Help CentreWhat is an ‘Academic Appeal’?
This is a challenge to a decision made by ‘Examiner’; this includes an Examination Team and academic staff who assess your progress.
The decisions you can appeal:
1. Withdrawal: Failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance (Annexe 1)
2. Project Approval or Annual Progression (Annexe 2)
3. Outcome of Thesis Submission and Viva Voce Research Degree Examination (Annexe 3)
All of the above processes have similar procedures, grounds of appeal and timescales which you can view in the Handbook of Student Regulations (Research Programmes) 2023-24
When can I appeal?
When you receive one of above three decisions
Stage 1 (Informal), what do I need to do and why?
If you have a query about or think that there may be a problem with one of the following decisions:
· Decision to withdraw you for unsatisfactory academic performance.
your first step is to contact the Graduate School Coordinator
· Project Approval or Annual Progression
your first step is to contact the Faculty Graduate School Co-Ordinator
· Outcome of Thesis Submission and Viva Voce Research Degree Examination
Your first step is to contact the Graduate School Coordinator who dealt with the examination.
This is to see if any issues can be resolved at this stage and/or you have any questions or concerns about the outcome or decision you have received. The option to submit a Stage 2 (formal) appeal remains available to you if the issues remain unresolved and/or you feel that you have a basis to appeal.
How will I receive the outcome?
This will be given to you face to face, phone or in writing by the Stage 2 decision-maker.
What is a Stage 2 (formal) appeal?
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of Stage 1 and/or you feel that you have a basis to appeal, then you can submit a Stage 2 appeal for consideration by the Student Appeals and Complaints Team
What are the eligible grounds of appeal?
All appeals must be based on at least one of two eligible grounds.
Annexe 1
(a) correct procedures were not followed in the programme management, or in the application of the procedures requiring you to withdraw for unsatisfactory academic performance, and this significantly affected the outcome(b) that particular relevant information about your health or other personal extenuating circumstances was either: i. not properly taken account of during the procedures described in regulations 1.2 to 1.3 aboveorii. not made available by you to the Graduate School and is now available. In this case, a compelling reason for its earlier non-submission must accompany any appeal. If a student submits evidence of such circumstances after the judgement on academic progress has been reached, and there is no compelling reason for not having submitted sooner, then the appeal will not be considered. Relevant medical and/or other supporting documents covering the relevant time-period must be provided
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Annexe 2
(a) that correct procedures were not followed in the conduct of the Project Approval or Annual Progression, and this has significantly affected the outcome;(b) (i) that particular relevant information about your health or other personal extenuating circumstances was either i. not properly taken account of during the assessments,and/orii. that information relating to such circumstances which could not previously be made available is now being made available. In this case, a valid reason for its earlier non-submission must accompany any appeal. (If you submit evidence of such circumstances after the judgement on Project Approval or Annual Progression has been reached and there is no good and valid reason for not having submitted the evidence sooner, then the appeal will not be considered. Relevant medical and/or other supporting documents covering the relevant time-period must be provided.
Annexe 3
a) Correct procedures were not followed by the Graduate School in the conduct of thesis submission or viva voce (oral) examination, and this significantly affected the outcome.(b) that particular relevant information about the student’s health or other personal extenuating circumstances was either a. not properly taken account of during the assessment and/or b. that information relating to such circumstances that could not previously be made available is now being made available. In this case, a compelling reason for its earlier non submission must accompany any appeal. If a student submits evidence of such circumstances after the judgement on academic progress has been reached, and there is no compelling reason for not having submitted the evidence sooner, then the appeal will not be considered. Relevant medical and/or other supporting documents covering the relevant time-period must be provided.
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How do I build a case around ground (a)?
You would need to identify and evidence how the correct procedure was not followed and what the procedure is.
How do I build a case around ground (b)?
What does you have new information that could not be provided mean?
Demonstrate and evidence a ‘compelling reason’ why information about your health or personal circumstances couldn’t be provided earlier and why you are making this know after receiving the decision you want to appeal.
What is the deadline to submit a Stage 2 (formal) appeal?
Ten working days from the date the University issued its decision.
What is not eligible for a Stage 2 appeal?
- Questioning academic judgement or integrity of academics, Faculty PGR Committee or external examiners. This means that Students can’t challenge a decision, feedback or an academic decision because they feel it is or unfair or because it is their own judgement that their work is of a higher quality.
- Issues or dissatisfaction with supervision which must be raised in a complaint.
