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An academic appeal is a request for the review of a student progression or award decision taken by the Programme Assessment Board.
A complaint arises from a specific concern about the adequacy or quality of the provision of a programme of study or related academic service.
Where an appeal also contains a complaint, the complaint may need to be considered separately under the complaints handling procedure, which excludes reconsidering and changing academic or progression decisions.
The academic appeals process provides a route for students to seek a review of their academic progression decision.
Students should note that the appeal process relates only to progression or award decisions taken by the Programme Assessment Board. It cannot be applied to matters of academic judgement, such as module grades, nor to the proper application of the University’s regulations and policies.
The Academic Appeals principles are:
Academic progressions decisions should be defensible, fair and consistent.
The academic appeals procedure should be simple, understandable and administratively straightforward.
The policy and practice should enable students to understand the reasons for the progression decision taken and allow students to raise matters of concern without fear of disadvantage.
The following guidance in the Academic Appeals Procedure sets out how the purpose and principles will operate in practice.
If any perceived conflict is identified, this should be brought to the attention of James Nicholson, Director of School and Academic Services.
Any student seeking a review of their progression decision will be counselled by a senior member of academic staff (normally the relevant School Academic Advisor or School Research Degree representative) and the reasons for the original decision will be explained.
If the student submits a valid appeal it will be reviewed by the Stage 1 Academic Appeal Panel and an outcome emailed to the student.
If the Stage 1 Academic Appeals Panel rejects the appeal the student can appeal to the Stage 2 Academic Appeals Panel, only on the grounds of a clearly identified procedural irregularity or significant new evidence not previously available.
If the grounds for appeal are deemed valid for review the student will be expected to attend a meeting of the Stage 2 Academic Appeals Panel to present their case and may be accompanied by another member of the University community.
If the student is unable to attend, in exceptional circumstances the student may be represented by a member of the University community.
If the Stage 2 Academic Appeals Panel rejects the appeal the student may have recourse to the complaints procedure with respect to the operation of the academic appeals procedure itself.
The progression decision that is under appeal will remain in force unchanged until the appeal is concluded.
If any perceived conflict is identified, this should be brought to the attention of the Director of Student and Academic Services.
The following guidance in the Academic Appeals Procedure sets out how the purpose and principles will operate in practice.
Please download the Academic Appeal Form and follow the instructions.
If you have any queries or need a copy of this form in a more accessible format, please email academicappeals@abertay.ac.uk.