What is the meaning of special consideration?

At VU, special consideration is a formal adjustment process for students hit by acute, unexpected circumstances that negatively impact assessment submission, exam attendance, or performance.

Can you apply for special consideration?

Yes — if your circumstances are serious, unexpected, and beyond your control, and they affect study or assessments, you can apply for VU special consideration with supporting evidence.

What qualifies for special consideration?

Examples of VU lists include serious illness or injury requiring hospitalisation, bereavement, involvement in a serious accident or crime, natural disaster, or unexpected major increase in work hours for domestic students.

What are examples of special consideration?

VU’s own examples include being unwell on the day of an exam and providing medical documentation, or needing more time due to an unexpected funeral and attaching supporting documents like a funeral notice and statutory declaration.

What is a good excuse for special consideration?

The safest answer is: don’t aim for an “excuse.” Aim for a verifiable reason that meets VU’s standard of serious, unexpected, and beyond your control — and back it with evidence.

What is a good excuse to get an extension on an assignment?

If the issue was known in advance (like an unavoidable work or family commitment), VU’s policy supports requesting a short extension rather than special consideration. Evidence like an employer letter helps.

How soon do I need to apply?

For Higher Education, VU says to apply within three working days of the assessment due date, and late applications need an exceptional-circumstances explanation letter.

Can I use screenshots or photos as evidence?

VU warns students not to upload sensitive images and states images are not acceptable evidence for assessment of special consideration.

VU Special Consideration Guide – What It Is Who Can Apply & How to Get It Approved

Q: What can I get if my VU special consideration is approved?

Possible outcomes include an extension, special exam, alternative assessment, late penalty removal, or adjustments to marks.

VU special consideration is Victoria University’s formal process for students whose studies are impacted by acute, unexpected circumstances. It can apply to assignments and the special consideration VU exam process, and can lead to outcomes like an extension, special exam, alternative assessment, late penalty removal, or mark adjustment.

You usually need to apply within three working days of the assessment due date or exam, and you’ll need evidence like a medical certificate, VU treating professional document, or statutory declaration. If your issue was known in advance, you may be better off requesting a short extension instead of special consideration.

What does “special consideration” mean at VU?

In the special consideration policy VU uses for Higher Education, special consideration is an adjustment option for students affected by acute, unexpected circumstances that impact assessment submission, exam attendance, or performance. It is also used when you need an extension longer than five working days.

VU special consideration vs short extensions - what’s the difference?

This is where most students lose time.

Short extension

Best when you know in advance you’ll need more time due to commitments like employment, family, cultural or religious obligations, elite sport, or other circumstances outside your control.
It’s for shorter time frames (special consideration is for extensions longer than five working days).

VU special consideration

Best when something unexpected and serious happens and affects your assessment or exam.
Covers performance impact, submission impact, or exam attendance issues.
Can lead to more formal outcomes than a short extension.

Who can apply for Victoria University special consideration?

You can apply for Victoria University special consideration if the circumstances are:

Beyond your control
Serious and unexpected
Affect your ability to study or complete assessments

Common examples VU recognises include:

Serious illness or injury, hospitalisation
Bereavement of a close family member
Being involved in or witnessing a serious accident or crime
Natural disaster affecting your home
Unexpected major increase in work hours (domestic students only)

What usually doesn’t qualify for special consideration at VU

VU specifically flags examples that don’t meet the bar, including:

Circumstances within your control
Not understanding census dates or withdrawal procedures
Financial difficulties on their own
Voluntary increase in work hours

Also worth knowing: loss or corruption of digital files is not treated as exceptional without other serious factors — VU expects students to keep copies.

How to apply for special consideration VU

Here’s the process PickMyUni coaches students to follow.

Step 1: Identify the right pathway

Higher Education: apply via the online HE special consideration application form through MyVU login.
VET/TAFE: use the VET extension request process and submit with evidence, with earlier timing requirements than HE.

Step 2: Check the deadline

For VU Higher Education special consideration, you generally apply within three working days of the assessment due date.

Late applications can still be considered if exceptional circumstances prevented you from applying on time, and VU asks you to attach a short letter explaining why.

Step 3: Gather supporting documentation

VU expects independent supporting documentation.

Medical reasons

Medical certificate or the VU Treating Professional Supporting Document.
If you can’t get the medical documentation within the deadline, VU directs students to provide a statutory declaration outlining the circumstances.

Non-medical reasons

Evidence like an employer letter, police statement, funeral notice, statutory declaration, or other supporting letter from an appropriate authority.

VU says do not upload sensitive images, and it notes that images are not acceptable evidence for special consideration decisions.

Step 4: Submit the application

Once you lodge, VU confirms lodgement by email and advises outcomes by email. Processing times vary depending on complexity and staff availability.

Special consideration VU Exam

If you missed an exam, couldn’t attend, or were unwell on the day, VU special consideration can lead to a special examination or another approved arrangement.

VU even gives a clear example: being unwell on exam day, seeing a doctor for documentation, and lodging the special consideration application right after the exam.

What outcomes can VU approve?

If approved, VU may provide:

Extension of time
Special examination
Alternative assessment activity
Removal of a late penalty
Adjustments to marks

If your application is rejected

If you believe the decision should be reviewed, VU’s student guidance says you can request a review through the Course Chair and you generally must do so within three working days of the rejection notice.

VU special consideration form

For Higher Education assessment issues, VU points students to the online HE special consideration application form via MyVU login.

For medical evidence, the VU Treating Professional Supporting Document is a standard attachment.