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Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz (10%)

This is a multiple choice quiz worth 10 marks. It is based on all the material from weeks 1-3 (lectures and tutorials). You must access and complete it on Canvas. The quiz will consist of 10 questions and you have 60 minutes to complete it. All questions are equally weighted. There is no negative marking (where a wrong answer loses you marks). You will get one attempt at this quiz. You will not be able to to go back to a previous question once you submitted your answer to it. The below quiz and the weekly tutorial quizzes provide some guidance as to what the assessment task 1 will look like in terms of format and type of questions.

Sample Quiz

1. Based on the table below, using the midpoint formula, what is the income elasticity of demand for good X?

-3.5 -0.29 0.29 3.5

2. Which of the following statements is not correct, based on the figure below?

When the price is $10, quantity supplied equals quantity demanded. When the price is $6, there is a surplus of 8 units When the price is $12, there is a surplus of 4 units. When the price is $16, quantity supplied exceeds quantity demanded by 12 units.

3. Which of the following phrases best captures the notion of efficiency?

Minimum Waste Absolute Fairness Equal Distribution Equitable Outcome

Income Q of X Purchased

$30,000 2

$40,000 6

4. Suppose Jim and Tom can both produce baseball bats. If Jim’s opportunity cost of producing baseball bats is lower than Tom’s opportunity cost of producing baseball bats, then

Tom must have an absolute advantage in the production of baseball bats. Jim must have an absolute advantage in the production of baseball bats. Tom has a comparative advantage in the production of baseball bats. Jim has a comparative advantage in the production of baseball bats.

5. The cross-price elasticity of demand between Kit Kat and Mars is negative. Based on this information alone, we can conclude the two products are substitutes

True False

6. Economics is primarily the study of

the state, nation, government, and politics and policies of governments the problems related to the existence and evolution of society how agents choose to allocate scarce resources and how these choices affect society the mental functions and behaviour of individuals and groups

7. Which of the following statements correctly highlights the difference between microeconomics and macroeconomics?

Microeconomics deals with a small part of the economy, whereas macroeconomics deals with aggregate economic performance. Microeconomics describes what economic agents actually do, whereas macroeconomics describes what economic agents ought to do. Microeconomics primarily deals with positive analysis, whereas macroeconomics primarily deals with normative analysis. Microeconomics is descriptive, whereas macroeconomics is advisory.

8. Which of the following best describes equilibrium?

A stable situation where no economic agent would benefit by changing his or her behaviour A situation where economic agents do not optimise as they do not have perfect information A situation where only one individual or firm makes an optimal decision A situation where the government intervenes to allocate resources

9. Empiricism is analysis that uses ________ to test theories.

illustrations philosophy data value judgments

10. Which of the following is an example of a positive economic statement?

An increase in income causes an increase in savings. Eliminating poverty is more important than reducing inflation. Economics is the most useful social science. The government should ideally work as a welfare state.

Assessment Task 2: Microeconomic Report (40%) Using models and theories of either (1) the market or (2) market failure (i.e. only material from lectures 2 to 6), perform a microeconomic analysis of one specific appropriate issue or phenomenon of your choice. Clearly explain your chosen question, method and conclusions.

Assessments task 2 has limit of 1500 words to be submitted on Canvas. Your submissions should be word processed (i.e. produced using a program such as Microsoft Word) and contain word count and bibliography. There are no specific requirements for font size or typeface, spacing or margins other than that your document should be easy to read. You also do not need an executive summary or other elements not specifically mentioned here. For every 10% word count (counting everything but the bibliography) over the limit you will lose 10% of the assignment marks until it reaches zero. There is no discretionary margin above this limit. There is no minimum but you are advised to use all the words allowed to allow for a more developed and detailed analysis.

Your submission will receive an automatic Turnitin similarity score that should not exceed 25%. You should check this score using the tool on Canvas before submitting. Exceeding this limit raises the risk of your submission being subject to an academic integrity process. As per University regulations late assignments receive a 10% penalty per day until the mark reaches zero. Marks will be given according to the rubrics on Canvas. You must attach a completed coversheet with your submission (template appended below).

Your task is to conduct microeconomic analysis of an issue that you select yourself, just as businesspeople and policymakers do. You will be assessed on what you learnt in the course by correctly choosing and applying definitions, methods and theories from lectures and tutorials 2-6. As this is a microeconomics assignment you should not write a general or journalistic report or use concepts from other courses not discussed in this course, including macroeconomics.

