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Appeals and complaints
Some basic guidance on appeals and complaints in the School of Social Sciences (SoSS):
Appeals
The University’s Regulation XIX on Academic Appeals concerns decisions made by academic committees that affect a student’s academic status or progress. (This can include appeals against individual marks only once they have been ratified by a Board of Examiners.)
An appeal may be made only on grounds alleging:
- that there exists or existed circumstances affecting the student's performance of which, for good reason, the board of examiners or committee may not have been made aware when the decision was taken and which might have had a material effect on the decision. Note: if students wish to appeal on such grounds, they must give adequate reasons why this information was not made available prior to the decision being made.
- that there had been a material administrative error or procedural irregularity in the assessment process or in putting into effect the regulations for the programme of study of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred;
- that there is evidence of prejudice or bias or lack of proper assessment on the part of one or more of the examiners;
- that the supervision or training of the student in respect of research for a dissertation or thesis or equivalent work was unsatisfactory to the point that his or her performance was seriously affected.
An appeal which questions the academic or professional judgement of those charged with the responsibility for assessing a student’s academic performance or professional competence shall not be permitted. In other words, there is no right of appeal against academic judgement. Appeals that do not come under these four grounds are not admissible.
Students should pursue an appeal informally at School level in the first instance. Appeals should be made in writing and addressed to the student’s Programme Director (who is usually also the Chair of the relevant Board of Examiners) and copied to Paul Smith, Head of Student Support Services. Evidence supporting the appeal should be provided at this stage if available.
If students are not satisfied with the response provided by the School, they have the right to make a formal appeal to the Faculty. Formal appeals should be addressed to: Brenda Sanderson, Ellen Wilkinson Building C2.7, Faculty of Humanities, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, or by email to Brenda.sanderson@manchester.ac.uk.
Complaints
Complaints are address in University Regulation XVIII and are defined as “an expression of dissatisfaction by one or more students about the University’s action or lack of action, or about the standard of service provided by or on behalf of the University”. Students may submit a complaint at the same time as an appeal, although sometimes students may ask which is most appropriate – if the issue falls under the grounds for academic appeal above, it should be pursued in that way.
Students must pursue a complaint informally at discipline level in the first instance. Complaints should be made in writing and addressed to the relevant Head of Department and copied to Alison Wilson, the Head of School Administration.
If students are not satisfied with the School response to their complaint, they may make a formal complaint by completing the complaint form and submitting to Brenda Sanderson, whose contact details are above.
Find out more
- University Regulation XIX Academic Appeals
- University Regulation XVIII Student Complaints
- University Regulation XVII Conduct and Discipline of Students Policy
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