Decisions made by an assessment board, Research Degrees Committee or Examiners carry a right of appeal. This may be a decision regarding an assessed component or whole module, progression or non-progression, the overall degree classification, the decision to terminate registration or to qualify for transfer from MPhil to PhD.

15 University working days from notification of the (ratified) results.

Grounds for Appeals can be found in Chapter 6 of the General Relations, the link to which can be found here.

You cannot appeal on the basis of personal circumstances such as ill health.  If your ability to take an assessment is impaired you should apply for deferral at the earliest possible opportunity (before the results are known) – see Chapter 5 of the General Regulations

 

You cannot appeal on the basis of questioning academic judgement i.e. disagreeing with the opinion of the marker.

 

You cannot appeal on the basis of alleged inadequacies of teaching or supervision – these issues should be raised at the earliest opportunity using the complaints process.

• A completed form
• A supporting statement (no more than 2000 words, a page or two should suffice) containing the following:
• Your name
• Your P Number
• Title: Academic Appeal Supporting Statement
• The module code(s), title(s) and assignment(s) you wish to appeal
• Which of the two grounds you are using to appeal (you can use both)
• What errors you believe have occurred
• What evidence you can provide to support this conclusion
• How significantly the alleged error has affected your grade or situation
• What outcome you are seeking to put this right [template]
• Evidence.  The form asks that this should be kept to 8 pages or less so be selective, but note that evidence cannot be added later on so don’t omit anything important.  

Evidence is key to an appeal. It is hard to be successful with an appeal if it lacks evidence. Any evidence is worth attaching such as: Emails/letters - Correspondence between you and DMU - Feedback - Past marks - GP letters – DSA needs assessments - Extracts from the Course or Module handbook (found on Blackboard) - Feedback sheet from the assignment, your transcript (available from mydmu or your Faculty Advice Centre).

You can hand this in at the Academic & Student Services reception on the ground floor of Gateway House (ask for a receipt) or you can email it to acasupportoffice@dmu.ac.uk

Whist an appeal is pending you retain student status and can proceed (provided that your other results would allow this) until the appeal is resolved. Please note that entitlement to proceed relates to theoretical work only and not to work-based learning (e.g. placement or practice).

 

The appeal is initially received by the Appeals and Student Conduct Officer and it will be dismissed if it is out of time, or does not meet the grounds to appeal or where there is insufficient evidence to justify further attention. 

 

If the appeal is not dismissed at this stage, it will be made known to the faculty concerned and depending on the option selected on the Appeal Form, the matter may proceed to mediation or to a hearing.

 

If you successfully demonstrate that the assessment was not properly conducted, the outcome of the appeal may be to set aside the result and have another opportunity to take the assessment.  If you successfully challenge the legitimacy of the marking, the marking can be checked using moderation, usually by external markers. 

 

If you have completed and passed your course you will proceed to graduate.  If the appeal is successful and your grades are later amended, your transcript and certificate can be re-issued.

The mediator is a member of DMU staff trained in mediation and acting with impartiality.  The mediator would not be anyone connected with your case.  They will contact both parties to arrange a meeting with a view to negotiating a mutually agreeable and binding resolution.  If successful this agreement will be written down and signed by you and the appeal is then ended.  If an acceptable resolution cannot be reached, the matter will be referred to a panel hearing.

A panel is formed from trained members of staff who are unconnected with your case and will act with impartiality. There are protocols for the conduct of the hearing and the appellant will have the opportunity to present their case with the help of a representative if they wish.  The panel will decide whether the appeal is upheld or not.  Please note that the panel members are not there to re-assess your work and they will not have the knowledge or authority to change your mark.  They are not therefore assessing the academic merits of your work, just whether the correct and fair procedures have been applied to the assessment in question.

You are permitted to bring a companion with you. This could be a friend or relative, alternatively you may request to be accompanied by a member of the Advice Team subject to availability. You are only allowed to have one companion and you are not permitted to have a solicitor.

 

You can request a companion through our Get In Touch Form. Please mind that we need a least 7 days notice if you would like a DSU Adviser to act as a companion.

It may take a couple of weeks for the appeal to be read and initially assessed.  If accepted, a mediator will be assigned shortly after this and the meeting should be convened within 3 weeks.  If mediation fails or is not opted for, then a hearing should be convened within 4 weeks.  In total therefore, an appeal could easily take 6 weeks or more to be concluded.

There is an appeals process which can be used if you can show that the correct procedures were not followed by the first appeals panel or that there is new and relevant evidence that was not available earlier (i.e. this cannot be used to submit evidence that was available earlier but was not provided). The deadline to appeal is 14 days after the hearing.

 

If the appeal is accepted, another hearing will be convened with a new panel.

 

If the appeal is dismissed for lacking substance, this decision shall be final.

 

Once the internal procedures have been exhausted a ‘Completion of Procedures’ letter will be issued.  This entitles you to access the independent adjudicator (OIA) who can review your case.  Before doing so it is advisable to speak to a DSU Adviser.  More information about the OIA is available on their website

See DMU's Academic Appeals page

DSU Advice offers advice on your appeal, help to prepare it and can act as a companion at mediation and/or hearings.