Academic Appeals

The information and policy accessible from his page relates solely to the conduct of appeals made by students against an aspect of their academic assessment. Allegations of bullying, harassment or victimisation are managed under the University of Bradford's Diginity and Respect Policy and Procedure.

If you wish to Appeal, please contact complaintsandappeals@bradford.ac.uk, and we will send you the relevant forms for you to complete.

When can I submit my appeal?

The University will not normally permit an appeal by a student until a Board of Examiners has ratified a decision with regard to a student's progression or award.

Students may, however, appeal against a failed module or placement mark prior to that mark being formally ratified by a Board of Examiners or by the Faculty Postgraduate Research Student Committee, where that failure prevents them from progressing within their award.

What do I submit?

Your appeal must include a  completed copy of the relevant appeal form’ along with a letter stating the grounds and reasons for the appeal.

Make sure you include all your evidence, such as doctors' notes etc and ensure that you are clear about your reasons for appealing because you are not permitted to cite additional grounds or add additional substantive points later in the process.

Please note that your appeal cannot be considered if you do not state the grounds under which you are appealing.

For students studying Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate courses please see section 3.1 onwards of the University Regulations relating to Academic Appeals.

For students studying Postgraduate Research degrees please see section 4 onwards.

If you have witness statements, include them in the original appeal submission as they will not be accepted at a later time.

Where should I submit my appeal?

You must submit your appeal to complaintsandappeals@bradford.ac.uk, within 10 working days of the date of the publication of the recommendations of the Board of Examiners or Faculty Postgraduate Research Student Committee (as appropriate), unless there is good cause for your being unable to comply with this requirement. Late appeals must include a statement which says why you were unable to submit on time.

If you are appealing against a placement decision you must lodge your appeal as soon as possible after you receive your results.

Attendance whilst appeal is pending

10. Student’s assessment or progression whilst appeals are pending resolution

10.1 In order not to disadvantage students who have appeals which are pending consideration, where such cases are not affected by Professional Body requirements, Faculties will permit such students to undertake supplementary assessment at their own risk in the modules which are the subject of review.

10.2 Students who are awaiting the outcome of an appeal will be permitted to undertake reassessment in modules in which they have not achieved the required pass mark. 11 However, such supplementary assessments are undertaken at their own risk and will only be marked and considered by an Assessment Committee/Board of Examiners if their appeal is upheld. If the appeal is not upheld, the work will not be marked, the attempt will be deemed null and void and the decision of the June Board of Examiners will stand.

10.3 It should be made clear to affected students that any notification of supplementary assessment is independent of and separate from the outcome of the appeal and should in no way be taken as an indication thereof.

10.4 Likewise, students who would otherwise be progressing into the next stage of their studies will be permitted to re-register, on the understanding that the outcome of their appeal may necessitate their withdrawal or intercalation from the course.

Who can I get help from?

You can approach the Student Advisor in the Students' Union (ubu-advice@bradford.ac.uk), for assistance with the preparation and submission of your appeal. You can contact the student advisors by email via the link above or by phone on (01274) 233300

What happens if the Faculty upholds my appeal?

If the Faculty decides that your appeal should be upheld they will change the decision of the Board of Examiners by Chair's Action and they will inform you when they have done so.

What happens if my appeal is not upheld by the Faculty?

If your appeal is turned down by the Faculty you will be informed in writing. You may then invoke the review stage of the appeals process to reconsider your case.

You should submit the following:

• a Stage 2: Review Stage Appeal Form.
• a letter detailing why you wish to invoke the Review Stage of the appeals procedure.
• a copy of Stage 1: Formal stage outcome letter.

All this information should be sent to the student casework team within 10 working days after receiving notification of the decision of the Board of Examiners.

Email: complaintsandappeals@bradford.ac.uk

Then what happens?

Your appeal will be considered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) who will investigate your case. You will be informed in writing when a decision has been reached.

If my Appeal is still not successful?

There is no further internal appeal against the decision of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). However, if you still feel you have been treated unfairly you may put your case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator who, providing the case is something they are permitted to look at under their Rules, will investigate your case further and make judgement about whether it should be upheld or not.

If you want a more detailed overview of the appeals process, please read the regulations above. If you have any further enquiries or require hard copies of the documents above, please request these from our department complaintsandappeals@bradford.ac.uk.