Family/personal circumstances

You can apply for special circumstances under family/personal reasons if unexpected events in your personal or family life have made you unable to successfully complete the unit requirements.

You’ll need to provide evidence that proves your circumstances and shows their impact on your ability to complete the unit requirements.

Death of a family member

This applies to the loss of a close family member or someone with whom you have a significant relationship.

Proof of event

You must provide one of the following to confirm the occurrence:

• A death certificate, or
• A funeral notice or obituary.

Supporting letter (impact statement)

You must also provide a letter from an independent professional (e.g., a GP, counsellor, or social worker) that confirms:

• your relationship to the deceased
• the date of passing
• how the bereavement impacted your ability to study (e.g., severe emotional distress, travel requirements for the funeral, or legal responsibilities for the estate).

Severe illness of a close family member

This applies when a family member’s sudden illness or injury requires your support or causes significant distress.

Proof of the situation

You must provide a medical certificate or specialist letter confirming the family member’s medical condition and the treatment dates.

Supporting letter (impact statement)

This is a letter from an independent professional (such as the family member’s doctor or your own GP/counsellor) that explains:

• your relationship to the person
• your required involvement (e.g., you became the primary carer or were required to provide 24-hour supervision)
• how the situation made study impracticable (e.g.,your caregiving duties coincided with lab assessments or classes, making attendance impossible)
• that the impact occurred or peaked after the census date.