I've received a decision or a mark I don't agree with, is there anything I can do?

The University have now changed the process for appealing University decisions.

If you wish to challenge a University decision, you will need to complete a ‘Student Concerns Form’ which can be found here and you must do this within 10 working days of the decision being made available to you.

We can provide feedback on your appeal statement before you submit your concerns form (subject to availability). If you require feedback, you could 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.

Please note: The process for submitting Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) after the publication of results (information as of 19 January 2024) has changed - See the University's Exceptional Circumstances Policy and Procedure and our page on Personal Circumstances Affecting your Studies for more information.

There are a maximum of three stages through which a concern may be considered: -

1. Triage - A preliminary assessment of the concerns form to decide on the most appropriate way of responding
    
2. Investigation (Appeal Stage 1) - Cases will be referred to this stage when concerns cannot be quickly resolved during the triage process.
    
3. Review (Appeal Stage 2) - Students may escalate their appeal to this stage on certain grounds if they remain dissatisfied with the response at Stage 1

Challenging a grade or a mark

You can only appeal if:

• There has been an error or irregularity in the marking process or if the assessment regulations haven't been applied properly
• There is relevant new evidence or information that you did not provide and you have a valid reason why you did not submit it at the time

So, for example, you can appeal against a mark if you can demonstrate that some of your work wasn't considered. Or, as another example, if your work was marked according to 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 about 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.

Appealing against a decision not to approve an Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) request (formerly known as a RRAA)

The Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) Panel considers your ECs request for exams and assessed work that have been impacted by poor health or difficult circumstances. You can appeal against their decision if:

• You believe the Panel has not taken into account the full impact of your circumstances, particularly if you have additional evidence
• There has been an error in the decision-making process
• The Panel hasn't followed the regulations properly

Additional assessment support provisions are available to certain students, such as those with Learning Contracts, carers, and elite athletes. Check if processes have been followed correctly in your case.

Appealing against a decision of an Academic Conduct Panel

You can appeal against the decision of an Academic Conduct Panel if you can demonstrate a procedural or administrative error, or if the penalty is too severe in relation to the misconduct that has occurred.

How to appeal

You should read the University’s Academic Appeals Procedure

You will need to use the Student Concerns Form

To support your appeal, you will need to provide evidence. Details of the types of evidence you could include are explained in our self-help guide.

Deadlines

Appeal concern forms must be submitted within 10 working days of a decision being made available to you. If your appeal is late, you will have to provide evidence as to why you could not submit it earlier. If you have a valid reason to request an extension to the deadline for submitting your appeal, contact the department that deals with appeals: 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.

Can someone else submit an appeal on my behalf?

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

Stage 2 Review

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 provider 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: https://forms.office.com/e/sbXRbMkj0H. 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 see the University’s Stage 2 Appeal guidance.

Contact us 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).

Self Help

Please read the following detailed guides to the appeals procedure and appeal form.

Guide to Sheffield Hallam University's appeals procedure

Guide to completing an AA1 form

(Please note that we are in the process of updating our self-help guides but the guidance regarding what to include in your statement is still relevant.)

You can contact the Advice Service if you require additional advice or guidance – Get Advice.