Special Circumstances - “S” Code
“S” Coding is the method the University uses to recognise that special circumstances have affected performance in the modules concerned. “S” coding may only be applied to honours or taught Postgraduate modules (excluding – taught postgraduate project or dissertation modules). “S” coding may only be applied as a result of, and with the explicit consent of the student and with the approval of the School. The final decision to “S” code a module grade rests with the School. You should be aware that a maximum of 25% of the total number of Honours credits required for the award of a degree may be “S” coded. Masters dissertations may not be “S” coded.
If you feel that most or all of the work of a module has been adversely affected by personal circumstances during your honours years or during the taught modules of a taught postgraduate programme you should contact the Director of Teaching (email: histdot) indicating the circumstances of the difficulty experienced. This may relate to ongoing illness, close family bereavement of other significant personal difficulties.
You must bring this information to the attention of the School as soon as possible as there are a number of ways to deal with such situations, “S” coding being the final option. It may be possible (and it is viewed as preferable) to arranged deferred assessments or extended submission dates rather than applying “S” to the entire module. However it should be noted that if such arrangements are made, (extensions or deferred assessments etc.), it is unlikely that you will also be entitled to have the module “S” coded as well.
Further information on the University’s Policy and Procedures on Special Circumstances may be obtained from section B
of “Assessment Policies and Procedures which can be found at:
http://foi.st-andrews.ac.uk/PublicationScheme/servlet/core.generator.gblobserv?id=1500
or from the Student Services Guide – “A Student’s Guide to S-Coding” [MS Word Document}