for the most current and up-to-date information.Ìý
Students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difference (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or slow cognitive processing) may be eligible to receive exam arrangements such as extra time, rest breaks and/or smaller exam rooms. At the University of Southampton, exam arrangements are known as Additional Exam Recommendations (AERs).
AERs are made according to individual need and students must provide supporting documentation of their disability, health condition or specific learning difference to the Student Disability and Inclusion Team.
AERs can be arrangedÌýthroughout the year, not just inÌýthe lead up to exams, howeverÌýthe University has AER deadlines in place to ensure support can be implemented for each semester. All students will be advised of the AER deadline via email and SUSSED.
Please note: if you already have permanent AERs in place through our team, these will remain in place for the duration of your course. This means you do not need to apply for these again, unless you would like to make any changes to your exam arrangements. Ìý
Current AER Deadlines
The deadline for applying for exam arrangements for semester oneÌýof the 2025/26 academic year is Friday 14 November.
The deadline for applying for exam arrangements for semester two of the 2025/26 academic year is Friday 20 March.
We recommend contacting us prior to the deadline date to ensure additional arrangements for exams are organised as early as possible.
If you have any concerns or if you miss the deadline but have sufficient supporting documentation, please contact us as weÌýmay be able to arrange AERs for your future exams.
How to access AERs
To request AERs, please complete ourÌý.Ìý
You also need to send us a copy of your supporting documentationÌýas it's unlikely that we can implement AERs without this.Ìý
If you have not already provided this to us, you can either upload a copy of yourÌýsupporting documentation as part of completing the request for support form, or you can submit this to us by emailingÌýstudenthub@soton.ac.uk.Ìý
If you areÌýan undergraduate student and change course (including moving from undergraduate to post-graduate study), please complete ourÌýÌýto discuss thisÌýwith your practitioner.
I do not have supporting documentation for my disability/health condition/neurodivergent condition. Can I still access AERs?
We are unable to organise any AERs for you without supporting documentation.
Please visit ourÌýÌýpage for further information.Ìý
Temporary injuries: How to access emergency AERs on an interim basis
If you require AERs due to a temporary injury such as a broken arm, The Student Hub may be able to organise emergencyÌýAERs for you, for one semester only. To be considered forÌýemergency AERs please contactÌýthe Student HubÌýwith supporting documentationÌýas soon as possible following the injury.
What sort of supporting information do I need to access exam arrangements?
If you require reasonable adjustments for your studies, or exam arrangements such as extra time, we ask that you send us supporting information as soon as possible so that we can be fully informed about how best to support you during your time at university.
This could include:
- A letter or report from a doctor/healthcare provider.
- Any supporting information you have submitted as part ofÌýÌýapplications.
- Other supporting documentation.Ìý
This could be a printout or scan of your medical records, information from the NHS app or a clear picture or copy of any medication prescriptions. ¸£Àû×ÅƬ out more information about medical records viaÌýÌýorÌý. - A specific learning differences diagnostic assessment report.
- A JCQ8 form.
Your school or college is required to complete aÌýJCQ8 form for students receiving exam arrangements for their public exams. You can obtain a copy of this from your school/college. - A JCQ9 form.
The JCQ9 form is used by SENCOs for pupils with a physical disability, sensory impairment or medical condition such as ADHD, autism and mental health conditions. ÌýJCQ9 forms can be obtained by contacting your previous school/college.
The above list is not exhaustive -we ask that you send us any supporting information that you have. Please send your supporting information toÌýThe Student HubÌýwith the following subject line: Supporting information for the Student Disability and Inclusion Team.
If you don’t have any supporting information, or you’d like to discuss your individual circumstances with us, then please emailÌýstudenthub@soton.ac.uk.
What happens if I miss the AER deadline?
If you miss the AER deadline, weÌýwill be unable to arrange AERs for the upcoming exam period. If you have a short-term temporary injury and require AERs on an emergency basis, please contactÌýThe Student HubÌýas they may be able to arrange this for you.Ìý
If you feel disadvantaged as a result of this, you may wish to apply forÌýSpecial Considerations.
Who is informed about my AERs?
If AERs are agreed by our team, your faculty will beÌýadvisedÌýof your disability/health condition/specific learning difference and informed of any AERs made for you.ÌýÌý
Your AERs will also be added to Banner so the exams office will beÌýaware of your recommendations when they schedule exams.
For more information on how data is shared at the University, please view theÌýUniversity of Southampton's Privacy Notice.Ìý
I need to change my AERs: What should I do?
If you would like any adjustments to be made to your AERs, please complete ourÌýÌýto discuss this.Ìý
If any adjustments are made to your AERs, your recommendations will be updated, and your facultyÌýwillÌýbe made aware. Please note you must contact us by the AER deadline for these to be implemented for your next set of exams.
Help with understanding your exam arrangements and how they apply
Ìý
Please view our guidance below, which includes:
- • Where you can find your AERs.Ìý
- • When AERs are applied and when they are not.Ìý
- • Other types of AERs.Ìý
- • Looking after your wellbeing.Ìý
- • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).