Missed a deadline? Here’s everything you need to know about submitting work late.

Late Submissions

Late submission of coursework: what you need to know

Missing a coursework deadline can be stressful, but the University allows a 7-day late submission period under certain conditions. While extensions aren’t granted, you may still be able to submit your work with a Late Submission claim.

Below, we outline the key steps, important rules, and how SU Advice can support you.

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KEY STEPS KEY INFORMATION ACCEPTED CIRCUMSTANCES UNACCEPTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES HOW SU ADVICE CAN SUPPORT YOU

 

Steps for Late Submission

  1. Submit your work within 7 Days – You can submit coursework up to 7 days after the deadline using the University's Late Submission policy. You must make sure the work is submitted by the same time as the original deadline, for example if your deadline is 10am on a Monday, you have until 10am the following Monday to submit.
  2. Complete the Late Submission form – This must be submitted within the same 7-day window.
  3. Provide supporting evidence – While not always required, evidence strengthens your claim. The University has provided some guidance about what types of evidence they would expect here.
  4. Await committee review – The Extenuating Circumstances (EC) Committee will assess your claim and confirm if they can accept it.
  5. Understand the Outcome – If your claim is accepted, your work is marked as normal; if rejected, you receive a zero but may be eligible to have a capped resubmission attempt in line with the Rules of Assessment for your course.

Key Information

  • No extensions – The University does not grant deadline extensions (except for Master’s dissertations).
  • Decisions are not immediate – Your claim will not be reviewed before you submit your work.
  • Reassessment possibility – If you fail due to a zero mark, the Exam Board may allow a capped reassessment.
  • Use the EC (Extenuating Circumstances) Form – The Late Submission form is the same as the EC form; you can submit under both categories if needed.
  • Submission only after deadline – You cannot submit a Late Submission form until the coursework deadline has passed.
  • It’s a Single Policy – for all Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students
  • Work submitted after 7 days will not be accepted – if you can’t submit the work within 7 days of the original deadline you will receive a mark of zero. You can submit Extenuating Circumstances to explain any reasons you could submit the work. See our info on ECs for more information.

What circumstances might be accepted?

Late Submission claims will only be accepted if there are significant reasons, that are beyond your control, that have impacted your ability to complete work on time. Accepted circumstances may include:

Medical reasons.

Reasons of a personal nature.

Genuine emergencies which could not reasonably have been expected.

This is not an exhaustive list of ‘accepted’ circumstances and your department will consider all claims on their own merit.

What circumstances won’t be accepted?

The following are NOT usually valid reasons for late submission:

Minor illnesses (e.g., colds, headaches)

Predictable events (e.g., holidays, weddings, moving house)

Study-related issues (e.g., printer problems, book availability)

Workload pressure or time management issues

Employment or financial constraints

Misreading deadlines or oversleeping

Transport issues (e.g., car breakdowns, delayed trains)

How SU Advice can support you

We can guide you through the process but cannot complete forms for you.

Contact us at suadvice@essex.ac.uk to discuss your situation confidentially. Attach relevant documents when booking or bring them to your appointment.

DIVE DEEPER

Want even more in depth information? Read our full information on Late Submissions here, or download our guide on Late Submissions here.

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