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Late submission penalties for assignments

Find out what happens if you submit assessed work after the deadline, including how late penalties are applied and when a mark of zero may be awarded.

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What happens if I submit an assignment late?

In most cases, you can submit assessed work up to five days after the assignment deadline, unless the assignment is a referral.

If you submit work after the deadline, including after an approved coursework extension, the University's late submission policy will apply (except for online time-limited assessments).

This means marks may be deducted depending on how late your work is submitted.

It is usually possible to submit your work up to five days beyond the submission deadline for an assignment, unless it is a referral assignment.

Late submission penalties

Levels 0, 4, 5 and 6

If an assignment is submitted up to five days late, the numeric grade will be reduced by 10 grade points for each day, or part day, that it is late (or each working day for hard copy submissions).

The penalty will stop once the grade reaches 40.

If the original grade is below 40, no late penalty will be applied.

This also applies to deferred assignments, but not referred assignments.

Level 7

If an assignment is submitted up to five days late, the numeric grade will be reduced by 10 grade points for each day, or part day, that it is late (or each working day for hard copy submissions).

The penalty will stop once the grade reaches 50.

If the original grade is below 50, no late penalty will be applied.

This also applies to deferred assignments, but not referred assignments.

When will I receive a mark of zero?

A grade of 0 will be awarded if:

  • a referred assignment is submitted after the published deadline
  • an assignment (including a deferred assignment) is submitted more than five days late
  • a hard copy assignment is submitted more than five working days after the deadline

Hard copy submissions

For assessments that require hard copy submission, a working day means a weekday when the University is open for business, including vacation periods.

Need support?

If you submit work late, it is recommended that you speak to your Module Leader and/or Personal Tutor so they are aware of your circumstances and can provide advice and support.

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