Clearly structure your report (depending on topic), for instance using numbered sections for each of the parts of the task, e.g. introduction, concepts, model, analysis and conclusion. Introduction and conclusion will normally be shorter. The length of individual sections could reflect their weights in the grading shown in the rubric below. Sample topics, questions relating to them and appropriate methods/analytical tools are given in

Assessment 2 Steps

1 Choose topic and question

Look at the business and economics news for ideas for an appropriate issue. It needs to fit the purpose of microeconomics (lecture 1) – a topical, important example of resource allocation with questions you can answer by applying microeconomic methods from the lectures relevant to the assignment. State the question, why it’s interesting and economically significant. Present facts or descriptive data to illustrate. The issue needs to be a specific (topical or historical) case. This means you will discuss a specific market for a product, service or factor of production in a specific context rather than a general economic issue or problem. Also make sure your topic does not fall within macroeconomics, which is not covered in this course.

2 Select your methods (concepts and models)

Select the right method (i.e. microeconomic model, theory or tool from lectures and tutorials 2-6 to answer your question.

3 Explain your concepts and models

Explain your method. Assume your reader needs to be explained every concept and model needed to follow your analysis, as if you are teaching your reader these.

4 Analyse your topic

Apply the method to your issue. Report the different steps of your analysis and your findings. Typical analysis applies the tools from the relevant lectures to your specific case. Use relevant diagrams or models as they answer the question better than only words. If your chosen method comes with such models (e.g. diagrams or graphs), not using these in your assignment will result in a significant loss in marks.

5 Conclude Your conclusion will directly answer the question and maybe look at the big picture – the significance and limitations of your work. Provide answer to questions like: What have we learnt from your analysis for business or government policy? So what?

the table below. They are taken from lectures and the tutorial questions you tackled in class. Please do not use these or indeed any examples from classes as choosing an original topic and analytic tool by yourself is part of the assessment. These and other cases discussed in lectures and tutorials give you an idea of how to complete this assignment.

You are required to send your tutor a short email with a short summary your chosen topic and questions (please do not send full drafts) for approval at least two weeks before the deadline. You must append a copy your tutor’s approval email to your submission. Failure to do so will result in a grade deduction of 5%. It will be your responsibility to ensure you completed your assessment in good time. Managing this project and your time will be critical for your success.

In addition to this document, guidance for assignment 2 is available from: (1) a video that contains important guidance on report writing in economics, (2) a tutorial devoted to the assignments, (3) the email exchange with your tutor and (4) the weekly consultation hours with the course coordinator. Also, examples of the kind of analysis you are required to do is contained in the relevant lectures (see table below). Note that we do not provide a template or model answer. The reason is twofold: Part of the assignment is to develop your independent thinking and research. Providing a model answer encourages a “painting-by-numbers” approach that is inappropriate for a university education and will not make you an independent thinker, and will not sufficiently prepare you for work life where no templates exist. Also, there is considerable scope to tailor your assignment (within the requirements above) based on your own style, chosen topic and method.

Sample Assessment 2 Topics from Lectures and Tutorials (DO NOT USE – FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY)

Topic Question Potential Methods (concepts and models)

Lecture 3.2.3. Coffee Prices

What explains the rise in world coffee prices in 2011? Comparative statics

Tutorial 3 1b. Building Ban

Should Bangalore introduce a ban on building new apartments to safeguard sustainable urban development? What is the effect on apartment prices when there is a rise in the city’s population?

Comparative statics, elasticity, market intervention

Tutorial 3 1d. Mad Cow Disease

During the 1993 ‘mad cow disease” or BSE outbreak in the UK, evidence emerges regarding the dangers of eating beef from infected animals. Which markets are affected, and what are the effects?

Comparative statics, elasticity, market intervention

Tutorial 4 1. Rent Controls

Analyse rent controls in the Melbourne residential rentals market using an appropriate diagram. Who benefits and who loses out? What is the effect on total surplus? How is the policy affected by demand and supply elasticity?

Comparative statics, elasticity, market intervention

Tutorial 4 3. Alcohol Excise Duty

Australia has a reputation as a hard-drinking culture yet there has been a steady decline in alcohol consumption over the past three decades. Government is considering reductions to its relatively high taxes on alcoholic drinks. Which markets are affected, and what are the effects? Is this policy appropriate?

