If you're experiencing any academic issues and need to let the School know about any changes you need to make to your programme, your Academic Mentor can help. There's more information about processes below and on the My Study page.
Deadline extensions:
If you feel you will most likely miss an assessment deadline for any reason, let us know sooner rather than later. It may be possible to get a deadline extension. There are slightly different procedures across the School, so find out as soon as you can by contacting your Mentor, course teacher or the course administrators.
If it’s not possible to get an extension in your circumstances, you should get in touch with your course tutor or an LSE LIFE adviser for guidance. They can’t complete work for you but they can give you tips and advice on how to progress.
Exceptional circumstances:
Exceptional circumstances are unforeseen events that were totally out of your control but may have had a significant impact on your performance in any summative assessment you completed (not just exams). Telling the Exam Board about your circumstances will allow them to consider granting you a further attempt or for them to look again at your final classification (final years only). Marks for an individual piece of work will never be altered through this process.
If you do feel your studies were impacted by something out of your control, you should fill in an exceptional circumstances form and submit it to the Student Services Centre (either to counter staff or by dropping it into the drop-box opposite the counter).
When you apply for exceptional circumstances, the obligation is on you to prove what happened and how it impacted on your studies. This means you need to take filling in the form and providing evidence very seriously and not expect the people assessing your form to chase you for further information. You need to fill in the form and submit via the Student Services Centre even if you’ve told your department about your circumstances in person.
There’s more information on the LSE exceptional circumstances website, including the deadlines that you must meet.
Interruption of studies:
If you feel that you need to take a break from your studies for one calendar year, perhaps because of health issues or problems at home, it is possible to apply for an interruption of studies. You’ll leave LSE then return at the start of the same term the following year, so, for example, if you leave in February, you’ll return at the start of Winter Term the following year. This should give you the time and space you need to deal with whatever’s happening before you return to LSE.
If you wish to do this, the first person you should speak to is your Academic Mentor.
If you’re considering interrupting, you should think about all the things that may be affected, including accommodation, fees and finance and future plans. Your Mentor, the Student Services Centre and the Students’ Union should be able to support you with the process.
Deferral:
If you’ve received all your teaching in an academic year but something unexpected has come up that means you really don’t feel it’s plausible to submit your dissertation or sit your exams until the next academic year you can apply for a deferral.
The deferral form asks you to outline your reasons for wanting a deferral, asks for supporting evidence and then allows the Chair of the Sub-Board of Examiners to decide whether or not to grant the deferral in your case.
Common reasons for deferral include bereavement, severe and sudden illness or accident, sudden and unexpected caring demands or being a victim of a crime. This isn’t an exclusive list so if you feel deferral may be the right thing for you, discuss it with your Academic Mentor.
You should make sure you fully understand the implications of this option by carefully reading the LSE deferral website and asking questions if there’s anything you’re unsure about.