Can Schools and Universities Accept Online Sick Notes in the UK?

Can Schools and Universities Accept Online Sick Notes in the UK?

Do Students Need Sick Notes?

Many schools, colleges, and universities require medical evidence for:

● Exam absence

● Deadline extensions

● Attendance monitoring

Policies vary, but evidence is commonly requested for illness lasting longer than a few days.

Are Online Sick Notes Accepted by Educational Institutions?

In most cases, yes.

Institutions generally accept sick notes if they:

● Are issued by a registered UK clinician

● Cover the relevant dates

● Are medically justified

They should not reject a note solely because it was issued online.

What About Short-Term Illness?

For brief illness:

● Self-certification or personal statements are often sufficient

● Medical notes should not be demanded unnecessarily

This aligns with NHS and UK guidance.

Can Students Get Sick Notes Online?

Yes — online assessment is particularly helpful for students who:

● Are away from home

● Cannot access local GP services

● Need timely documentation

Services like Dr Sicks provide legitimate medical assessment without requiring campus GP registration.

Key Takeaways

● Online sick notes are usually accepted

● Institutions must act reasonably

● Short illness often does not require evidence

● Online access improves fairness