Submitting an appeal

Understanding Your Exclusion

You may have been excluded from your programme if:

• Your tuition fees were not paid in full by the deadline, or

• You did not keep to an agreed payment plan.

The University’s policy states that students who do not pay outstanding tuition fees within 56 days of the invoice date may be excluded from their programme.

If you have already contacted the Finance Team about your situation, include details of this in your appeal.

Stage 1 Appeal (Informal)

If you believe you have grounds to appeal your exclusion, you should first discuss your situation with the Finance Team.

You should do this as soon as possible, as you only have 10 working days from the date on your Final Exclusion Letter to submit a Stage 2 appeal if you remain dissatisfied.

How to start a Stage 1 appeal

• Submit an enquiry through your student portal

• If you cannot access your student portal, use the alternative contact link provided by the University

• London Campus students can attend Finance Team drop-in sessions:

  • Monday to Friday, 1pm to 3pm

Stage 2 Appeal (Formal)

If you are unhappy with the outcome of Stage 1, you can submit a formal written appeal by completing the appeal form.

Important information

Submitting the form is not just a formality. You must clearly explain:

• Why you are appealing

• Which appeal ground applies to your case

• How your circumstances affected the outcome

Simply disagreeing with the decision or paying your fees late is not enough to overturn the exclusion.

Paying outstanding fees after exclusion does not automatically reverse the decision.

Appeal Grounds

Your appeal must be based on at least one of the following grounds:

a) The Finance Team did not follow the correct procedure when excluding you for non-payment of tuition fees (and this significantly affects the outcome)

You believe the Finance Team did not follow the correct process when excluding you, and this significantly affected the outcome.

You will need to:

• Explain which procedure was not followed

• Provide evidence to support your claim

This ground cannot be used simply because:

• You disagree with the decision, or

• You paid your fees late.

b) That you have new information about your personal extenuating circumstances that you could not bring to the attention of the university prior to exclusion, and which significantly affects the outcome.

You will need to:

• Explain your circumstances clearly

• Provide supporting evidence

• Explain why this information was not shared earlier

If you already discussed these circumstances with the Finance Team, your appeal should include:

• New information not previously considered, or

• Evidence explaining why you could not meet an agreed payment plan or extension.

Appeal Deadlines

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 appeals must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the date on your Final Exclusion Letter.

Late appeals may not be accepted unless you explain why you could not submit your appeal on time.

What Happens Next?

Your appeal will be reviewed by a member of staff who has not previously been involved in your case.

You will normally receive a written outcome within 10 working days of the Finance Team receiving your appeal. In some cases, decisions may take longer.

Preparing Your Appeal

Before submitting your appeal:

1. Write a clear explanation of:

   • Your circumstances

   • Why you are appealing

   • How your case meets the appeal grounds

2. Complete the Exclusion for non-payment of fees appeals form

   • This link will not direct you to a new page and will download a word document to  your device

   • Appeals cannot be submitted without this form

3. Gather supporting evidence

4. Review your appeal carefully

5. Send your appeal using the instructions provided in the appeal form (this can be found on page 4 in the guidance section)

For feedback or guidance on your draft appeal, contact su.advice@northumbria.ac.uk

Things to Consider in Your Appeal

You may find it helpful to explain:

• Why you were unable to pay your fees

• Any personal, financial, or exceptional circumstances that affected you

• Whether you informed the Finance Team about your difficulties

• Why you may not have contacted the Finance Team earlier

• Whether you can pay the outstanding fees during the appeal process

International Students

If you are an international student, you may need to explain:

• Why funds previously shown for your CAS are no longer available

• Any changes in your financial circumstances

• Evidence supporting these changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Advice Team write my appeal for me?

No. The Advice Team can provide guidance and feedback, but they cannot write your appeal on your behalf.

You are responsible for explaining your own circumstances and reasons for non-payment.

Is there a deadline for appeals?

Yes. You normally have 10 working days from the date of your Final Exclusion Letter to submit your appeal.

If you submit your appeal late, you must explain why.

Please note:

• Paying your fees alone is not considered grounds for appeal

• You must still explain why you believe the exclusion decision should be reconsidered

Need Support?

The Advice Team can provide guidance and support with your case.

For personalised advice or further questions, contact:

su.advice@northumbria.ac.uk