We do not normally consider applicants who have not met our minimum academic requirements or those who are resitting their exams in order to upgrade their results unless applicants have experienced very serious personal difficulties at the time of first sitting which have impacted on their ability to perform to their potential. To be considered under the mitigiating circumstances policy, any serious personal difficulties experienced at the time of undertaking an examination must have been declared at the time of sitting to the relevant exam board.
We will consider applicants mitigating circumstances on a case-by-case basis according to the guidelines explained below.
For applicants who are seeking mitigation, information and supporting evidence should be submitted to medadm@abdn.ac.uk at the point of application and in all cases, no later than 22nd October. Please include your UCAS number in all correspondance. Extenuating circumstances submitted after this date will not be considered.
Although the information regarding extenuating circumstances can serve to contextualise the academic performance of an applicant, the final decision as to whether to offer or confirm a place on the programme, and under what conditions, will remain at the discretion of the Medical School
Guidelines
Suitable supporting evidence
For all extenuating circumstances we expect third party independant evidence of the circumstances . Extenuating Circumstances submissions without this will not be considered. Examples of acceptable evidence include:
- Letter(s) from doctor (on GMC register), hospital consultant, or other health professional.
- A police report, crime report or letter from a solicitor.
- Other relevant confirmation from a suitable third party.
And where appropriate:
- Details from school/college/education provider verifying the academic potential of the applicant, the nature of the circumstances, the timescale and impact on academic performance.
- Attendance reports from school/college/education provide.
School Leavers
Notification to examination board(s) (A-Level, Highers, GCSE and other relevant examinations).
The applicant must state clearly whether the examination board(s) has been informed of the mitigating situation, and what action has been taken as a result, including any appeals that may have been made and any further details the applicant considers to be relevant. If this information is not included, the Medical School will assume that the examination board(s) has been informed, and that the applicant's academic achievements reflect this. If examination board has not been informed, please indicate the reason why this did not occur.
The Medical School will respect the final award of the relevant examination body. We will not apply mitigation on their behalf.
Applicants who are 'borderline' for fulfilling criteria to meet conditions of offer (A levels, Highers or other relevant examinations)
Consideration may be given to applicants with extenuating circumstances whose achieved qualification grades mean they are 'borderline' for meeting the entry requirements of their offer for Aberdeen. Applicants whose grades are less than 'borderline' for meeting the entry requirements will not be considered further.
Taking more than normal number of years to complete academic programmes.
Applicants who take more than the normal number of years to complete examination courses should provide suitable supporting evidence as detailed in required supporting evidence section of guidelines. Applicants who do take more than the normal number of years to complete their qualification due to extenuating circumstances will be required to provide details of the circumstances and an explanation as to how these circumstances have affected academic performance.
Graduate Applicants
Degree classification
The University of Aberdeen does not consider applicants who have obtained a lower second class honours degree (or lower). Mitigating circumstances put forward for consideration in this respect would not be considered as we expect the university awarding the degree to have considered any relevant circumstances.
Subject requirements over and above degree.
In the case of graduate applicants, mitigating circumstances that affected the qualifications required over and above the degree, will not be taken into account if they were achieved prior to application. Chemistry can be re-taken in order to meet the medical degree programme entrance requirements, where required.
If extenuating circumstances affect the sitting of qualifications required as part of the conditions of offer for the medical degree programme (other than degree classification), then the policy on 'borderline' grades for fulfilling criteria to meet the conditions of offer (see previous section) will be applied.
UCAT
As the UCAT is a required entry requirement for medicine at Aberdeen, all applicants to Aberdeen must complete the UCAT by the appropriate closing date for that year's entry. Applicants should ensure that they register early for a test as being unable to gain a test sitting will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance for non-completion of the test.
If you are not fit to take the test due to illness or other personal circumstances, you must reschedule your test to a later date.
UCAT operates a fit to sit policy by presenting yourself for the test you are declaring yourself fit and well and we adhere to the guidance given on the UCAT website with regard to candidates who are not fit to take the test due to illness or other personal circumstances. We will only provide mitigation to circumstances that UCAT have officially noted and details provided to us from UCAT at the time of result delivery.
Please see the UCAT website for more information: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ucat/mitigating-circumstances/
Interview Attendance
Candidates will be invited for interview by email via the email address provided on their UCAS application and will be provided with details allowing them to book a time and date most convenient. (Candidates should check their spam folders regularly whilst their application for Aberdeen is still being considered. Missed invites will not be accomodated).
Please note that there will be no additional dates or slots available other than what is published on the website.
Please be aware that by taking part in the Multiple Mini-Interview you are declaring yourself fit, well and able to undertake the interview. If you are unwell on the day of the interview, or any unforeseen exceptional events occur, please let us know and we will try to reschedule the date.