Academic Appeals

What is an academic appeal?

An academic appeal is a formal request for the University to review a decision made by an Award Board about your results. It is not a way of asking for extra marks or questioning an examiner’s academic judgement.

You can only submit an appeal after you’ve received your official Award Board decision.

What are valid grounds for appeal?

You may have grounds to appeal if:

• Administrative error – a mistake was made which may be course or assessment related.
• Procedural irregularity – the University didn’t follow its own published regulations or procedures
• Other material irregularity – something else went seriously wrong in the process (e.g. being given the wrong exam paper).

What is not grounds for appeal?

You cannot appeal just because:

• You disagree with the mark you received (this is academic judgement).
• You feel your work should have been marked more generously.
• You want another opportunity to improve your grade without valid grounds.

What’s the deadline?

You cannot appeal just because:

• You must submit your appeal within 25 working days of the date on your Award Board decision letter. Academic Appeal dates can be found at Results.
• Appeals submitted after this date are normally not considered unless you show clear reasons for lateness supported by evidence.

How do I appeal?

1. Check your decision letter – confirm the date the 25-day clock starts.
2. Complete the Academic Appeal Form accessible at Academic Appeals.
• Email correspondence which references incorrect information / an error.
• Discrepancies between published university information e.g e-vision, canvas, module / course information.
• Evidence pointing to error / irregularity.
3. Complete your Academic Appeal form accessible at Academic Appeals.
4. Submit your form and evidence to the address stated on the form DD End

What happens after I appeal?

• You will receive an auto response once you have submitted your form. Further email confirmation will then follow to confirm receipt.
• Your appeal will be checked to make sure it is valid and on time. This is called Initial Scrutiny.
• If your appeal doesn’t meet the grounds for a claim, it will be rejected. You will be notified by email within 10 working days of submitting your form.
• If your appeal has valid grounds it will be sent to your faculty Director of Studies for review. This is called Stage 1.
• Your Director of Studies may want to meet with you as part of this process. If you do not attend your meeting, you will forfeit future review of the appeal decision.
• You will normally receive an outcome in writing within 25 working days of the submission of your appeal at Stage 1.
• Possible outcomes include:
• Appeal dismissed (original decision stands).
• Appeal upheld and you will be provided a further initial attempt.
• Appeal upheld and your re-assessment will be considered as an initial attempt.
• Appeal upheld and you will be provided a re-assessment opportunity.
• Appeal upheld and you are required to attend teaching.

Where can I get help?

• UNION Advice – we can help you check your grounds, provide feedback on your draft form and review your evidence. Submit an enquiry below if you require support.
• ARU Counselling & Wellbeing Service – if the situation is affecting your mental health.
• Disability & Dyslexia Service – if your appeal relates to disability or reasonable adjustments.