Appeals and complaints

The University has robust systems in place governing the quality and standards of our degree programmes and your experience as a student here. We are confident that, like the vast majority of students here, you will enjoy and be satisfied with your course.

However, if you are dissatisfied with an aspect of your course or academic decision, we would encourage you to tell your department in the first instance, so that it has an opportunity to respond. You should raise your concerns with the person most directly involved, for example your lecturer or your personal tutor. In most instances your department will be able to resolve the issue but we recognise that this will not always be possible. For this reason, the University has official procedures that allow eligible cases to be formally reviewed.

Industrial action complaints

We are aware industrial action may cause some students concern and the University is working hard to avoid disruption to your studies and provide you with as much support as possible. More information is available on the industrial action complaints webpages, including eligible grounds and a link to the appropriate form.

The University will take all reasonable action to ensure that student’s academic outcomes are not affected by the industrial action and any impact will be taken into account through the assessment process. If you believe the industrial action has had a greater impact on your academic outcome and you are in receipt of a Board of Examiners’ decision, in regards to your progression or award, your concerns may be better addressed via the academic appeal process. More information is available on the academic appeal webpages, including information on the grounds of appeal and a link to the appropriate appeal form.

The different Appeals and complaints procedures

Academic appeals – to ask for a review of a decision relating to your academic progress or award, usually made by a Board of Examiners or, for research students, a thesis committee or internal/external examiners.
Student discipline appeals – to ask for a review of a penalty imposed by a Plagiarsim Officer or a Student Discipline Panel.
Student complaints – to raise concerns if you are not satisfied with an aspect of your student experience.
Fitness to practice appeals – to ask for a review of a decision made by a Fitness to Practice Panel.
Student engagement appeals – to ask for a review of a decision made by a Student Engagement Panel.

The delivery of your programme, including teaching and administration

This may include how your programme is taught or aspects of administration of your programme. For example, the availability of resources electronically.

See more information about the Student Complaints procedure

Not meeting obligations set out in programme materials, including misleading or incorrect information

This may include misleading or incorrect information, for example in the programme or module specification or in information available pre-registration.

See more information about the Student Complaints procedure

Poor quality of facilities, learning resources or services provided by, or on behalf, of the University

This may include issues with University accommodation or buildings or teaching and learning resources such as reading lists.

See more information about the Student Complaints procedure

The delivery of financial support, immigration processes or welfare support

This may include the quality and accuracy of advice or support received.

See more information about the Student Complaints procedure

Concerns regarding support during your dissertation, research project or PhD thesis

In order for such concerns to be resolved quickly, we encourage students to raise these as soon as they occur and whilst you are a current student.

If you do not feel comfortable speaking directly to your supervisor, please contact your second supervisor or Postgraduate Research Tutor (if a PGR student) or module convenor; programme leader or Head of School (if you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student).

Your School Office may be able to help signpost you.

See more information about the Student Complaints procedure

Concerns regarding the decision to transfer research students to an MPhil

This may include situations where following a probation review you feel that there is evidence of an issue which impacted on the decision to transfer you to an MPhil.

See more information about the Academic Appeals procedure