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Student Policies and Regulations

Aegrotat Policy

An Aegrotat award is an exceptional award to allow students to complete a qualification. It may be made if a student is permanently prevented from continuing with or completing their modules or qualification, usually due to serious illness or death.

The Open University may award an Aegrotat qualification on the presumption that the student would have satisfied the standard required for the award had they been able to continue. Aegrotats are only awarded at qualification level (e.g. Certificate of Higher Education, Diploma of Higher Education, BA or BSc Undergraduate Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, MA, or MSc Postgraduate Degree etc.) The Open University takes a holistic view of the student’s academic record and will consider them for the next qualification they are progressing towards. This will include any available interim qualifications.

If you require this Aegrotat Policy document in an alternative format, please Contact Us (phone +44 (0)300 303 5303), or your dedicated Student Support Team via StudentHome if you are a current Open University student. Students living in Wales can contact a student support advisor in Welsh on 029 2047 1170 or email wales-support@open.ac.uk should you wish to do so.


Policy Document

  • Aegrotat Policy (PDF, 339KB)

    For: This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students studying a module that leads to an academic qualification. This policy does not apply to students or learners studying modules or courses that do not lead to a recognised qualification or to postgraduate research students.

For more information about changes to policy, terms and conditions, and curriculum visit the change log.


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