Appeals

You can appeal against formal decisions made by any of the following decision-making bodies at the University:

• Academic Conduct Review Panel
• Assessment Board
• Capacity to Study Panel
• Exceptional Circumstances Panel
• Fitness to Practise Panel
• Research Degree Examiner Panel
• University Research Degrees Committee
• Head of Department regarding withdrawal for non-engagement with studies

For your concern to be considered as an appeal, you will need to explain and provide evidence to show how it meets either one or both of the following grounds for appeal:

• An irregularity in the application of the relevant regulation, policy, or procedure has impacted on the decision.
• There is relevant new evidence or information that you did not previously provide, and you have a valid reason why you did not submit it at the time.

If you want to challenge a decision made by a different decision-making body, or you do not think your concern meets the specific grounds for appeal, you could consider raising a complaint instead.

Start by reading the University's appeals policy and procedure. Then, you will need to complete a Student Concerns Form within 10 working days of the decision being made available to you.

In the appeal you should clearly detail the reasons why you think the decision was incorrect based on the grounds above, you should refer to the relevant policy and procedure, and submit any supporting evidence.

If you have questions about the appeals process or would like additional support from an adviser, contact us at SU Advice.

We can provide feedback on your appeal statement before you submit your Student Concerns Form (subject to availability). If you require feedback, you can send us your appeal statement in a word document or we can send you a hard copy of the concern form for you to complete which will then, once you have received feedback, need to be transferred to the online form.

If your appeal is late, you will have to provide evidence to show why you could not submit it earlier - a late appeal is usually only considered in exceptional circumstances.

If you are waiting on evidence to be produced (e.g. a letter from a doctor) and you are unsure whether this will be available before the deadline, you can still submit your appeal form. Make sure you clearly state the evidence you will be submitting and when you expect to be able to provide it.

If you have a valid reason to request an extension to the deadline for submitting your appeal, contact appealsandcomplaints@shu.ac.uk. You should continue to work on the basis of your original deadline until you hear whether an extension has been agreed.

The University expect students to submit appeals themselves. Only in exceptional circumstances can a third party submit an appeal form on your behalf. In this case, you must request permission in writing via appealsandcomplaints@shu.ac.uk with evidence stating reasons why you are unable to raise issues yourself.

If you receive a grade you are unhappy with, you need to consider if your concerns are mainly based around the teaching you received before you attempted the work and/or feedback you received. If this is the case, you probably need to submit a complaint. Contact us at SU Advice if you need help deciding whether you have grounds for an appeal or a complaint.

Academic judgement will not be considered under the appeals process. The OIA define academic judgement as:

'not any judgment made by an academic; it is a judgment that is made about a matter where the opinion of an academic expert is essential. So, for example, a judgment about marks awarded, degree classification, research methodology, whether feedback is correct or adequate, and the content or outcomes of a course will normally involve academic judgment'.

If you feel your work is worth a higher mark than you received, you need to consider why you believe this. If you have a difference of opinion with your tutor, this will not be considered under an appeal. You would need to be able to demonstrate, with evidence, that the University have not applied one of their policies correctly.

For example, you can appeal against a mark if you can demonstrate that some of your work wasn't considered, or if your work was marked using the module criteria for a previous academic year.

You cannot appeal against a grade or mark just because you disagree with it or feel it is unfair, and you cannot appeal against academic judgement.

You may find it helpful to look at the University's policies and guidance relating to assessment, including about the workings of the Departmental Assessment Boards (DAB) and the moderation and verification process. Additional information about how assessments are marked and what to do if you have a query about marking is also available.

Once you receive your grade, you should approach your marker to discuss any issues and provide any evidence you think will help communicate your issues. If you cannot get in touch with your marker, try contacting your Module Leader or Course Leader.

Depending on the outcome of this discussion, SU Advice will be able to support you in deciding if you have grounds for an appeal or a complaint.

What happens if my concern is not resolved or I am unhappy with the appeal outcome?

If your concern has not been resolved and you are not happy with the outcome of the Stage 1 process, you can request a review of the Stage 1 decision in one or more of the following situations:

• Where you have evidence that the procedures were not properly followed during Stage 1, and that this impacted the decision on your appeal.
• Where you have new, relevant evidence that you can demonstrate you were unable to provide earlier for reasons beyond your control.
• You believe the outcome at Stage 1 was clearly unfair or manifestly unreasonable.

You can request a review of the Stage 1 decision by completing the Appeal Review Form. You should do this within 10 working days of receiving the Stage 1 outcome. Forms received beyond the 10 working day period will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where you have provided a valid reason, with evidence, for the delay.

Please read the University's Stage 2 Appeal guidance.

Contact us at SU Advice if you are at this stage and require advice; we can check your appeal, help you identify evidence and arguments, and guide you through the process. An adviser can attend Stage 2 Appeal meetings with you too (subject to availability).

• Include specifics such as dates, times, and names.
• You can list this information as a timeline, rather than write it up in full.

Irregularity

• Identify regulations, policies, or procedures that were applied incorrectly.
• Copy sections of relevant documents or include links and provide emails from relevant staff members as evidence.
• Explain the impact of any irregularity on your case.

Examples include:

• Incorrect application of marking criteria.
• Processes in the course handbook not followed.
• Issues with your panel meeting, such as insufficient notice, lack of opportunity for you to speak, or evidence presented that was not shared in advance.
• A disproportionate outcome considering your evidence and statement.
• Being wrongly removed for nonengagement with your course.
• Issues with your Capacity to Study action plan or the management of your support meetings.

New evidence

• Outline any relevant new evidence or information that you have valid reason for not providing sooner.
• Explain how the evidence or information you are providing is relevant to the decision you are appealing.

Examples include:

• A GP letter containing more detail about your extenuating circumstances and when and how they affected you.
• A detailed support letter from your Student Support Adviser (SSA), other University staff member.
• A document you have been waiting for, such as a death certificate or a carer's assessment.

As well as providing the new evidence or information, it is important to explain its relevance to the decision you are appealing.

Ensure the evidence is independent and authoritative. Letters must be on headed paper or stamped. Screenshots and photos of documents will be accepted as long as they are easy to read.

If your deadline is approaching and you're still waiting for new evidence, submit your form anyway and state when you expect to be able to provide it.