The General Undergraduate Regulations, which came into force in October 2019, stipulate the following:

1. A valid reason for absence is required for non-submission of non-written assessments and home assignments. The level of evidence required is being left to individual Faculties to decide and make clear to their students. Reasons for absence are accepted or rejected at examiners’ level with the possibility of the student appealing against a decision.
   
   
2. For the first three opportunities, if the absence reason is accepted:
   • In case of non-written assessments, the examiner may require the student to EITHER be examined on another date during the same assessment session (opportunity not exhausted) OR to take the assessment at the next available opportunity, under the same conditions (opportunity missed);
   • In case of home assignments, examiners shall EITHER grant an extension of the deadline by a maximum of 3 weeks (opportunity not exhausted) OR allow the student to submit the assignment at the first practicable opportunity, but not later than a maximum of two months, after the initial deadline, under the same conditions.
     
     
3. If the reason is not accepted or no reason is submitted, a failing mark/grade is given
   • The student has the right to appeal the decision within 3 working days. 

Non-written Assessments

1. Deadline for Notification of Absence for Non-Written Assessments
   Students shall notify the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 2 hours before the time of the original assessment session.
   
   
2. Deadlines for Submission and Evaluation of Reason for Absence
   Students shall submit a detailed reason for absence to the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 5 days following the original assessment session. The Board of Examiners shall conclude their evaluation of the reason for absence by not later than 5 working days from the student’s submission and communicate their decision to the MAKS Faculty Office. Students shall be notified of the decision of the Board of Examiners by the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 6 working days from their submission of the detailed reason for absence.
   
   
3. Acceptance of Reason for Absence
   For the first three opportunities, if the reason for absence is accepted, the Board of Examiners shall: 
   • EITHER require the student to be examined on another date during the same assessment session (opportunity not exhausted);
   • OR Require the student to be examined to take the assessment at the next available opportunity, under the same conditions (opportunity missed). 
     
     
   For the fourth, final opportunity, please refer to the Final Assessment Opportunity clause below.
   
   
4. Rejection of Reason for Absence
   If no reason for absence is submitted within the 5-day limit, the student is given a 0 F grade hence missing an opportunity and subsequently sitting at the next assessment opportunity under resit conditions.
   If the reason for absence is rejected, the student shall similarly be given a 0 F grade and the MAKS Faculty Office shall communicate a detailed decision to the student by not later than 6 working days from the student’s submission of the reason of absence.

Home Assignments

1. Deadline for Notification of Non-Submission
   Students shall notify the Study-Unit Coordinator and the MAKS Faculty Office no later than 1 day before the original assessment due date that they are unable to submit the assignment by the due date.
   
   
2. Deadlines for Submission and Evaluation of Reason for Non-Submission
   Students shall submit a detailed reason for non-submission of the assignment to the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 5 days following the original submission date. The Board of Examiners shall conclude their evaluation of the reason for non-submission by not later than 5 working days from the student’s submission and communicate their decision to the MAKS Faculty Office. Students shall be notified of the decision of the Board of Examiners by the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 6 working days from their submission of the detailed reasons for non-submission of the assignment.
   
   
3. Acceptance of Reason for Non-Submission of Home Assignment
   For the first three opportunities, if the reason for non-submission of the assignment is accepted, the Board of Examiners shall: 
   • EITHER grant an extension of the deadline by a maximum of 3 weeks 
   • OR allow the student to submit the assignment at the first practicable opportunity, but not later than a maximum of two months, after the initial deadline, under the same conditions.
   For the fourth, final opportunity, please refer to Final Assessment Opportunity clause below.
   
   Following the acceptance of the reason for non-submission of the assignment the Board of Examiners may ask the student to communicate their progress in the assessment while also providing proof to substantiate their statements. This will enable the Board of Examiners to determine whether a deadline extension or a submission at the next available opportunity would be the most appropriate course of action.
   
   
4. Rejection of Reason for Non-Submission of Home Assignment
   If no reason is submitted for the non-submission of a home assignment within the 5-day limit as outlined in Deadlines for Submission and Evaluation of Reason for Non-Submission in this section, the student is given a 0 F grade hence missing an opportunity and subsequently sitting at the next assessment opportunity under resit conditions.
   If the absence reason is rejected, the student shall similarly be given a 0 F grade and the MAKS Faculty Office shall communicate a detailed decision to the student by not later than 6 working days from the student’s submission of the reason for non-submission of the assignment.
   
   
5. Late Assignment Submission
   Students who unjustifiably do not submit their assignment by the original deadline, will be penalised 10 marks (deducted from that particular assessment component) for each day following the deadline up to a maximum of 5 days. A 0 F grade shall be given upon termination of this 5-day period.

1. Students have the right to appeal the decisions taken by the Board of Examiners on their reason for absence or non-submission of their assignment. Appeals must be lodged with the MAKS Faculty Office within 3 working days of the communication of the Board of Examiners’ decision.
   
   
2. Appeals shall be evaluated by the Dean in consultation with the Chair of the Board of Examiners and the Head of Department. Should the Dean and/or the Head of Department be already involved in the study-unit’s assessment process, another MAKS academic member of staff should be tasked to perform this appeal evaluation.
   
   
3. Students shall be notified of the outcome of their appeal by the MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 5 working days from when the appeal is received.

1. Students are required to provide evidence of a valid reason to justify an absence (including medical reasons covered by medical reports). Such evidence shall be submitted to MAKS Faculty Office by not later than 24 hours from the assessment deadline/session.
   
   
2. A board appointed by Senate shall consider such claims and shall advise to Senate:

• If the reason is valid, that the student does the assessment at the next assessment session, under the same conditions; OR
• If the reason is not valid, that the student fails the assessment; OR
• Take any other action as necessary.