Extenuating Circumstances for Prospective Applicants
Applications for Extenuating Circumstances for 2026 entry for MBBS and BDS London is now closed
Extenuating Circumstances must be applied for in advance of making your UCAS application for prospective applicants who:
- Do not meet our minimum GCSE requirements.
- Graduates who take longer than 3 years to complete their undergraduate degree, or longer than 4 years to complete their 4-year integrated master’s degree due to interruption or re-sits.
- Retake AS or A level year or take longer than two years to complete A Levels.
- A level (or equivalent qualification) re-sit applicants must have applied for MBBS/BDS at Queen Mary University of London in the previous admissions cycle to be considered. Previous UCAS ID or QM Applicant ID must be provided on the extenuating circumstances application form.
- A level (or equivalent qualification) re-sit applicants must have achieved at least BBB (or equivalent) at their first attempt.
What are Extenuating Circumstances?
Queen Mary defines Extenuating Circumstances as follows:
“Extenuating circumstances are significant and unforeseen circumstances that are outside a student’s control and which have a negative impact on a student’s ability to undertake or complete any assessment so as to cast doubt the likely validity of the assessment as a measure of the student’s achievement.”
There is no definitive list, as all instances are considered on an individual case-by-case basis. However, listed below are some examples of extenuating circumstances which, when supported by appropriate evidence, could be understood as circumstances which might have a detrimental effect on the achievement of an applicant:
- Serious, acute or chronic illness preceding or during exams.
- Significant adverse personal/family circumstances preceding or during exams.
- Bereavement of a first degree relative preceding or during exams.
Extenuating Circumstances cannot be applied for in regards to a UCAT score.
Extenuating Circumstances must be approved by the Extenuating Circumstances panel prior to making a UCAS application. To be considered, applicants must complete the Extenuating Circumstances form and provide as much relevant supporting evidence as required to support their request.
Queen Mary University of London has a ‘fit to sit’ policy, which applies to all assessments. This means that if you sit an exam or submit an assignment, you are declaring yourself fit to do so and will approach Extenuating Circumstances with respect to examinations being taken for the purpose of admission in the same vein. Being ‘fit’ generally means that you are feeling well and functioning effectively. Therefore, if you are feeling unwell because of medical or personal difficulties, you should not sit an exam or submit an assignment.
MBBS 5-year A100, MBBS GEP 4-year A101 and BDS 5-year A200 Extenuating Circumstances applications:
The completed Extenuating Circumstances application form and all supporting documentation must be received by 30th September 2026.
No late Extenuating Circumstances application forms or supporting documentation will be considered after 30th September under any circumstances.
London Extenuating Circumstances Guidance [PDF 146KB]
London Extenuating Circumstances Request Form
Applications for Extenuating Circumstances for 2026 entry for MBBS Malta is open
MBBS Malta
Malta applicants must submit the relevant extenuating circumstances form and supporting evidence to smd-mbbs-malta@qmul.ac.uk