Request for the students to have an option to defer exams on a case by case individual basis

The 2020 academic year has been less than ideal for everyone. Despite efforts to "get on with the year", some MProf students have expressed that the quality of work has suffered as a result of the rushed approach to completing their dissertations. The transition to online learning, especially in the final year of study, has not been swift. We are not an incompetent, lazy or 'an excuse making' group. It is evident in the July and October reviews, that not all students have transitioned well and continue to be significantly behind schedule. Deregistration is not an option as we have paid the full amount of tuition this year and we intend to complete this academic year, as we have stayed the course. We acknowledge that the final examination has been moved from 22-25 November to 7-8 December, however a TWO WEEK extension for A WHOLE YEAR impacted by the Covid pandemic is not sufficient.

To be clear, we are not asking for the examination calendar to be reshuffled. We are asking for the option to be examined at a more suitable date without additional fees being incurred. We need management to realize that the year not going as planned has affected the student's work. Students are experiencing high levels of distress and would just like the option to competently complete their dissertations.

This petition aims to gauge how many MProf students would need this option. It is only as a collective that we will be able to negotiate the terms of our final year. Please sign the petition if this matter has negatively affected you.