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 19th October - 4th December 2026 Friday 25th September 2026
January exams 4th January – 10th January 2027 Friday 16th October 2026
Mid-Term 2 8th February - 25th March 2027 Friday 27th November 2026
May exams 4th May - 31st May 2027 Friday 22nd January 2027
Mid-Term 3 1st June - 11th June 2027 Friday 2nd April 2027
August exams (Referred/deferred) 7th August - 16th August 2027 Friday 25th June 2027
 

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 2026/27

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.