Academic Appeals

WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH A GRADE THAT I'VE RECEIVED?

As a student, it is not your right to question the professional judgement of your lecturers. The University, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and the courts will not interfere with what they call 'academic judgement' (i.e. a lecturer's judgement about a student's academic performance).

However, if you can show there has been procedural or other irregularities in the assessment process (e.g. something other than academic judgement has crept into the assessment process), you can use the three-stage Request for a Re-mark procedure to query the grade.

UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN I MAKE AN ACADEMIC APPEAL?

You can appeal ANY decision by an Assessment Board if, within three months of receiving its decision, you feel that you may have been treated unfairly. You will need to establish at least one of the following grounds:

A) MATERIAL IRREGULARITY

Can you can show a material, administrative or procedural error (e.g. has the assessment been conducted in accordance with the current course procedures and regulations)? An example would be challenging an award classification when there has been a miscalculation. Highlighting a procedural error is often the strongest grounds for appealing a decision.

B) EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Can you can satisfy the relevant Assessment Board that your performance in either examination or assessment was adversely affected by illness or other factors previously unknown to the Board (see extenuating circumstances)? You must have a good reason(s) for not using the extenuating circumstances procedures at the time of assessment, as retrospective claims for extenuating circumstances are not normally accepted.

An appeal will not be considered where a student is attempting simply to challenge academic judgement.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN APPEAL AND A COMPLAINT?

An appeal is a request for a review of the decision of an Assessment Board that is charged with making decisions on student progression, assessment and awards. A complaint is any specific concern about the provision of a programme of study or related academic service. See Complaints for further details.

HOW DO I SUBMIT AN APPEAL?

Initially, you can informally voice your concerns to a senior member of academic staff - for example, the Chair of your Award Board, who can be contacted through your School office. If you feel this is inappropriate or you are unhappy with the outcome, you can formally appeal to the Conduct and Appeals Unit, which is independent of your School:

The Head of the Conduct and Appeals Unit
University of Wolverhampton
Office of the Dean of Students
MB310
Wolverhampton WV1 1SB

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Conduct and Appeals Unit will contact you to confirm that they are investigating your appeal. The Unit will endeavour to respond to your concerns in writing as quickly as possible, but there is no time limit for a response.

The vast majority of appeals are addressed in writing without the need for a formal hearing. However, in some circumstances you may be requested to attend an Academic Appeals Panel, which will consist of an independent senior member of academic staff representing the Academic Board, at least one other independent member of staff and the President of the Students' Union (or nominee).

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPEAL IS SUCCESSFUL?

If the Conduct and Appeals Unit determines that you have valid grounds for an appeal, the Head of the Conduct and Appeals Unit will attempt to resolve the case without recourse to an appeal hearing.

Where an administrative error or material irregularity has occurred, the Head of the Conduct and Appeals Unit may uphold the appeal on behalf of the Academic Board. You will be informed in writing of the action to be taken.

WHAT CAN I DO IF MY APPEAL IS UNSUCCESSFUL?

If the Conduct and Appeals Unit writes to you to confirm your appeal is unsuccessful, you will have normally exhausted the University's procedures.

If you disagree with the decision made, you could write back to the Conduct and Appeals Unit explaining why you believe you haven't been treated fairly.

In doing so, you could ask for a Completion of Procedures letter. A Completion of Procedures letter confirms that you have exhausted the University's procedures and will allow you to contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator , which is a national independent body that may be able to review the University's decision.

Alternatively, you could seek the advice of a solicitor who specialises in Higher Education. You can contact the Advice and Support Centre for a list of educational solicitors, although ASC does not specifically recommend any particular legal service.