Special Consideration Letter Template
Use this page when short-term circumstances affected a specific assessment, exam, placement, or attendance requirement and you need a concise, evidence-led request.
What makes a strong special consideration letter?
A strong special consideration letter identifies the exact assessment, explains the timing and impact in plain factual language, links each attachment to the disruption, and asks for a realistic adjustment the university can actually grant. In most cases, shorter and better-evidenced is stronger than longer and more emotional.
When this template is the right fit
Special consideration is usually used for short-term and assessment-specific disruption, not for every academic problem. Common examples include:
- illness around an exam, quiz, or due date
- acute mental health deterioration affecting a short assessment window
- bereavement or a serious family event close to assessment timing
- hospital attendance, urgent treatment, or an acute medical episode
- an unexpected incident that directly disrupted submission or attendance
If your issue is really about late course withdrawal, show cause, misconduct defence, or a broader academic appeal, a special consideration letter alone is often not the right process.
What decision-makers usually need to see
Universities often assess four practical questions:
- What assessment was affected? Be specific about unit code, task name, date, and weighting if relevant.
- What happened, and when? Give a short timeline instead of a long life story.
- How did it affect performance or attendance? Show the direct connection between the event and the academic impact.
- What outcome are you requesting? Ask for an extension, deferred exam, alternative sitting, or another outcome that fits policy.
If one of those questions is missing, the application often looks incomplete even when the circumstances were genuine.
Copy and adapt this special consideration letter template
Subject: Special Consideration Request for [Unit Code] [Assessment Name]
Dear [Course Coordinator / Subject Convenor / Faculty Team],
I am requesting special consideration for [unit code and assessment name], which was due or scheduled on [date].
From [date or date range], I experienced [brief factual description of the circumstances]. As a result, I was unable to [prepare adequately / attend the assessment / complete the task on time / perform at my usual level].
The direct academic impact was that [one or two clear sentences explaining what changed]. For example, I could not attend the exam, could not finish the assessment by the deadline, or my preparation time was significantly reduced during the critical assessment period.
I have attached supporting documents for this request:
- Attachment 1: [document name], confirming [what it proves]
- Attachment 2: [document name], confirming [what it proves]
- Attachment 3: [document name], confirming [what it proves]
I respectfully request [extension until date / deferred exam / alternative assessment timing / other policy-available adjustment].
I understand the university will assess this request under its special consideration rules. If any further information is needed, I am happy to provide it promptly.
Kind regards,
[Full name]
[Student ID]
[Program / degree]
[Phone number if useful]
How to adapt the template without weakening it
1. Keep the facts tight
Use dates, short sentences, and plain wording. Avoid adding long background unless it helps explain timing, severity, or why a document was delayed.
2. Match the request to the process
If the policy offers extensions for coursework but not for a completed exam, do not ask for the wrong remedy. A sensible request often sounds more credible.
3. Explain the impact, not just the event
A certificate that says you were unwell is only part of the picture. The letter should also explain what that meant for attendance, concentration, preparation, or submission.
4. Name every attachment clearly
Decision-makers should not have to guess which document supports which part of the request.
Evidence that often helps
| Situation | Helpful evidence | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Short illness | Medical certificate, consult note, pharmacy record where relevant | Helps confirm timing and functional impact |
| Acute mental health event | GP letter, counsellor or psychologist letter, treatment attendance note | Supports severity and timing better than a bare self-report |
| Family emergency or bereavement | Support letter, funeral notice, travel record, statutory declaration if appropriate | Explains why normal study performance became unrealistic |
| Unexpected incident | Police event number, incident report, employer letter, travel disruption notice | Helps corroborate the disruption window |
For broader document strategy, use the Academic Appeal Evidence Checklist. If you are dealing with disputed medical timing, the guide on backdating certificates in NSW may also help you frame the issue more carefully.
Common mistakes that weaken special consideration requests
- asking for a broad result change instead of an assessment adjustment
- attaching evidence without explaining what each document proves
- sending a long emotional statement but no clear timeline
- using language that sounds accusatory toward staff instead of explaining the impact
- missing the faculty deadline and not addressing the delay
- trying to use special consideration for a problem that really belongs in late withdrawal, remission, or appeal processes
If the deadline has already passed
If you are applying late, add one short paragraph explaining why the application was not lodged earlier. Universities often want both the original circumstances and a reason for delay. A late application without that explanation can fail even when the underlying issue was genuine.
If the assessment problem has already turned into a result problem, you may need to shift from special consideration into an appeal pathway or a university-specific process.
Quick filing checklist
- named the exact unit and assessment
- included dates for the disruption period
- explained the academic impact in one or two direct sentences
- listed each supporting document clearly
- requested a realistic, policy-available outcome
- checked the deadline and submission channel
Related guides
Students often pair this page with:
Need help checking whether special consideration is the right process?
If you are unsure whether your matter belongs in special consideration, late withdrawal, show cause, or a formal appeal, it can help to sort the process first before you submit the wrong request.
Start advice reviewFrequently asked questions
Should I attach a personal statement if I already have a medical certificate?
Usually yes, but keep it short. The certificate may show that something happened, while your letter explains how it affected the assessment and what outcome you are requesting.
Can I ask for remarking through special consideration?
Usually not. If the issue is the mark itself rather than a short-term disruption around assessment, you may need a grade review or appeal process instead.
What if my evidence is delayed?
Lodge within the deadline if you can, explain that supporting evidence is pending, and upload it as soon as the university allows. Do not assume a later document will excuse a missed filing deadline unless the policy says so.