Comparative statics, elasticity, market intervention, market failure

Tutorial 5.1. Hosting F1

Should Victorian taxpayers should pay $60 million annually to host the F1 Australian Grand Prix? Examine the pros and cons.

Comparative statics, market failure

Assessment 2 Cover Sheet Prices and Markets Student Name

Student ID

Tutor/Local Lecturer

Date

Please tick all the applicable boxes below. Note that failing to comply with any of the requirements below may results in deductions from your grade for this assignment.

I have read and followed the guidelines for this assignment, watched the assignment video and took the assignment guidance quiz. ☐ I have discussed my topic with my local lecturer/tutor and I have appended any email correspondence approving my chosen topic. ☐ The topic I have chosen is my own original topic and was not discussed in lectures or tutorials. ☐ The topic I chose is not macroeconomics but microeconomics and is appropriate for analysis using the tools introduced in those lectures of this course relevant to this assignment. ☐ My work contains both explanation and use (in analysis) of relevant microeconomic models. ☐ The tools I have used to analyse the topic are exclusively from relevant lectures of this course, i.e. the market, market failure (lectures 2-6). ☐ The word count does not exceed 1500 words (excluding bibliography, title page and text in diagrams). I understand there is no discretionary margin allowed above this number and that there is no minimum allowed number of words.

☐ The work is my own and all sources I used to inform me are referenced and appear in the bibliography. ☐ I have checked the Turnitin score for my work and it is acceptable (i.e. <25%). ☐ I have submitted this work by the submission deadline. ☐ I have checked that I have uploaded the correct file and the correct version of this file. ☐

Marking Rubrics for Assessment 2 (total: 40 marks) Criterion HD DD CR PA NN Choice of an appropriate, original specific topic amenable to microeconomic analysis and formulation of an appropriate question about it (8/40 marks).

Assessment Task 3: Case Analyses The assessment is worth 50 marks and will be delivered as a question sheet on Canvas exactly two weeks before the submission deadline. Your submission will receive an automatic Turnitin similarity score that should not exceed 25%. You should check this score using the tool on Canvas before submitting. Exceeding this limit raises the risk of your submission being subject to an academic integrity process. As per University regulations late assignments receive a 10% penalty per day until the mark reaches zero. Marks will be given according to the rubrics on Canvas. You must attach a completed coversheet with your submission (template appended below). For the formatting requirements follow the advice given for assessment task 2 above.

Your submission should be a word-processed document not exceeding 2000 words. Any diagrams that you wish to use can be inserted into this document in any way you like, i.e. created in the word-processing software itself, or inserted as a photograph of a pencil drawing or from another software. Label your figures and tables including numbers and refer to them in the text by their numbers. Your submission will automatically receive include a Turnitin similarity score. You should not exceed 25%. You may check your score using the Turnitin checking tool on Canvas. Please also add a word count. For every 10% word count (not counting bibliography) over the limit you will lose 10% of the assignment marks until it reaches zero. There is no discretionary margin above this limit. There is no minimum but you are advised to use all the words allowed to allow for a more developed and detailed analysis.

The task will be essay-style case analysis. The question paper will contain details of 5 economic phenomena. 4 of which you analyse in separate answers. Each of the cases will ask you to use one of the analysis tools of this course. As a general guide, your answer should include the steps that were explained for assessment 2 except for step 3: You will not be expected to explain the concepts and model that you are using. Details of the analysis tools of this course to be used in this assessment are shown below.

The marking rubrics are shown below. You will be assessed based on the sophistication, breadth and depth of your analysis (e.g. how many factors do you take into consideration) as well as on correctness of the analysis and appropriateness of your conclusions.

Note that your answer should be written such that a reader who is versed in economics can assess your understanding in every step of your argument. While you do not need to explain or define theoretical concepts or methods, you will need to explain why and how these apply, and how they are used in your answer. It is not enough to say “concept X applies to issue Y”, you need to demonstrate that it does and how it does, and what the implications are.

As an example consider the two answers in the table. Nothing is wrong in either answer but in the left column we see an answer in the incorrect format. The first paragraph simply lists and defines concepts. The

Analytic tool

Components Examples from Class

Market Analysis

Comparative statics, own-price, cross price and income elasticity, market intervention.

Coffee Prices (lecture 3.2.3.); housing subsidies and minimum wages (lecture 4); rent control (tutorial 4).

