Processes
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final results (including results for component parts*) in coursework units in courses at all levels;
annual and final results in honours and Higher Degree by Research Preliminary courses; and
annual and final results in the thesis and dissertation components of postgraduate research degrees other than PhD and master's degrees by research (by thesis only).
ProcessesAppeals against Academic Assessment An appeal against academic assessment is concerned purely with the accurate academic assessment of the worth of a piece of work submitted by an individual student relative to established standards and to the assessment of the work of other students (both current and former) in the unit. A student should appeal on this ground only if they have reason to believe that the final mark/grade given for a unit or course does not fairly represent the academic worth of the work submitted, relative to established standards and to the assessment of the work of other students. If the final mark is the sum of marks for a number of components of a unit, the student may appeal against one or more of the component assessments contributing to the final mark for the unit. The Process covers student appeals against the following results, as issued by boards of examiners or by faculties through their higher degrees committees or equivalent bodies: * Failure to seek re-assessment of a written assignment (or other than final examination) in the course of the year will not preclude a student from lodging a formal appeal during the relevant period following the publication of the final result. In certain courses such as Dentistry, multiple assessments are made during the year involving original works which are either altered successively and/or given back to the student such that a request for re-assessment after dispatch of the formal result for the unit as a whole is too late to permit re-assessment of the original works. In these circumstances, a student must request a re-assessment while the work is in the same state as when it was assessed and is still in a location supervised by the school. A student who does not fulfil the criteria for this appeal may have other avenues open to them for example an application for special consideration, as provided for in University General Rule 1.2.1.21. In pursuing an appeal against academic assessment beyond an initial arithmetic check of a result, a student will be questioning the judgement and/or fairness of those who assessed the academic worth of their work, and while it is entirely legitimate to do this, there should be good reasons for doing so. Recommended Informal Action Dissatisfaction with a result may arise purely from a lack of understanding of such matters as the method of assessment or the standards expected at a particular level. In order that formal appeals are not pursued unnecessarily, a student is encouraged to seek informal explanations of assessments from the unit co-ordinator or in the absence of the unit co-ordinator from the Head of School. In the case of assessments in assignments which will contribute to the final result in a unit, such explanations should be sought during the year as soon as possible after the assessment is known. In the case of a final result issued by the University, a student is recommended to seek informal feedback, where possible, including an arithmetic check, but must do so without delay so that a formal appeal can still be pursued within the twenty* University-working day time limit specified in the Regulations. * Students are strongly encouraged to lodge their appeal at the earliest possible date—preferably within twelve University working days of the release of the formal results—in order to enhance the possibility of the appeals process being finalised prior to the start of the next semester. Progress Status The Process covers student appeals against the award of a progress status by boards of examiners. The Process is concerned purely with whether the progress status awarded has been fairly arrived at by the application of the relevant Faculty Rules to the student's final results. A student who does not fulfil the criteria for this appeal may have other avenues open to them, for example an application for special consideration, as provided for in University General Rule 1.2.1.21. Recommended Informal Action A Progress Status is awarded according to the relevant Faculty Rules. Before proceeding with a formal appeal, a student is encouraged to check the rules used in the award of the progress status. A student who believes that the rules have not been correctly applied in their case is encouraged to discuss the matter with the sub-dean. It is recommended that a student dissatisfied with the explanation given informally by the sub-dean of the faculty concerned consult a Guild Education Officer for advice and guidance before deciding whether to pursue a formal appeal. Appeals against the Result of an Application for Special Consideration in Relation to an Individual Student A student may seek redress via the appeals process where they are dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeal for special consideration, as it affects the final mark in a unit or the award of a progress status. Recommended Informal Action The student is advised to discuss the matter informally with the sub-dean in the first instance. It is recommended that a student dissatisfied with the explanation given informally by the sub-dean of the faculty concerned consult a Guild Education Officer for advice and guidance before deciding whether to pursue a formal appeal. The Application of Scaling or Other Adjustment Systems The Process covers student appeals against the application of scaling or other adjustment systems by boards of examiners or others, and not appeals where the student is dissatisfied with the fact that a scaling or adjustment system is in use or the actual formulae involved. The Process is concerned purely with whether the scaling or other adjustment systems has been fairly applied by the application of the relevant Faculty policy to the student’s initial results. A student who does not fulfil the criteria for this appeal may have other avenues open to them for example an application for special consideration, as provided for in University General Rule 1.2.1.21. Recommended Informal Action Scaling and other adjustment systems are applied according to the relevant faculty policies. Before proceeding with a formal appeal a student is encouraged to check the policies used in this process. A student who believes that the policies have not been correctly applied in their case is encouraged to discuss the matter with the sub-dean. It is recommended that a student dissatisfied with the explanation given informally by the sub-dean of the faculty concerned consult a Guild Education Officer for advice and guidance before deciding whether to pursue a formal appeal. Non-adherence to the Assessment Mechanism Statement for the Unit The Process covers student appeals against non-adherence to the Assessment Mechanism Statement for the unit and not appeals against the content of the Assessment Mechanism Statement itself. A student who does not fulfil the criteria for this appeal may have other avenues open to them for example an application for special consideration, as provided for in University General Rule 1.2.1.21. Recommended Informal Action A student who is dissatisfied with the manner in which the assessment criteria, as outlined in the Unit Assessment Mechanism Statement, have been applied, should discuss this in the first instance with the sub-dean. It is recommended that a student dissatisfied with the explanation given informally by the sub-dean of the faculty concerned consult a Guild Education Officer for advice and guidance before deciding whether to pursue a formal appeal. |