Academic Reviews
Purpose |
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To allow students the opportunity to apply for a reconsideration of a decision of a Board of Studies (e.g., in relation to degree classification, failure or academic progression). |
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Grounds |
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If you are considering requesting an academic review you need to be able to demonstrate the existence of at least one of the grounds specified in the University Regulations. Regulation 17 covers academic reviews and academic review appraisals and sets out the process that will be followed in each case. In summary the grounds are:
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Postgraduate Research students (e.g. those on MPhil / PhD programmes) may also request a review if they can show that there were genuine academic differences in philosophical approach or paradigms which were not apparent when examiners were appointed on the recommendation of the Board of Studies. All students should note that dissatisfaction with a mark or set of marks, or any other aspect of the properly exercised academic judgement of the examiners is not valid grounds for an academic review. |
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Process |
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You must write to the Chair of the Board of Studies within 14 days of being notified of the decision of the Board (i.e. within 14 days of results being available on SAMIS on the Web). You should use the form available on this page. Ensure that you include all relevant evidence and documentation and specify the grounds under which the review is being requested (See points 1-3 above and Regulation 17). |
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In the case of procedural irregularity, you must show not just the existence of an irregularity but that the irregularity was sufficiently serious to call the decision into reasonable doubt. In the case of previously undisclosed mitigating circumstances, you need to show that:
Information about the individual mitigating circumstances procedure can be found here. |
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When submitting a request you should clearly state what your desired outcome is (e.g. a higher classification of degree, permission to continue studies, etc.) and you should provide detailed evidence backing up your request. |
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Once your request is submitted you will receive an acknowledgement that it has been received. It will then be considered by the Chair of the Board of Studies, who is usually the Dean of the Faculty or School. Following consultation with the relevant Head of Department, the Dean will decide whether there is a prima facie case (i.e. whether the student’s written submission and documentary evidence presents a case that is within one of the allowed grounds, and apparently substantiates the contention that the original decision was unsafe or erroneous). If a prima facie case is not established, the student will be informed in writing and will have the opportunity to challenge this decision through the academic review appraisal process. |
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If a prima facie case is established, the Dean may, in consultation with the Chair of the Board of Examiners that made the decision, take immediate action to revise the original decision of the Board. However, if the case relates to a degree classification, or if the facts of the case or their impact on the student’s performance are unclear, the Dean will convene a formal hearing of a Review Sub-Committee. |
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If a Review Sub-Committee hearing is held, you will have the right to attend, and to be accompanied by a friend or a member of the Students' Union Advice & Representation Centre. The Review Sub-Committee is independent of the Board of Examiners that made the original decision. Its role is to explore the facts of the case, giving all parties the opportunity to be heard. More information about the composition and operation of this Sub-Committee can be found in Paragraph 17.8 of the University Regulations. The decision of the Review Sub-Committee may be to uphold the original decision, or recommend a revised decision to the Board of Studies. If you wish to challenge the decision of the Review Sub-Committee you may do so through the academic review appeal process. |
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Timescale |
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Your request for an academic review must be submitted in full within 14 days of notification of the decision (i.e. within 14 days of results being available on SAMIS on the Web). The University should normally complete your academic review within four weeks of receipt of the request. However, if the request is received during a University vacation, the review will normally be completed within eight weeks of the Chair of the Board of Studies receiving your request. The dates of University semesters are detailed on the Academic Year Charts. |
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Advice |
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| If you are not sure whether to submit a request for an academic review you are strongly advised to discuss your case with either the Director of Studies for your department, or the Students' Union Advice and Representation Centre, which provides guidance and offers support to students throughout the Academic Review Process. | |
How to submit a request for an academic review |
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Please send your request and supporting documentation to the Chair of the Board of Studies within 14 days of being notified of the decision of the Board (i.e. within 14 days of results being available on SAMIS on the Web). You should use the form available below. Ensure that you include all relevant evidence and documentation and specify the grounds under which the review is being requested. |
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Academic Review Form .pdf version | Academic Review Form .doc (Word) version
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