Market Failure

Assumptions of the market model, types of market failure, government intervention and government failure types.

Formula 1, casinos, chewing gum, ERP, DVD piracy (tutorial 5); online free speech, helmet/seatbelt regulation (tutorial 6).

Market Structure

Structure-conduct performance paradigm, market structure characteristics and types (perfect and monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly), market power debate, government monopoly policy.

Container sea freight industry (tutorial 7); Google (tutorial 9).

Game Theory

Rules of the game, payoff matrices, Nash equilibrium analysis.

Coordination, the Sydney game, prisoner’s dilemma (lecture 10); chicken market collusion, Nash equilibrium (tutorial 10).

Optimal Boundary of the Firm

Horizontal and vertical integration, diversification, production economies, transaction cost economies, make-or-buy decision.

Starbucks (Lecture 11.3.1.- 11.3.2.).

second paragraph contains no explanation why the conclusion (SP is a monopoly) follows from the definition. It also doesn’t support the implication (higher price, lower output) or discuss it critically. In contrast, the correct style in the right column does not have the definition but tells the reader why, and in what sense, SP is a monopoly. It also states why this might be a bad thing in theory, yet offers an alternative view.

The next pages contains the marking rubric and sample question papers that will show you the format of the paper, style and scope of questions and what we look for in your answers. QUESTION 3 (see below)

Answer 1 (incorrect style) Answer 2 (correct style)

Monopoly is defined as the market structure where there is one firm in the market with 100% market share and compete barriers to entry. Market structure refers to the competitive environment in which the firms operate and is made up of four characteristics: the number of firms, their size (relative to the market), the existence of entry barriers which make entry by potential competitors difficult, and finally product differentiation where different firms’ products are seen as distinct in the eyes of consumers.

SP Group is therefore a monopoly and that is bad because monopoly charges a higher price and produces less output than a perfectly competitive industry.

The SP Group is a monopoly because it is the only electric grid operator in Singapore’s domestic market. Its delivery network has a high fixed cost and therefore complete entry barriers: Given market demand, it is too expensive for any competitor to invest in a power distribution n etwo rk. Also ele ctr icity is a pe rfe ctly homogeneous product and a potential competitor cannot differentiate themselves by producing a different type of electricity.

SP being a monopoly is significant because its market structure, the competitive environment, is highly concentrated (CR1=100%). SP’s conduct (high costs and price) and performance (economic profit) may be poor as it is not competing with actual or potential rival operators. Government may consider regulating SP’s price. Then again there are reasons why, in power markets, large firms may have efficiency advantages such as …

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Answer any FOUR of the following questions. Each question is worth a total of 12.5 marks. If more than four questions are answered, marks will be awarded for the first four answers only.

QUESTION 1 Coffee is now the second most traded commodity in the world after crude oil. Not only has demand for various coffee products risen sharply in Western countries in recent years, increasingly there is also greater taste for coffee drinks in developing countries such as China and India. In addition, by-products of coffee beans have become popular such as coffee leaves which can be used to brew a tea with known health benefits. However, as a natural produce, coffee plants are subject to weather conditions. Recently major producers such as Brazil have been plagued by droughts. Using the demand-supply model, explain the likely effects of these phenomena in the coffee bean market. How can a market analyst use this information to her advantage? QUESTION 2 The internet and online social media in particular are giving people unprecedented ability to express their views and share information with others. On the other hand the truth of what people say online and the sheer volume of information are hard for most people to handle. In Germany the government has introduced the Net Enforcement Law which prohibits certain kinds of online speech (e.g. incitement to hatred). Social media firms have 24 hours to check and remove suspect posts reported by users or face huge fines. Use the theories of market failure and government intervention to explain the reasons for Germany’s new law. Critically discuss potential problems with this intervention.

QUESTION 3 Singapore Power (SP) is the only operator in the domestic electricity market in Singapore. Electricity distribution generally is associated with extremely high economies of scale because of the infrastructure (a nationwide power grid) needed to deliver power to individual households. Using the theory and models of market structure, examine this firm. Should government be worried about any aspect of how a firm under this market structure will perform? What should government do to address such worries?

QUESTION 4 Starbucks is mostly known to be a retailer of coffee drinks that are brewed in-house using coffee beans and other equipment sourced in the market. Starbucks is now considering vertical and horizontal integration beyond coffee drinks retail. Using the theory of the optimal boundary of the firm, discuss the make-or-buy decision as well as the scope for horizontal integration and diversification of Starbucks. What stages of the vertical chain should it consider conducting in-house? What other horizontal markets may it integrate into and why?

