of the assessment.
  • You meet all requirements as listed in the policy outlining extensions.

How to apply

  1. First speak with your lecturer, tutor or subject coordinator to discuss:
    • Whether an extension is appropriate for your circumstances, and
    • Confirm which faculty or school owns the subject, as the process varies from faculty to faculty.
  2. Follow the appropriate process outlined in the table below. You can apply any time before the assignment due date or date of assessment.
 Subject owning Faculty/School  How to apply
Architecture, Building and Planning For extensions of up to 10 working days made before the due date of the assessment, students must apply online using the Faculty’s online application for extension. This includes students with an Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP). 
For extensions of more than 10 working days or requests made after the due date of the assessment, students are required to apply for special consideration.
Arts

End-of-Semester examinations
Apply for Special consideration

All other assessments
Check for instructions on your LMS or apply directly to your subject coordinator

Business and Economics 

For extensions of less than 10 days, please apply using the FBE Assignment Extension Request form.

For longer extensions, please apply for Special Consideration.

Education See Current Students website for more information on how to apply.
Engineering and IT

For extensions between 1-3 working days, please visit eng.unimelb.edu.au and complete the online declaration

For extensions between 4 to 10 working days, please apply for Special Consideration.

Law

Apply using the "Apply for an extension" form on the MLS Procedures and Guidelines page for:

Extensions less than 10 days

Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences See 'Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Students' below.
Science

Schools of BioSciences, Chemistry, Geography, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics and Physics –
For extensions 10 days or less, check for instructions on your LMS or apply directly to your subject coordinator.
For extensions over 10 days, please apply for Special consideration.

School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences – 
For extensions less than 10 days, apply using this online form
For extensions over 10 days, please apply for Special consideration.

Melbourne Veterinary School – 
For extensions less than 10 days, apply using this online form.
For extensions over 10 days, please apply for Special consideration.

Fine Arts and Music

End-of-Semester examinations
Apply for Special consideration

All other assessments
Submit an assignment extension application form (under the 'Assignment and Exam forms')

Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Students

Refer to the table below as a guide only. Please check your LMS for subject specific information on Special consideration.
Graduate School/ Degree  Extensions up to 10 working days  Placements   Attendance Requirements
Psychology Complete the electronic Extension Request form from the main menu on the LMS subject site Apply for Special consideration Attendance is a hurdle requirement for all subjects. Check subject entry in the Handbook.
Health Sciences Apply online Physiotherapy students applying for missed placements are required to submit a medical certificate to the subject coordinator to cover any short absences. NA
School of Biomedical Sciences Check for instructions on your subject LMS page NA Check for instructions on your subject LMS page
Doctor Of Medicine (MD) Contact the subject coordinator (or clinical rotation coordinator) for in-term assessments and written assessment submissions. MD Students should refer to the MD specific policy, processes and forms for Leave of Absence. Attendance is a hurdle requirement across all years of the MD. Check the subject's assessment requirements in the  Handbook.
Melbourne Medical School Contact your subject coordinator Contact your subject coordinator Check the subject's assessment requirements in the Handbook.
Population Global Health Contact your subject coordinator Contact your subject coordinator Contact your subject coordinator
Melbourne Dental School Apply for Special consideration Contact your subject coordinator NA

Project Extension form

You must also complete the Project Extension form for the following subjects:

  • PSYT90074 - Youth Mental Health Minor Thesis 1
  • PSYT90075 - Youth Mental Health Minor Thesis 2
  • PSYT90086 - Mental Health Science Research Project 1
  • PSYT90087 - Mental Health Science Research Project 2
  • PSYT90093 - Psychiatric Research Project
  • RADI90003 - Minor Thesis (Radiology)
  • PAED90023 - Research Dissertation: Minor Thesis
  • PAED90015 - Adolescent Health Minor Thesis
  • POPH90268 - Adolescent Health Minor Thesis

Outcome

The subject coordinator will notify you of the outcome of your application within three working days.

There are three possible outcomes:

  1. Granted: You will be notified within three working days of the receipt of your application about the new assignment due date or assessment date.
  2. Not granted: Your original assignment due date or assessment date will apply.
  3. Referred: You may be referred to submit an application for Special consideration.

When should I apply for Special consideration instead of an extension?

You are encouraged to apply for Special consideration if:
  • The impact of your circumstances requires an extension of more than ten working days and you meet the eligibility criteria for Special consideration.

If you are affected by a chronic, permanent or ongoing illness, disability or hardship, are an Elite Athlete, Elite Performer, Army Reservist or Emergency volunteer you may Register for ongoing support. Your Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP) cannot be applied retrospectively so it is important to have this in place well in advance of any assessment deadlines.

For Graduate Researchers - extending your candidature

If you are not able to submit your thesis by your expected thesis submission date, you may be eligible to extend your candidature up to the maximium course duration.
  • 4 years (8 years part time) for a PhD or doctoral degree
  • 2 years (4 years part time) for a masters by research degree
Find out more about extension of candidature, and see COVID-19: frequently asked questions from Graduate Researchers.