Exams and Assessment
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Religious Observance and Examinations

The University of Exeter values and respects the religious beliefs and practices of its students. Recognising that some religious festivals and holy days may overlap with key examination periods, the University is committed to handling requests for religious observance with fairness and sensitivity.

Students are responsible for notifying the University about any religious beliefs that might conflict with their exam schedules. Once notified, the Exams Office will make reasonable efforts to accommodate students who cannot take exams on specific days due to religious observance. They will strive to make appropriate adjustments while maintaining the integrity and proper conduct of the examinations.

What you need to do to

Students who wish to observe religious festivals or holy days that conflict with a scheduled examination can submit a request to the University. To do so, students should complete the "Religious Observance form", which is available below. Please complete this form as early as possible to avoid missing any deadlines. Deadlines are set for each Exam period as shown below in the table.

 

University examination session University examination dates (TBC) Completed form to be returned no later than:
Mid-Term 1 20th October - 5th December 2025 Friday 26th September 2025
January exams 5th – 11th January 2026 Friday 17th October 2025
Mid-Term 2 9th February - 27th March 2026 Friday 28th November 2025
May exams 5th May - 31st May 2026 Friday 23rd January 2026
Mid-Term 3 1st June - 12th June 2026 Friday 3rd April 2026
August exams (Referred/deferred) 8th August - 17th August 2026 Friday 26th June 2026
 

When a formal request is approved allowing a student to miss the scheduled exam time, the faculty and/or Exams Office (depending on the type of exam) will make every reasonable effort to provide an alternative arrangement. This might involve the student taking the same exam at a different time, ensuring the exam paper's security, or if this isn't feasible, taking the exam at the next available opportunity.

Religious Observance Form 2025/26

Please ensure that you re-submit a form each academic year.

The University’s Multifaith Chaplaincy Team are available to advise students on balancing religious commitments with examination schedules. Additionally, students can seek advice from the Students Guild on any issues that may impact their studies or assessments.