QUESTION 5 In Singapore, 13 fresh chicken suppliers together accounting for 90% of market share have received a record $27 million fine for operating as a cartel, fixing prices at a high level and restricting output. To achieve this representatives of the firms repeatedly met at at the Poultry Merchants’ Association. Analyse the interaction between the firms using game theory. Simplify your model to only 2 players representing the different firms in this industry. Present a payoff matrix to model the situation and analyse it for Nash equilibrium. Which is the best outcome for each firm? Which is the best outcome for society as a whole? Why did government invest in the costly investigation and prosecution of these companies?

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Answer any FOUR of the following questions. Each question is worth a total of 12.5 marks. If more than four questions are answered, marks will be awarded for the first four answers only.

QUESTION 1 During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people of all incomes from poor to rich are stocking up on different types of product they regard as necessary. Suppliers cannot increase their output quickly enough. Singapore government is concerned about profiteering and affordability in the markets concerned and is considering intervening. Using the demand-supply model, explain these phenomena in one or two markets of your choice. Advise which market interventions, if any, government should conduct in these markets. QUESTION 2 Watching movies with particular kinds of content (e.g. violence, coarse language, crime, sexual references) may affect moviegoers in negative ways that concern government policymakers across the world. Use the theories of market failure and government intervention to explain the reasons for this concern. Identify different suitable government interventions that government may consider. Critically discuss potential problems with these interventions.

QUESTION 3 In recent years bubble tea has become a craze among Singaporean consumers, leading to many new firms entering this market either as new startups or as established firms from aboard. There are now over 50 competitors in Singapore each of which sell their own variations of bubble tea with different flavours, colours, ingredients and packaging. Using the theory and models of market structure, examine this industry. Should government be worried about any aspect of how an industry with this market structure will perform?

QUESTION 4 You have become the owner-manager of a small local bubble tea seller that has outlets in 10 prime shopping-centre locations across Singapore. Given the structure of this market discussed in question 3, you are considering vertical and horizontal integration. Using the theory of the optimal boundary of the firm, discuss the make-or-buy decision as well as the scope for horizontal integration and diversification of your firm. What stages of the vertical chain should you consider conducting in-house? What other horizontal markets may you integrate into?

QUESTION 5 A computer manufacturer, firm A, is considering whether or not to move from the USB-C connector standard to a new, more efficient and cheaper to produce standard called USB4. Most of the accessories for firm A’s computers are produced by firm B. In turn, firm B’s accessories are mainly sold to people using firm A computers. Firm B is currently using the USB-C interface for all the accessories it makes and has been told about firm A considering USB4. Analyse the interaction between the two firms using game theory. Present a payoff matrix to model the situation and analyse it for Nash equilibrium. Which is the best outcome for each firm? Which is the best outcome for society as a whole? What can be done by the firms or government to make society’s best outcome more likely?

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Answer any FOUR of the following questions. Each question is worth a total of 12.5 marks. If more than four questions are answered, marks will be awarded for the first four answers only.

QUESTION 1 During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Singapore government introduced lockdown measures and travel restrictions that severely reduced the trade of many small businesses. Singapore government is concerned about business closures, loss of income and unemployment in the markets concerned and is considering further interventions especially as the danger from the virus is beginning to subside. Using the demand-supply model, explain these phenomena in one or two markets of your choice. Advise which market interventions, if any, government should conduct in these markets and why.

QUESTION 2 Employers often select applicants based on whether they hold an academic degree. In most countries, universities need to be granted charters from government to be able to award academic degrees to their students. In return, universities must abide by comprehensive and detailed government regulations upholding appropriate standards for teaching, examination and lecturers. Use the theories of market failure and government intervention to explain the reasons for government intervention into the market for higher education. Critically discuss potential problems with these interventions.

QUESTION 3 Private tuition centres are a big industry in Singapore with over 500 such centres that reportedly serve more than 95% of all college students. Tuition fees can be high and some families pay more than $3000 a month to send their children to private tuition. Using the theory and models of market structure, examine this industry. Should government be worried about any aspect of how an industry with this particular market structure will perform?

