Deferred Standing (Final Exams and Assignments)

What is deferred standing?

Occasionally, a student may become ill, have a personal/family emergency, or religious observance which requires them to ask for special consideration for an alternate date to write their final exam or submit their outstanding coursework beyond the last day of classes. Students in these situations may request deferred standing.

A deferred standing is a formal arrangement with the course director, requiring supporting documentation where applicable. Students must formally apply using the Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Form.

For course-work, the agreement will set an alternate date for submission beyond the end of the term, at the discretion of the course director.

For final examinations, the agreement will approve you to write at another date. Note that make-up dates may be pre-determined and procedures will vary by department. This information is normally available on course outlines.

What about religious accommodations for a final exam?

If you cannot write a formally-scheduled final examination on its scheduled date because of religious commitment, then refer to the Religious Observance Policy and Accommodation Guidelines.

I am registered with Student Accessibility Services. What is my procedure?

Students who are registered with Student Accessibility Services should refer to instructions on how to reschedule a test or exam on the Alternate Exam/Test Scheduling site.

How can I request deferred standing?

You must formally request deferred standing. The deadline to submit this form is no later than one week after the missed examination or the last day of classes.

Most instructors will provide procedures and information about deferred standing in course outlines. Refer to those procedures for instructions specific to the course.

To apply:

  1. Download and complete the Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Agreement.
  2. Gather any relevant supporting documentation. Health issues* will require an Attending Physician's Statement. (*Note: This requirement has been suspended by Senate until December 31, 2023)
  3. Contact your instructor to review the form and receive approval for deferred standing. If the instructor does not approve the form, you may choose to submit an academic petition. Note that petitions may not be successful.
  4. Submit the signed, approved deferred standing form to the academic department that offers the course. The course outline may provide specific procedures for submission. Please ensure you keep a copy for yourself.
  5. Work towards completing the course work and/or writing the exam as per the agreed timeline on the signed form.
How does deferred standing appear on my record?

Once approved by the course director and submitted, a "DEF" or "Deferred" will appear on your transcript and grade report. The grade qualifier "DEF" will remain until the course director submits the final grade as per the agreement.

If the Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Form has:

  • not been submitted by the deadline;
  • was denied by the course director/; or,
  • the due date of the agreement has passed,

then the course grade will be calculated without the missing assignments or exams.

When will I need to complete the deferred exam / course work?

Each academic term has specific deadlines to submit deferred final grades to the Registrar’s Office. The Final Exam/Assignment Deferred Standing Agreement form asks the course director to specify the date on which the deferred examination must be written or by which the outstanding course work must be submitted. These deferral dates must give enough time for the submitted work to be graded and a final course grade to be calculated and submitted to the Registrar's Office.

The submission deadlines below are firm, and reflect the absolute deadline for academic departments/schools/units to submit deferred final grades to the Registrar’s Office.

Deadlines to Submit Revised Final Grades to the Registrar's Office
Faculty Fall Courses Winter and Full Year Courses Summer Courses
Faculty of Education
(non-practicum courses)
April 1 August 1 First term - September 1
Second term - October 1
Faculty of Education
(practicum courses)
At the discretion of the course director At the discretion of the course director At the discretion of the course director
Faculty of Environmental Studies April 1 August 1 First term: September 1
Second term: October 1
School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design April 1 August 1 First term: September 1
Second term: October 1
Glendon College April 1 August 1 First term: September 1
Second term: October 1
Faculty of Graduate Studies Consult with the Graduate Program Office or Office of the Dean Consult with the Graduate Program Office or Office of the Dean Consult with the Graduate Program Office or Office of the Dean
Faculty of Health April 1 August 1 First term: September 1
Second term: October 1
Lassonde School of Engineering April 1 August 1 October 30
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies April 1 August 1 First term: September 1
Second term: October 1
Osgoode Hall Law School Consult with the assistant dean of Student Services Consult with the assistant dean of Student Services N/A
Schulich School of Business Consult with the associate director of undergraduate programs in Schulich Student Services and International Relations Consult with the associate director of undergraduate programs in Schulich Student Services and International Relations Consult with the associate director of undergraduate programs in Schulich Student Services and International Relations
Faculty of Science April 1 August 1 October 30
What if I am unable to write the deferred exam and/or submit the deferred term work?

If you are unable to write your deferred final examination and/or complete the outstanding course work by the deadline specified by the course director on the approved Final Exam/Assignments Deferred Standing Agreement form, then you can submit a petition for an extension of deferred standing to your home Faculty. You must do so immediately. Petitions are also subject to your home Faculty's submission deadline.