During your time as a student the university will make decisions on your progress and performance in examinations and coursework and on your eligibility for the award of the qualification for which you are studying. If you think that such a decision is wrong or is based on incorrect or partial information, you may have the right to appeal against the decision.
Here are some basic guidelines on what you can and cannot appeal against.
You can appeal in the following circumstances:
A severe illness which caused you to miss or adversely affected your performance in an examination, or which prevented you from submitting work by a required deadline.
Where there is reasonable ground supported by objective evidence to believe that there has been administrative, procedural, or clerical error of such a nature as to have affected the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, e.g. incorrect marks being recorded; failure to provide feedback on your previous coursework; late return of coursework.
You cannot appeal in the following circumstances:
Any illness or a distressing event that can be classed as a normal part of life e.g. a minor illness; losing work not backed up onto a computer disk; normal employment commitments; failing to read an examination timetable correctly; failure to make alternative travel plans in the face of known disruptions; completing coursework too late and missing deadlines because of computer or transport difficulties.
You disagree with the academic judgement of the examiners.
Each faculty has its own appeals application forms and procedures. Contact your faculty office for further details on the procedure and rules governing appeals and read the information in Annex 9 of the university Credit Framework.
Please take special note that appeals are subject to strict time limits -it is important to submit appeals on the correct forms by the given deadline and with all relevant documents. A Student Adviser can help you comply with procedures and/or help you present your case.
If your appeal is turned down you have further rights of appeal if you still wish to challenge a decision.
Concessions
Sometimes students' coursework or exam performance is impaired because of a significant illness, personal problem or traumatic event, such as a bereavement. If something happens which adversely affects your ability to study and you are concerned that your coursework or exam performance will suffer as a result, you can apply for a concession. Your department can grant concessions such as extra time to submit an essay or other coursework. It is important, where possible, to apply for a concession before rather than after the coursework deadline or the exam and to provide evidence to support your application. Information on coursework deadlines and concessions procedure are in your Faculty Handbook (available from your faculty or department office) and you can find full details of the concessions and appeals applications in Annex 9 of the university Credit Framework.