QUESTION 4 You are a private tutor who conducts one-on-one home tuition in economics for senior college students. You are considering growing your business. In particular you are considering vertical and horizontal integration. Using the theory of the optimal boundary of the firm, discuss the make-or- buy decision as well as the scope for horizontal integration and diversification of your business. What stages of the vertical chain should you consider conducting inhouse? What other horizontal markets may you integrate into?

QUESTION 5 Imagine the following hypothetical situation. Two firms, Super Chic Farm and Fortune Poultry, have become the only suppliers of fresh chicken meat in Singapore. Both firms are seeking to increase their profits and are considering entering into illicit price collusion by agreeing to charge artificially high prices. Such a practice is illegal and risks heavy fines. Analyse the interaction between the two firms using game theory. Present a payoff matrix to model the situation and analyse it for Nash equilibrium. Which is the best outcome for each firm? Which is the best outcome for society as a whole? What can be done by the firms or government to make society’s best outcome more likely?

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Answer any FOUR of the following questions. Each question is worth a total of 12.5 marks. If more than four questions are answered, marks will be awarded for the first four answers only.

QUESTION 1 A “generic drug” contains the same active chemical ingredient as a drug that was previously protected by a patent. Generic drugs are essentially the same and are sold by many different, small firms after the original patent has expired. A well-known example is the antibiotic penicillin. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen high use of penicillin by those infected by the virus. Using the demand-supply model, analyse this change in consumer preferences regarding this drug. Examine the likely consequences in one or two related markets of your choice.

QUESTION 2 Penicillin is ineffective against the coronavirus. In general, inappropriate use of penicillin, where it cannot alleviate symptoms or cure a disease, is contributing to antibiotic resistance, meaning bacteria are evolving to defeat the drug. This is endangering lives because of a rise in untreatable infections. Use the theories of market failure and government intervention to explain (i) why both patients and their prescribing physicians are failing to reduce the inappropriate consumption of penicillin, and (ii) what suitable government interventions may help this situation. Critically discuss potential problems with these interventions.

QUESTION 3 Another solution for antibiotic resistance is the development of new drugs that defeat resistant bacteria. Such research and development has a high fixed cost and can only be undertaken in industries with high market concentration where firms have significant monopoly power, like the pharmaceutical industry. Examine this industry using the theory and models of industry structure. Should government be worried about any aspect of how an industry with this market structure will perform?

QUESTION 4 Pfizer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. When developing a new drug this company needs to consider vertical integration. Using the theory of the optimal boundary of the firm, discuss Pfizer’s make-or-buy decision for developing and producing a new antibiotic drug. What stages of the vertical chain should Pfizer consider conducting inhouse, and which should be outsourced? Provide reasons for your findings.

QUESTION 5 Pfizer and a competitor, Astra-Zeneca, are considering developing a new drug for a particular illness at the same time. The illness is relatively rare but the fixed cost of production is very high. In particular, the forecast demand for such a drug is insufficient to cover both firms’ costs. Analyse the interaction between the two firms using game theory. Present a payoff matrix to model the situation and analyse it for Nash equilibrium. What can either of these firms do to make their best, most- preferred outcome more likely?

Assessment 3 Cover Sheet Prices and Markets Student Name

Extension Requests

We have all been in the situation where it is tempting to seek an extension to the deadline for a course assignment. Before you go down this route you should reflect whether this is the right way to go. For one thing, an extension for one assignment does not really create more time, but steals time away from future academic deadlines. If you get an extension for an assignment, it leaves you less time for subsequent ones that may be more important. Also, the need for extensions can be avoided by good time management. You will know your deadlines by the beginning of the semester and a bit of forward planning can help you manage when multiple deadlines coincide. This is valuable practice for your future work where multiple, coinciding deadlines are common and extension requests are not possible or very unwelcome.

That said, clearly there are circumstances outside our control that deserve special consideration. Special consideration is only available for unexpected circumstances outside students’ control. These include but are not limited to: unexpected short-term ill health, and unavoidable family, work, cultural or religious commitments. An application for special consideration is made in advance of an assessment wherever possible but will normally be accepted within five working days after the assessment date. For more information and how to apply, see the Special Consideration page of the RMIT website.

Shorter extensions (less than 1 week) may be considered by the course team. You must state the length of the extension sought and the reasons by email to the course email address, and not to your tutor or course coordinator. We will not accept extension requests due to foreseeable events such as multiple assignment deadlines coinciding, regular and scheduled work/family commitments. Use the form provided on this page to complete such a request.