Exams and Grades

Academic Concessions

Academic concessions are defined by the university and the full definition can be found on the Academic Calendar here.

In-Class Concessions

An In-Class academic concession is negotiated between a student and an instructor in a case where circumstances allow.

Late Withdrawal

This form is for undergraduate Engineering students who missed the Withdrawal deadline under circumstances that constitute grounds as outlined in the UBC Academic Concession policy. Students under such circumstances may be eligible for a Late Withdrawal (with a “W” Standing) from one or more of their courses.

A  Late Withdrawal will only be considered if an eligible student:

  • Has kept up with course material
  • Has been regularly attending classes 
  • Has not attended the in-class exam
  • Has been prevented from completing the course for a valid reason with supporting documentation 

An eligible student can apply within 48 hours of the missed exam. 

Exam Concessions

Out-of-Time (OOT) Exams 

An OOT Exam is available for undergraduate engineering students who must miss their in-class exam to participate in observances of religious significance or observances of cultural importance to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students (Senate policy J-136 and UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar). Under such circumstances, students may be eligible for an OOT Exam accommodation.

Eligible students have until the withdraw deadline of the relevant academic term to submit their request. 

Standing Deferred (SD) Exams 

Students are encouraged to write their in-class exams and an SD exam request should be approached as a last resort. 

Should an undergraduate Engineering student find themself unable to complete a final exam, under circumstances that constitute grounds as outlined in the UBC Academic Concession policy, they may be eligible for a Standing Deferred (SD) final exam. 

An SD Exam will only be considered if an eligible student:

  • Has kept up with course material
  • Has been regularly attending classes 
  • Has not attended the in-class exam
  • Has been prevented from attending the final exam for a valid reason with supporting documentation 
  • Is prepared to write the exam at any given time 

An eligible student must apply within 48 hours of the missed exam. 

Exam Hardship or Exam Clashes

Should a student face an exam hardship or clash in their exam schedule, the school will present the eligible student with the option to write their exam on an alternative date. This alternative date is not subject to further adjustment.  

Grades

Review of MARKED Exam

After an exam has been graded and the grade has been posted, students can request a Review of Marked Exam. If after that point, the student believes they were unfairly graded, they may request a Review of Assigned Standing. Review the links for the timelines to submit these requests.

Academic Standing and Degree Progression

Your standing in the program is determined once per year via the process of Sessional Evaluation. Each May, once the Term 2 grades are finalized for that academic year, the School of Engineering reviews grades and according to the Academic Regulations outlined here, sorts students into either Good Standing (eligible to continue), On Academic Probation (eligible to continue on a reduced course load), or Failed Standing, Required to Withdraw (requiring a minimum of one year off with application for readmission required). Should you be assigned a Failed Standing, you would have the right to appeal to change your standing to Failed Standing, Permitted to Continue, but this outcome is not guaranteed.

Note: the appeals process isn’t just looking for the student to explain why they underperformed, but also for the student to demonstrate that they have made the changes required (or that their circumstances have sufficiently changed) in order for them to be academically successful.