► Appeals & Complaints

APPEALS

What is an academic appeal?

• An Academic Appeal is a formal written letter from a student to the Deputy Secretary of Governance in the University Secretary's Office. The basis of the letter is asking for a change to a decision which has been made about the student themselves. Students lodge appeals because they are unhappy with the outcome of such decisions and feel there is information which has not been taken into consideration when making the decision. An appeal would outline this information.

• Firstly let’s start with what circumstances an appeal covers an Appeal may be made against termination of studies (‘programme termination’), the result of an examination, the lack of opportunity for you to re-sit an assessment (‘no re-sit permitted’), or of a degree classification.

• An appeal cannot be made if you feel dissatisfied with a result or you feel you could have done better.

• If you are considering an academic appeal against a decision of an Exam Board, The Students’ Union can explain the grounds on which you are able to appeal on and the correct process to do so. The Students’ Union can advise and provide guidance on how to put an appeal together and submit it.

• Appeals must be submitted within 10 days of receipt of results, though appeals submitted late with good reason may, exceptionally, be considered.

• To make an appeal you must write a formal letter stating clearly the grounds you are appealing under. The Students Union can provide you with a template appeal letter to base your letter on and also explain the regulations to you.

• For a guide to the academic regulations CLICK HERE 

• All Appeals are subjected to the same process: Submission to the Programme Convener (via the School Office) for comment and recommendation on behalf of the Programme Exam Board (guidance on requirements is given), followed by submission to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for final adjudication.

• The Deputy University Secretary (Governance) advises results of Appeals to students in writing. Students may comment on results, preferably in writing, but no ‘second appeal’ on same issue is allowed. However, a student disputing an Appeal Result may now choose to take the matter to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.

COMPLAINTS

The University endeavors to provide quality in all its activities; however there may be times when students feel that have not received the high quality of education or level of service which might reasonably be expected. In those circumstances, you are entitled to complain, and to make known your concerns, without fear of reprisal or victimization. You can expect the University to deal with a complaint seriously, fairly, within a reasonable timescale and, where appropriate, in confidence. Most complaints can be dealt with in the first instance, but if you feel you have a valid reason for a complaint then please do come and speak to us.

For more information on the university complaints procedure please CLICK HERE.

• If you feel you want to make a complaint we advise that you can come up to The Union in the first instance and we can advise you further on how the compliant should be dealt with.
• The University Secretary's Office can also help with explaining the procedures and supplying guidance notes
• Before making a formal complaint you should consider the following; 
- Why are you complaining? Stating clearly what your outcome of the complaint is to be. This will help in the process as in order for any action to be beneficial to you and resolved quickly.
- Be very precise , if you don't explain clearly, it may not be possible to understand what has happened or what you want people to do about it. Draft down any issues in the first instance and the Students Union can read over and give you any pointers.
- Consider if you can talk to those involved - this may make it easier to discuss possible outcomes and may be quicker to action and not require taking a formal route.

OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR (OIA)

If you are still unhappy with the outcome of an appeal or complaint and feel the issue has still not been resolved, you then have the option to refer your issue to an external body the OIA, but you must go through the university complaint procedure first.
For more information about the OIA please see the link below.
http://www.oiahe.org.uk