Academic Appeals
The UUSU Appeals process gives students the chance to ask the exam board to look again at their decision and consider new information that they’d have been unaware of at the time.
This is a quick guide on what you need to know before submitting an appeal. This isn’t a substitute for advice so we recommend getting in touch with us if you’re about to appeal using our Contact Form
Quick facts about appealing at Ulster University
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When can I appeal?
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You can only appeal once you have received your exam board results.
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What can I appeal on?
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You can only appeal on 2 grounds
1) Something went wrong on your course or in the way your assessment was administered and it affected your mark
2) Something happened in your person life and Ulster University didn’t know and it affected your mark
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My situation doesn’t fit into either of those ground?
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Contact the advice team to discuss your options.
Quick note - There is no process in Ulster University to challenge a mark you disagree with.
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What’s the deadline?
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Within seven working days of the publication date of the Board of Examiner’s decision on the Web
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Key Ulster University forms
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Appeals Forms:
SA1: New evidence that was previously unavailable
SA2: Procedural irregularities occurred
SA3: Form for Associate Students
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Average length of process
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Between 10 days and 6 weeks from submitting your Appeals Form
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Don’t like the outcome?
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You can appeal the decision; more information below
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Here is a bit more info…
You can submit an appeal under two circumstances, if there has been a Material Irregularity or if you had Extenuating Circumstances at the time of your assessment. The University lay out specific criteria for each of these which I’ve detailed below.
Here are the Grounds for Appeal
1) Material Irregularity
If the University make an error in the way they administer your assessment, if you were not given the level of support promised or something else goes wrong on your course which affects your performance in an assessment then you may have grounds to appeal the exam board’s decision.
2) Extenuating Circumstances
These circumstances are serious, unexpected, and beyond your control and will have affected your ability to perform in your assessment. You will need to explain, and evidence, why you didn’t submit details of this extenuating circumstance before your work was marked.
*Your situation may fit into both categories. If you’re not sure which category your circumstances fit into, or if they fit into neither, we may be able to help you in how to present this so get in touch. Just a reminder, you can’t submit an appeal if you just disagree with the mark you obtained for a piece of work.
You’ll need to gather Evidence
Ulster University require you to provide evidence to support your claim.
Your evidence will need
· to cover the period of your material irregularity or extenuating circumstance
· contain as much detail as possible
· be in English
· if it’s on the grounds of extenuating circumstance you need to explain why you were unable submit a claim at the time
If you’re intending to provide medical evidence read our quick guide here.
The Appeals Process
· Complete the relevant Appeals form which you can find here (we can read over this if you want);
· Submit the form within 7 working days from the publication of results;
· If accepted, your appeal will be forwarded to the Exam Board Chair;
· The Chair will consult with staff and may make a decision on your appeal, alternatively you will be called to a panel;
· The Examinations Office will normally advise you of the outcome of your appeal in writing by recorded delivery within 5 working days of the meeting of the Appeals Panel.
Deadlines
The deadline for appeals is 7 working days after the results were published. If you miss the deadlines and still want to appeal you’ll need to evidence why it wasn’t possible to submit your appeal within the outlined period.
Submitting your appeal
You need to submit your appeal at each stage to the University Examination’s Office.
For your own records, I’d recommend doing this via email or if lodging your appeal in person ask for a receipt. Alternatively you can post it, if you do so, be sure to make a copy of all documents for your records and send it to the relevant campus
Possible outcomes
· Upheld – This means your appeal has been accepted and the exam board will reconsider their decision. This is different in each case but it could mean an incremental increase in mark or a chance to resubmit your work.
· Dismissed – This means your appeal has been rejected.
Unsatisfied?
If you lose your appeal and are dissatisfied with the outcome you can progress this either the University Visitor or lodge a complaint to the Public Services Ombudsman.
What can UUSU AB do for me during the UU Appeals process?
· Advise you on the process
· Help you structure your form and the reasons for your appeal
· Read over your form and suggest any changes
· Guide you through a stage 2 appeal if you don’t like the outcome
Get in touch
Other links
UU Appeals Guidance Notes:
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicservices/staff/Appeals%20Procedures.pdf