Stepping onto a university campus is a thrilling, sometimes overwhelming, experience. Amidst the excitement of new beginnings and the buzz of lectures, there's a crucial digital hub designed to be your constant companion: the student portal. Think of it as your personal command center, streamlining everything from your academic life to essential administrative tasks.
At its heart, the portal is about providing essential information at your fingertips. Need to check your class schedule? That's there. Wondering about your latest exam results? You'll find them. It's also your gateway to key university services. Solent Online Learning (SOL), for instance, is where much of your course material and interaction with tutors will live. And let's not forget the library services – a treasure trove of resources that are easily accessible through the portal.
Beyond the day-to-day, the portal keeps you in the loop. Recent news updates highlight important campus happenings. For example, there's been an update on the Disabled Student Commitment action plan, showing a commitment to inclusivity. We're also seeing exciting developments in teaching methods, with a new approach for students starting in September 2026. And for those planning their academic journey, option choices are opening soon, with selections for the 2026/27 academic year kicking off on March 9th. It’s also worth noting that the university has been recognized for its nursing programs, being shortlisted for two categories at the Nursing Times Awards 2026. Even practical matters, like awareness of planned marches that might cause disruptions, are communicated here.
One area where the portal truly shines is in supporting students through challenging times. Life doesn't always go according to plan, and the university understands that personal circumstances can impact your studies. This is where the concept of 'extenuating circumstances' (EC) comes into play. If something significant and unforeseen happens that affects your ability to attend class or submit an assessment on time, it's vital to let the university know as soon as possible. The Student Hub is your first port of call for advice, and they can guide you on the best course of action. Trying to address issues after results are out, for instance, is usually too late.
The university defines extenuating circumstances as significant, unforeseen, and typically short-term matters that have a major impact on your ability to complete or attend an assessment. If your EC request is accepted, you might receive a seven-day extension without penalty or the chance to submit the work during the next opportunity (a deferral). It's important to know that for resit work, late submissions are generally not allowed unless an EC for a late submission has been approved, in which case marks are capped at 40%.
Navigating the EC process can sometimes feel a bit uncertain, especially if you're unsure if your request will be approved before a deadline. In such cases, you might have to submit your work late, with the understanding that any penalties will be removed if your EC application is successful. The policy is designed for issues that don't last longer than 20 working days (or 25 with a compelling reason). For longer-term issues, suspension might be a more appropriate route, and again, the Student Hub is there to help.
There have been updates to the EC Policy for the 2023/24 academic year. Now, you can 'self-certify' for up to two assessment submissions per semester, allowing for a seven-day extension on coursework or a deferral of an exam to the resit period, without needing immediate evidence. However, self-certification isn't accepted for deferring coursework. For any additional applications or to defer coursework, evidence will be required, as outlined in the policy. Crucially, the university operates a 'fit-to-study' policy. This means that if you choose to submit coursework or sit an exam, you're declaring yourself fit to do so. You can't later claim illness to have your work marked differently if you've already participated in the assessment. Your EC claim would be disregarded in such instances.
All extenuating circumstances applications need to be submitted through the Student Gateway. Student Registry will consider them, and you'll be notified of the outcome via your Solent email address. It’s a system designed to offer support when you need it most, ensuring that unforeseen challenges don't derail your academic journey.
