What are extraordinary circumstances?
An extraordinary circumstance is something that does not occur routinely, something you have no control over, and something you could not predict and therefore could not plan your way out of.
Examples of extraordinary circumstances can be:
- Documented illness of the student (The illness must have taken place at the time and be of a duration corresponding to the dispensation that you apply for). Read more about illness and examination here.
- Documented illness within the immediate family.
- Death within the immediate family. Read more about death within the immediate family here.
- Birth: Read more about parental leave here.
- A sudden worsening of a chronic disease. Read more about special exam conditions here.
- Other factors that affect the individual student for which the student generally cannot be blamed
- Jury duty as a lay judge or juror could also be considered exceptional circumstances
What are not extraordinary circumstances?
Time spent abroad, all types of work, vacation, and similar are not considered as extraordinary circumstances.
Neither is it extraordinary circumstances if the subject is difficult or that you are generally doing poorly in your studies.
Are chronic diseases extraordinary circumstances?
Chronic disease is not considered to be extraordinary circumstances. This is because it is assumed that you can plan your way out of the discomforts your illness results in.
If your chronic illness suddenly worsens, such as if you have an “attack” in connection with exam, it might be considered an extraordinary circumstance.
If you suffer from dyslexia or dyscalculia, have a mental health diagnosis or reduced physical functioning, which prevents you from taking an exam under normal exam conditions, you can apply for special exam conditions.
You have the opportunity to apply for Special Pedagogic Support (SPS) in connection with completing your studies, where your chronic disease has been taken into account.
Do you need support?
Contact Educational Law & Registration if you have any questions regarding the above mentioned rules. You can do this either via spoc.sdu.dk or by calling at 65501059 (between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m.).
Contact Student Services if you have questions about SU, Admission, SDU international, Syddansk Elite, SPS and other services at SDU.
Contact the counselling at your studies if you need specific knowledge related to your study eg. knowledge about your study plan or how to write a dispensation application.
Contact the General Study counselling if you need guidance concerning general study topics such as study techniques, well-being or simply just find it hard to know who to go to with your questions.