iheed Mitigating Circumstances Information
The purpose of this page is to offer additional information for students studying via the iheed-University of Warwick partnership who have experienced mitigating circumstances which you believe have adversely affected your performance. Please ensure that you read through the Guidance for StudentsLink opens in a new window, and policyLink opens in a new window before submitting a mitigating circumstances claim. Claims should be submitted via the online declaration formLink opens in a new window in line with the policy, and by the deadlines stated.
Panel Composition
Mitigating circumstances panels for iheed courses consists of a minimum of three of the following:
- Chair of the Board of Examiners (also Chair of the Mitigating Circumstances Panel)
- WMS Senior Tutor
- Course Director (iheed)
- Course Director (Warwick)
In addition to the secretary (Mitigating Circumstances Officer) and iheed operations representative (e.g. Programme manager).
Deadlines
Mitigating Circumstances Panel meetings will take place after the deadline for submissions, but before the meeting of the Board of Examiners. In exceptional circumstances and for serious and time sensitive decisions, the Chair of the MCP is authorised to approve MCs outside a formal meeting. You will be notified of the outcome after the exam board has confirmed their decision. You will be notified in writing via an Exam Board Outcome letter sent via email.
In addition to the deadline for submissions, please ensure you are familiar with the mitigating circumstances policy. In particular that circumstances affecting performance assessments should be submitted within 20 university working days of the assessment deadline, or the departmental deadline for consideration by examination boards if earlier. You should submit the mitigating circumstances as soon as possible to when they occur, and before results are released.
In the 2024/25 academic year there will be three exam board periods schedules in October, January/February and May. Please find the mitigating circumstances final submission deadlines below, noting that these are the deadlines to be considered at the board- you still need to ensure you are submitting your case in a timely manner within 20 days of your assessment deadline, and before results are released:
| Course/Exam Board | Autumn 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 |
| Medical Education | Friday, 29 August 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
| Diabetes Care | Friday, 29 August 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
|
Public Health |
Friday, 05 September 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
| Healthcare Leadership | Friday, 05 September 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
| Neuroscience | Friday, 05 September 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
| Clinical Research | Friday, 12 September 2025 | TBC (approx. Jan/Feb 2026) | TBC (approx. May 2026) |
Guiding Principles
The iheed / Warwick Medical School Mitigating Circumstances Panel will consider claims of mitigation, guided by the following principles:
- Whether the mitigating circumstances are genuinely circumstances beyond the student’s control or ability to foresee and whether they seriously impaired the student’s assessment(s) attempt;
- If evidence provided is independent evidence as a guide to determine the impact of the event or circumstance on the student and their studies;
- The duration of the circumstance and their effect;
- The proximity of the circumstance to the assessment(s);
- Whether all/other assessment(s) might be equally affected;
- Whether there is verifiable and current third party evidence to support the request for underperformance.