Find out how the academic appeal process works and how to submit an appeal.
What academic appeals are
You have the right to contest certain decisions relating to your progress, assessment or award, so long as you can demonstrate that you have valid grounds to do so and can meet other relevant criteria.
Defining academic appeals
We use the definition of an academic appeal provided by the Office for the Independent Adjudicator. This is an external independent adjudicator which was established under the Higher Education Act 2004 and provides an impartial ombuds service to students.
The definition states that an academic appeal is a challenge to, or request for, reconsideration of a decision by an academic body regarding your progress, assessment and/or award. Such bodies include Examination Boards, School Student Progress Panels and Academic Misconduct Panels. More information about the decisions that can be appealed is detailed below.
Academic appeals process
If you’re not happy with a decision you can submit either an Informal Resolution request or a Formal Appeal. This must be done within 10 university working days from the date that the decision was made available to you.
Informal Resolution (optional)
Some limited matters can be addressed quickly and directly by either the Professional Service staff supporting the decision-making bodies or the decision-making bodies themselves. What can be considered via this process is limited. You’ll find more information about this when you select your appeal type/decision making body below.
Formal Appeal
If your concern is not eligible for Informal Resolution or you’re not satisfied with the outcome of an Informal Resolution request, you can submit a Formal Appeal. Specialist staff not involved with the original decision will consider your appeal.
Appeal Outcome Review
If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of your Formal Appeal, you can, in certain circumstances submit a request to the Academic Appeals Panel to review your appeal outcome. You’ll be sent a form to make this request in your Formal Appeal outcome email. If your request does not meet the technical conditions for a review (regulation 11), or if the panel determines that the rejection of your Formal Appeal was reasonable and correct (regulation 18), you will be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter. If you are offered an outcome but are not satisfied with the outcome, you can request a Completion of Procedures letter.
Complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
If you have completed the appeal outcome review process but remain dissatisfied with the outcome, the completion of procedures email will entitle you to raise a complaint with the OIA who will determine whether the University followed its regulations and procedures and whether the outcome was fair and reasonable. You’ll be provided with information about how to do this in your outcome email.
Before entering the appeals process
Formal Appeals and Appeal Outcome Review requests can only be considered based on the information that you provide in the appeal/review form and any supporting evidence submitted. So it’s important that you follow the advice below.
Academic appeal regulations
Before submitting your appeal, it’s important that you take the time to read the academic appeals regulations [PDF 290.43KB]. When you submit a Formal Appeal form you are confirming that you have done so.
Not only do the regulations provide full details of the process but they help you to understand:
- what is and is not valid grounds for a Formal Appeal or Appeal Outcome Review request (regulation 10 and 16)
- what the evidence requirements are (regulation 8)
- in what circumstances a late appeal may be accepted (regulation 5).
Get advice and support with the appeal process
You can access further support, advice or guidance to help you understand the appeal process. This is recommended as Formal Appeals and Appeal Outcome Review requests can only be considered based on the information that you provide in the appeal form and any supporting evidence submitted.
You can get advice from:
- the Students’ Union – advisers can provide you with independent advice and help you with your appeal
- the University’s Student Advice service at the Student Centre (which is separate to the Students’ Union) – you can get advice about the appeals process and regulations.
Check which academic body made the decision that you want to appeal
There are different bodies responsible for decisions made by the University. You should check which body made the decision you want to appeal (this will be on the documentation you have received). Select the body from the options below to find out how to submit an Informal Resolution request or a Formal Appeal.
Undergraduate or Masters students
If you’re studying an undergraduate or Masters (taught postgraduate) course, you can appeal a decision made by:
- Examination Board (Progression and Award Board)
- School Student Progress Panel
- Academic Misconduct Panels.
Postgraduate researchers
If you’re a postgraduate researcher studying a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), you can appeal a decision made by:
- The Research Degree Progression and Award Board (for outcome of Vivas)
- The Assessors following a Formal Progression Review meeting (e.g. withdrawal, downgrade of other outcome.
If you’re a postgraduate researcher undertaking a Professional Doctorate, you can appeal a decision made by:
Students at partner institutions
If you’re studying at one of our partner institutions, you can submit an appeal to:
If you’ve received any other type of decision made through a University process that you want to challenge (for example, a Fitness to Practice decision) you’ll need to consult the relevant policy or regulation for that process. Only decisions from the bodies listed above are considered academic appeals.
How long will I need to wait to receive a response to my appeal
The completion of the full formal appeals process by the University (Formal Appeal and Appeal Outcome Review) should normally take no longer than three calendar months. However, the service is working to an extended timeframe of six calendar months for all appeals submitted up until September 2026.
If your appeal is not concluded within six months, you’ll be provided with an update.
Exceptional circumstances
If something affected your performance in a recent exam or other assessment, you might be able to claim for exceptional circumstances.
Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability you can get reasonable adjustments for your assessments, such as being given more time in an exam.
You should seek reasonable adjustments before you take assessments.