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 ºÚÁÏÉç, exam arrangements are known as Additional Exam Recommendations (AERs).
AERs are made according to individual need and students must provide supporting documentation of their diagnosis 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 put in place for each semester. All students will be advised of the AER deadline via email and SUSSED.
For more information regarding AERs and how they are applied in assessments, please see the 'understanding your AERs' document in the Useful Downloads section at the bottom of the page.
Current AER Deadlines
The deadline for applying for exam arrangements for semester two of the 2024/25 academic year has now passed.
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.
Current students: How to access AERs
How to access interimÌýAERs
If you received extra time or other examÌýarrangements from school or college, you may be eligible for interim AERs. Your school or college is required to complete a form called a JCQ8 for all students receiving exam recommendations. If you do not have one already, you should ask your school/college for a copy of this formÌýand send this to The Student Hub .
We can only provide interim AERs for aÌýmaximumÌýof two semesters. To be considered for AERs for the duration of your course, you must seek a Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment.
Please be aware that supporting documentation from a teacher is not acceptable.
How to accessÌýpermanent AERs
Please visit our on our SharePoint site and complete the request for support form.
You also need to send us a copy of your supporting documentation as we are unable to implement AERs without this. For specific learning differences, supporting documentation must be a Pre-16 or Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment Report.
If you have not already provided supporting documentation to us, you can either upload a copy of your documentation as part of completing the request for support form, or you can submit this to us by emailing studenthub@soton.ac.uk.
If AERsÌýare arranged for you, theyÌýwill remain in place for the duration of your course.
If you areÌýan undergraduate student and change course (including moving from undergraduate to post-graduate study), please complete the request for support form to discuss this.
Prospective Students: How to access AERs
1. Declare on your health condition, disability or specific learning difference (SpLD) on your university application form.
2. Send us a copy of your supporting documentation. For an SpLD this must be a Pre-16 or Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment report.
3. Attend our Transition Programme for prospective students in August and September. If you are unable to participate in the Transition Programme pleaseÌýcontact us to arrange specialist support for your studies.
Temporary injuries: How to access AERs
If you require AERs due to a temporary injury such as a broken arm, we may be able to organise emergencyÌýAERs for you for one semester only . To be considered forÌýemergency AERs please contact us with supporting documentationÌýas soon as possible following the injury.
I do not haveÌýsupporting documentation or a full diagnostic assessment report for a specific learning difference. Can I still access AERs?
I do not have anyÌýsupporting documentation
If you do not have any supporting documentation, we are unable to organise any AERs for you.ÌýIf you require supporting documentation forÌýa disability or health condition, please contact yourÌýGP who may be able to provide you with a copy for you to send to us.
Find out how to obtain supporting documentation.
View our supporting documentation.
We may be able to arrange AERs for you if you obtainÌýa 'working diagnosis' from your healthcare provider, such as your GP.  Please note that when requesting a working diagnosis, it must be from a medical professional who has been involved in your care or they will be unlikely to provide the required supporting documentation.  Your supporting documentation must confirm a 'working diagnosis', that the diagnosis is long-term and must also include its effects on your day-to-day life and studies.
I do not have a Pre-16 or Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment report
If you do not have a diagnostic assessment reportÌýreport we recommend that you:
1. Make arrangements to be have a Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment. Please note, you must send us a copy of your Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment report prior to the AER deadline to be considered for AERs for your upcoming exams. View information on how to access a screening and diagnostic assessment.
2. If you are unable to have a Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment before the AER deadline,Ìýwe may be able to arrange temporary AERs for youÌýif you send a copy of theÌýfollowing to us:
-ÌýA JCQ8 form.
Please be aware supporting documentation from a teacher is not acceptable.ÌýWe can only provide temporary AERs for a maximum of two semesters. To be considered for AERs for the duration of your course you must seek a Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment.
What happens if I miss the AER deadline?
If you miss the AER deadline weÌýare unable to arrange AERs for your upcoming exams unless you have a temporary injury and require emergency AERs. However, if you have supporting documentation weÌýmay be able to arrange AERs for your future exams. If you feel disadvantaged as a result of this you may wish to apply for special considerations .
Who is informed about my AERs?
If AERs are agreed by our team, your faculty will be advised of your disability/health condition/specific learning difference and informed of any AERs made for you.
Your AERs will also be added to Banner so the exams office are aware of your recommendations when they schedule exams.
For more information on how data is shared at the university, please view the ºÚÁÏÉç's privacy notice .
I need to change my AERs: What should I do?
If you would like any adjustments to be made to your AERs, please complete our to discuss this.
If any adjustments are made to your AERs, your recommendations will be updated and your faculty will be made aware. Please note you must contact us by the AER deadline for these to be implemented for your next set of exams.
Any further AER queries?
Please contact the Student Disability and Inclusion Team via The Student Hub.
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Useful Downloads