How do I prepare and submit a Stage 2 appeal?
- Think about why you are why are you unhappy the decision that you want to appeal.
- Go through the Stage 1 outcome.
- Write down any questions and/or concerns you have with reference to appeal grounds and Stage 1 outcome.
- Think about whether you could build a case around at least one of the grounds.
- What outcome do you desire and is this achievable? Is the timeframe realistic? Has a decision been made that is set in another university process, for example you have been withdrawn from the university due to academic misconduct?
Important Note:
Appeals can’t be based on your simply not liking or being happy with a decision. It’s important to demonstrate and evidence why your case meets at least one of the two grounds.
Complete Student Appeal Form Annexes 1-3 2023-24 (Research) and send this with your supporting evidence to studentappealsandcomplaints@northumbria.ac.uk
Can I submit an appeal more than ten working days after the decision I have received?
Yes, but you must demonstrate a good and valid reason for submitting your appeal late or the appeal will not be considered.
Can NSU Advice help with my Stage 2 (Formal) appeal and Stage 3 (Request for a Review)?
Yes, we can answer questions about the procedure and provide feedback on a draft appeal.
What happens while my appeal is being considered?
Annexe 2
The Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee’s original decision is put on hold.
Annexe 3
Outcomes from the Graduate School Committee’s original decision will be put on hold.
When will I receive the outcome of my Stage 2 appeal?
Outcomes are normally issued within 30 working days of receipt of the appeal by the Student Appeals and Complaints Team
What are the potential outcomes if my Stage 2 appeal is upheld?
Annexe 1
Refer your case to the Graduate School to see if it can be resolved with a written response.
Uphold the appeal and refer the case to the Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee and Faculty Pro Vice -Chancellor (or nominee)
If your appeal is based on personal extenuating circumstances and upheld then your appeal will be referred to the Faculty Post Graduate Research Committee for reconsideration
Reject the appeal.
Please note you have to submit a Stage 2 appeal if you are dissatisfied with the outcomes of any 1-3.
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Annexe 2
1. Refer your case to the Graduate School to see if it can be resolved with a written explanation rom the Graduate School
2.Uphold the appeal and refer the case to the Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee and Faculty Pro Vice -Chancellor to reconsider your case. 3. if your appeal is based on personal extenuating circumstances and upheld then your appeal will be referred to the Faculty Post Graduate Research Committee for reconsideration4. Reject the appeal.Please note you have to submit a Stage 2 appeal if you are dissatisfied with the outcomes of any 1-3
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Annexe 3
Refer your case to the Graduate School Co-Ordinator who dealt with the examination.Uphold the appeal and refer the case to the Graduate School Committee to reconsider your case. if your appeal is based on personal extenuating circumstances and upheld then your documents will given to the Graduate School for consideration at Stage 2Reject the appeal.Please note you have to submit a Stage 2 appeal if you are dissatisfied with the outcomes of any 1-3
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What can I do if my Stage 2 appeal is rejected and what is a Stage 3 Request for a Review?
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your Stage 2 Formal Appeal, the only way to challenge this decision is by submitting a Stage 3 Request for Review or taking your case to the OIA.
A Request for Review is the last internal stage at the University.
Your Request for Review will be considered by a member of the Student Appeals and Complaints Office.
This will need to be submitted within ten working days of receiving your Stage 2 outcome.
When will I receive the outcome of my Request for a Review?
You will normally receive an outcome within 20 working days of submitting your Request for Review.
What can I do if my case does not fit any of the grounds for a Request for a Review and/or my case is rejected?
You could take your case to the OIA (Office of the Independent Adjudicator). You will need to email studentappealsandcomplaints@northumbria.ac.uk to request a Completion of Procedures Letter.
What is the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)?
The OIA is an independent body that reviews student ‘complaints’ (this term is used by the OIA to refer to all types of cases).
Please note the process would be that the OIA would investigate your case, if eligible under their rules, and look at whether the University has followed and applied their own procedures correctly when coming to their decision including whether the outcome is reasonable under the circumstances.
If the OIA finds that the university’s decision-making was in any way inconsistent with their own regulations and procedures, then the OIA would uphold your case and send it back to the University with some recommendations for looking at it again.
If the OIA felt that the university has followed the correct policies and procedures, then the case would likely be rejected. Find out more about the OIA here and our Q&A’s here
The Advice Team are here to help you with your case. For personalised advice or to ask further questions please email su.advice@northumbria.ac.uk