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 University of Southampton, exam arrangements are known as Additional Exam Recommendations (AERs).
AERs are made according to individual need and students must provide evidence of their diagnosis to the Student Disability and Inclusion Team.
AERs can be arranged throughout the year, not just in the lead up to exams, however the 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 the semester 2 exam period of the 2023/24 academic year has now passed. The deadline for the supplementary period is Monday 1st July.
The deadline for the semester 1 period of the 2024/25 academic year has yet to be announced.
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 evidence, please contact us as we may be able to arrange AERs for your future exams.
Current students: How to access AERs
How to access interim AERs
If you received extra time or other exam arrangements 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 form and send this to The Student Hub.
We can only provide interim 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.
Please be aware that evidence from a teacher is not acceptable.
How to access permanent AERs
Complete either our AER only request form (if you are only seeking AERs) or our request for support form (if you'd like other support as well as AERs). You only need to complete one form. To complete either request form, please visit our request specialist support page on our SharePoint site.
You also need to send us a copy of your medical evidence as we are unable to implement AERs without this. For specific learning differences, evidence must be a Pre-16 or Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment Report.
If AERs are arranged for you, they will remain in place for the duration of your course.
If you are an undergraduate student and change course (including moving from undergraduate to post-graduate study), please complete our follow-up appointment request form to discuss this.
Prospective Students: How to access AERs
1. Declare on your health condition, disability or SpLD on your university application form.
2. Send us a copy of your medical evidence. 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 please contact 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 emergency AERs for you for one semester only. To be considered for emergency AERs please contact us with evidence as soon as possible following the injury.
I do not have medical evidence or a Pre-16 or Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment report for an SpLD: Can I still access AERs?
I do not have any medical evidence
If you do not have any medical evidence, we are unable to organise any AERs for you. If you require medical evidence for a disability or health condition, please contact your GP who may be able to provide you with a copy for you to send to us.
Find out how to obtain medical evidence.
View our supporting evidence guidance.
We may be able to arrange AERs for you if you obtain a '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 evidence. Your evidence 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 report report 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. Information on how to access a screening and diagnostic assessment can be found here.
2. If you are unable to have a Post-16 Full Diagnostic Assessment before the AER deadline, we may be able to arrange temporary AERs for you if you send a copy of the following to us:
- A JCQ8 form.
Please be aware evidence from a teacher is not acceptable. We 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 we are unable to arrange AERs for your upcoming exams unless you have a temporary injury and require emergency AERs. However, if you have sufficient evidence we may 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 University of Southampton'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 AER only request form 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.
Useful Downloads