Academic Appeals

Firstly, it is a good idea to informally speak to the relevant member of staff (i.e. Module Lead or Programme Leader) about your concerns regarding the assessment results. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this informal discussion, you may consider submitting a formal academic appeal. However, appeals submitted which solely challenge academic judgement (i.e. you do not think you received the correct grade for your work) will not be considered. There are seven acceptable grounds (or reasons) by which a student can submit an appeal - read on for further details about these.

 

It is always best for students with queries such as these to gain further advice and support as soon as possible; contact the Hertfordshire Students’ Union Advice & Support Team (advice@hertssu.com) to get advice and information right away (you can expect to receive a response from the team within 2 working days or less).

An academic appeal is when you formally request for reconsideration of an assessment decision; including assessment marks, module grades, a continuation or progression decision, or entitlement to an award.

The grounds upon which students are permitted to lodge an academic appeal are;

 

• 1. The assessment procedures were not followed properly;
• 2. There has been an administrative error that would affect the outcome of the assessment decision;
• 3. The examinations or other assessments were not conducted in accordance with the approved programme regulations;
• 4. University and/or programme-specific regulations on progression and awards were not complied with;
• 5. Relevant information, including information that has already been provided by the student, was overlooked;
• 6. There is new evidence that would affect the outcome of the decision that the student was unable, for good reason, to provide earlier in the process;
• 7. There is a reasonable perception of bias during the process.

Whilst you may raise questions about assessment results, appeals must not solely challenge academic judgement. It is important to speak to your Programme Leader about any concerns you may have before proceeding with the appeals process.

If you sat or submitted an assessment, but had been affected by challenging medical or health-related circumstances which affected ability to perform to your normal standard or ability to judge whether you should proceed with the assessment, you could consider submitting a Fit to Sit exemption request. A fit to sit exemption request is submitted via the Student Portal and arrangements would need to be made for a medical practitioner to complete the Exemption from Fit-to-Sit form, for submission to fittosit@herts.ac.uk.   It is also strongly recommended that you seek support from our team if you considering this process.

To submit a formal academic appeal you must complete the ‘Request to Dean of School – Review of Assessment Decision of Board of Examiners’ form, which is available from Ask Herts, and attach it with as much supporting evidence as you can. Your completed appeal form must be submitted "FAO Dean of School" to appeals-support@herts.ac.uk within 10 working days of your results being released. Appeals submitted without using the correct form, or outside of the 10 working day deadline, will not be considered.

 

Your Dean of School will consider your case and will aim to respond within 15 working days, in writing. The Dean of School will either;

• Uphold the appeal and refer the matter back to the Board of Examiners with a recommendation that your case is reconsidered; or
• Dismiss the request.

If your case is referred back to the Board of Examiners, the Board of Examiners will consider your case and decide whether their earlier decision still stands, or whether the decision should be revised.

If the Board of Examiners accepts the request for review it will, usually, allow you another chance to be assessed at the next opportunity (with no penalty). Marks will not be changed as the Board of Examiners can only assess the work which is presented to them.

If the assessment decision of the Board of Examiners remains unchanged after the request was referred over by the Dean of School; or a request for a review (academic appeal) was dismissed by the Dean of School – Representations may be made to the Vice-Chancellor on the following grounds;

 

• That the correct procedure has not been followed and/or
• That all of the relevant circumstances have not been considered and/or
• That there is new evidence not previously considered by the Dean of School (or nominee).

You must complete the ‘Representation to the Vice-Chancellor’ form, which is available from Ask Herts, and attach it with supporting evidence and a copy of your appeal to your Dean of School. Your completed appeal must be submitted to studentprocedures@herts.ac.uk within 10 working days of the date stated on either your Letter of Decision from the Dean of School (if your first appeal was dismissed) or Letter of decision from the Board of Examiners (if the assessment decision remained unchanged following referral back to the Board of Examiners from the Dean of School).

 

Appeals submitted without using the correct form, or outside of the 10 working day deadline, will not be considered.

Any representation to the Vice-Chancellor should not be regarded as simply another opportunity to submit the same arguments as those submitted to your Dean of School.

The Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) will consider your case and aim to respond within 20 working days, in writing. The Vice-Chancellor will either;

 

1. Uphold the appeal and refer the matter back to the Board of Examiners with a recommendation that your case is reconsidered; or
2. dismiss the request.

1. If your appeal is referred back to the Board of Examiners, your case will be considered at the next date that they are due to convene. The Chair of the Board of Examiners will write to you with their decision shortly following their meeting.

If the Board of Examiners accepts your request for review it will, usually, allow you another chance to be assessed at the next opportunity (with no penalty). Marks will not be changed as the Board of Examiners can only assess the work that is presented to them.

All internal procedures have now been completed, therefore you could explore external representation.

 

Representation from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) is free of charge and the process can be started by visiting their website. You need a ‘completion of procedures letter’ to raise an issue with the OIA; you can request a ‘completion of procedures letter’ from the Office of the Dean of Students and your complaint to the OIA must be submitted within 12 months of the date on the 'completion of procedures' letter. Alternatively, you can use the Courts.