{"id":2301,"date":"2020-10-27T11:26:45","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T11:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glos.ac.uk\/information\/?post_type=ht_kb&p=2301"},"modified":"2024-03-27T15:44:25","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T15:44:25","slug":"academic-appeals-and-student-complaints-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/www.glos.ac.uk\/information\/knowledge-base\/academic-appeals-and-student-complaints-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Academic Appeals and Student Complaints: Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have any queries which are not answered below please email appealsandcomplaints@glos.ac.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the difference between an Academic Appeal and a Student Complaint?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An Academic Appeal is a request for a review of a decision of an academic body charged with making decisions on student progression, assessment and awards. A Student Complaint is the expression of a specific concern about matters that affect the quality of a student\u2019s learning opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Academic Appeals FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who should I first talk to about an appeal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You must first raise the academic appeal-related matter informally with the appropriate Module \/ Course Team or School, as soon as it arises so that it can be responded to and dealt with quickly at a local level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the deadline for submitting an appeal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the matter cannot be resolved informally at a local level, and if there are valid grounds for appeal, a formal academic appeal must be submitted on an Academic Appeals Form within 20 working days of the appropriate Module Board of Examiners\/Award and Progression Panel, together with any appropriate supporting evidence. Dates of the Boards\/Panels, and deadlines for Academic Appeal submissions, can be found on the Academic Appeal Form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is meant by academic judgement and why am I not permitted to question it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Boards of Examiners\/Award and Progression Panels follow University guidelines on the moderation of marking\/double marking, and External Examiners ensure that standards are comparable with standards at other Universities. Therefore you may not base an appeal on your belief that your work was worthy of a higher grade than the one awarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can the Academic Appeals Group or Academic Appeals Review Panel raise my grade?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No. If the Academic Appeals Group or Academic Appeals Review Panel feel that circumstances existed which may have affected the grade you obtained they may request that the Board of Examiners\/Award and Progression Panel reconsider its decision. If the Board\/Panel modifies its decision it may mean that you are given the opportunity to achieve an improved result through repeating the assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been asked to supply \u2018any appropriate documentary evidence\u2019 along with my Academic Appeal Form, what does this mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is any documentation you have which supports your grounds for appeal which could include copies of email conversations, information provided to you regarding the assessment, medical certification etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve submitted the Academic Appeals Form \u2013 what happens next?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Governance & Secretariat Services Team will first ask a relevant senior leader in the School to consider if your appeal can be resolved informally. If they say that it cannot be resolved informally, the School will be asked to provide a written response detailing why. The response will then be sent to you, and you can provide comment. An Academic Appeals Group meeting will then be arranged to meet at the earliest opportunity to consider your appeal. A decision will be communicated to you within 5 working days of the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve received a response from the Academic Appeals Group who state that there is \u2018insufficient evidence to uphold the appeal\u2019 – what do I do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to continue with your appeal, and you meet the grounds outlined in the Academic Appeals Procedure to do so, you will need to inform Governance & Secretariat Services (via email to appealsandcomplaints@glos.ac.uk<\/a>) within 10 working days, in writing, of your intention to proceed to have your case considered further by an Academic Appeals Review Panel. You should ensure that you include any relevant documentary evidence that may help support your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My appeal has been \u2018rejected as invalid\u2019 by the Academic Appeals Group \u2013 what does that mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your appeal will be rejected if it is made against the academic judgement of the Board of Examiners\/Award and Progression Panel, or is made outside the published deadlines, or for other good reason identified by the Group. If this happens, you may submit a request for review to the Director of Strategic Planning & Transformation, providing you meet the grounds outlined in the Academic Appeals Procedure for this. If, following that review, you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you will be advised that you may apply for a review by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), if your case is eligible under its Rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is it taking so long for my appeal to be heard by the Academic Appeals Review Panel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An Academic Appeals Review Panel will need to be established and will consist of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n