Quality Assurance and Enhancement

Student Appeals

• Grounds on which you may appeal
• What is not covered by the procedure?
• Before you appeal
• If you decide to appeal
• Further information

Our university has robust systems in place for maintaining the integrity of the assessment process; however, occasionally things can go wrong.  The Appeals Procedure enables students to appeal against the decision of an assessment board so that we may rectify any problems that occasionally occur.

Grounds on which you may appeal

Appeals against the decision of an assessment board are only permitted on the following grounds:

• The assessment was not conducted in accordance with the current regulations for the programme, or there has been a material administrative error or some other material irregularity relevant to the assessments has occurred.

• For a student with a disability or additional need, the initial needs assessment was not correctly carried out, or the support identified was not provided, or the agreed assessment procedures for that student were not implemented.

Appeals cannot be made on the grounds of disagreement with the academic judgement of an assessment board.

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What is not covered by the procedure?

The appeals procedure does not cover the following categories of appeal for which separate procedures exist:

• Grievances relating to personal harassment or discrimination on sexual, religious, racial or other grounds (see Personal Dignity Policy);
• Academic complaints e.g. course delivery (see Part 14, Manual of General Regulations);
• Appeals against decisions taken under disciplinary proceedings (see Part 12, Manual of General Regulations);
• Extenuating circumstances claims (see Part 6, Manual of General Regulations);
• Appeals against decisions of Assessment Offences Investigating Panels (see Part 8, Manual of General Regulations);

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Before you appeal

You are stongly advised to seek the advice of the Students' Union Advice and Information Service before submitting an appeal.  You may contact the Advice and Information Service on 020 8223 7025 or email studentadvice@uel.ac.uk

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If you decide to appeal

If you wish to appeal against the decision of an Assessment Board you must:

• Notify the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Office and the Chair of Assessment Board of your intention to appeal within five working days of the publication of results (you may obtain contact details for the Chair of Assessment Board from your School Helpdesk)

• Complete all sections of the notification of appeal form (please contact Quality Assurance and Enhancement if you require the Appeals Form in a different format)

• Attend a conciliation meeting with the Chair of the Assessment Board to attempt to resolve your appeal (this should be convened within 10 working days)

If the outcome of conciliation is unsucessful you may then submit your notification of appeal form to the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Office who will formally investigate your appeal.  The form should be returned to the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Office within five working days of the conciliation decision.  

For a summary of the University Appeals Procedure and the various stages please view the following flowchart.

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Further information

Students wishing to submit an appeal should read the following guidelines before submitting a notification of appeal form form.  The Appeals Procedure is set out in full in Part 7 of the Manual of General Regulations.

If you require the Notification of Appeal Form in a different format to that available then please contact Quality Assurance & Enhancement.

If you are a student studying at a partner institution or studying your programme by distance learning and have a query regarding the Appeals Procedure please contact Quality Assurance & Enhancement who will be able to advise.

If you are considering appealing you are strongly advised to seek advice from the Students' Union Advice and Information Service on 020 8223 7025 or email: studentadvice@uel.ac.uk

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© 2009