Academic appeals
Academic Appeals allow students to appeal an academic decision made by the University. You can appeal a ratified result, the outcome of an Extenuating Circumstances panel, the outcome of a misconduct allegation or the required withdrawal from your course.
Our Academic Caseworkers can provide advice and support with Academic Appeals. They can also accompany you to University meetings and hearings. They will help you make the best representations you can regarding your case and ensure you follow the correct University procedures.
Do I have the right to appeal?
Any Solent University student has the right to appeal an academic outcome if one or more of the below points are relevant to you and your case.
Our trained Academic Caseworkers are here to support you through every stage, so you are not alone!
Please note: This section is taken from the Academic Handbook and highlights the areas that you can appeal against.
You may appeal the decision of a Board where:
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New, relevant, written extenuating circumstances are presented (see University Extenuating Circumstances procedure), supported by appropriate evidence, that for good reason were not originally made available to the Extenuating Circumstances panel, and therefore were not considered at the time of the decision of the Unit Assessment Board;
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Processes were not conducted in accordance with current approved policies and procedures or there was other irregularity concerned with the assessment process; and
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There has been a material and significant error in the recording and/or processing of assessments/results
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There has been a procedural error in the calculation of the award/progression decision;
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Academic penalties were not applied in accordance with current approved policies and procedures.
What is not considered grounds for an Academic Appeal?
Please note: This section is taken from the Academic Handbook and highlights what is not considered grounds for an academic appeal.
Matters for which separate procedures exist, as indicated in brackets below:
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Disciplinary matters (Student Disciplinary Procedure)
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Complaints relating to the Solent Students’ Union (further information can be sought from the President of the Students’ Union);
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Complaints of personal misconduct against a member of staff (refer to the Student Complaint Procedure);
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Research students (the appeals procedure is set out in Section 2R: Examination of Research Awards, of the University’s Academic Handbook); and
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Complaints of specific concern or expression of dissatisfaction about the courses, facilities or services provided by the University, or about actions or lack of actions by the University and its staff (see the Student Complaint Procedure).
The Academic Appeals process
Please note: The Academic Appeal process does not apply to other University procedures e.g. complaint process, Academic Misconduct etc. If you are facing any other University process and would like to appeal an outcome received, please refer to the policy of the procedure you are under. They have their own steps that you need to take. Please do not use the Academic Appeal form to appeal outcomes of other processes.
In the first instance, if you aren't happy with the decision, try talking the matter through with an appropriate person in your department or course, such as your course leader or lecturer. You should seek clarification where you are unclear on how or why the decision has been taken. It may be that following this discussion you are clearer about the decision (e.g. how a mark for an examination/piece of work was arrived at or how the classification has been calculated) and the matter can therefore be resolved informally.
After speaking to your department, you have the option of formally appealing under the University's Academic Appeals Procedure if you are still unhappy with the decision.
The Academic Appeals process allows you to appeal against a decision that the University have made about an academic outcome that you have received. You cannot appeal an academic judgement.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that any evidence to support their appeal are bought to the Universities’ attention. You must submit a statement against the allegation with this.
Stage 1 – Academic Appeal form – statement and evidence required
If you are unhappy with the outcome, an Academic Caseworker can assist you with the writing of a statement and looking at any evidence that you may feel is of help towards your appeal.
The Academic Appeal form can be found here.
Stage 2 Appeal review – statement plus any additional evidence formerly not available
In some cases, you may not have had the supporting evidence at the time. You will have the opportunity to present this with your statement.
The Academic Appeal review form can be found here.
If your appeal has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to formally request an Academic Appeal review. If you wish to request an appeal review you should write, within ten working days of notification of the outcome of the Academic Appeal, to:
Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals Manager
Policy, Governance and Information Service
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN
Email: appeals.complaints@solent.ac.uk
Book an appointment with one of our academic caseworkers
Please email suadvice@solent.ac.uk to arrange an appointment with one of our trained Academic Caseworkers.
Our Academic Advice service and Solent Students' Union cannot support with mental health or wellbeing requests in any capactiy. We can only signpost or direct you to resources or services available with the University. For more details about resources for wellbeing information and support, both externally and within the University, please visit the Solent University Student Hub page.
Useful documents and links