Recent Changes:

• August 2024: The university has changed the way that appeals are raised. To raise an appeal, you will now need to do this by completing an online ‘Student Concerns Form’ this page has been updated to reflect the new procedure.
• January 2024: The process for submitting Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) after the publication of results has changed - See the University's Exceptional Circumstances Policy and Procedure and our page on Personal Circumstances Affecting your Studies for more information.

Can I appeal?

Appeals can be made against formal decisions made by one of the following specific decision-making bodies at the university.

• Academic Conduct Review Panel

• Assessment Board
• Capacity to Study Panel
• Exceptional Circumstances Panel
• Fitness to Practise Panel
• Research Degree Examiner Panel
• University Research Degrees Committee
• Head of Department regarding withdrawal for non-engagement with studies

For your concern to be considered as an appeal, you will need explain and provide evidence to show that it meets either one or both of the grounds for appeal, these are:

There has been an irregularity in the application of the relevant regulation, policy or procedure which has had an impact on the decision.

• There is relevant new evidence or information that you did not provide, and you have a valid reason why you did not submit it at the time.

Full details of the university appeals policy can be found here.

If you wish to challenge a decision that was not made by one of the following bodies, or you do not think that it meets the specific grounds for appeal, this may be something that would be best raised as a Complaint.

How to appeal

Before you appeal you should read the Stage 1 Appeals Procedure.

To submit an appeal you will need to complete a Student Concerns Form this should be completed within 10 working days of the decision being made available to you.

In the appeal you should clearly detail the reasons why you think that the decision was incorrect based on the grounds above, you should refer to the relevant policy and procedure and submit any supporting evidence that you have.

Full details of how to complete the form and evidence to include can be found in our self help guide  Guide to completing an AA1 form

If you have any questions about the appeals process or you would like additional support from one of our advisors, details of how to get in contact can be found here.

We can provide feedback on your appeal statement before you submit your concerns form (subject to availability). If you require feedback, you could send us your appeal statement in a word document or we can send you a hard copy of the concern form for you to complete which will then, once you have received feedback, need to be transferred to the online form.

What if the deadline has passed, I need more time or I am not able to complete it myself?

If your appeal is late, you will have to provide evidence as to why you could not submit it earlier – a late appeal would usually only be considered in exceptional circumstances.  

If you are waiting on evidence to be produced, e.g. a letter from a doctor and you are unsure whether this will be available before the deadline, you can still submit your appeal form. Make sure to clearly state the evidence that you will be submitting and when you expect to be able to provide it.

If you have a valid reason to request an extension to the deadline for submitting your appeal, contact the department that deals with appeals: appealsandcomplaints@shu.ac.uk. You should continue to work on the basis of your original deadline until you hear whether an extension has been agreed.

The University expect students to submit appeals themselves. Only in exceptional circumstances can a third party submit an appeal form on your behalf. You must request permission in writing via appealsandcomplaints@shu.ac.uk with evidence stating reasons why you are unable to raise issues yourself.

Challenging a grade or a mark

If you have received a grade that you are unhappy with, you need to consider if your concerns are mainly based around the teaching that you received before you attempted the work and/or feedback you received. If this is the case, you probably need to submit a complaint. The Student Advice Centre can help you decide if you have an appeal or a complaint.

Academic judgement will not be considered under the appeals process. The OIA define academic judgement as

'not any judgment made by an academic; it is a judgment that is made about a matter where the opinion of an academic expert is essential. So, for example, a judgment about marks awarded, degree classification, research methodology, whether feedback is correct or adequate, and the content or outcomes of a course will normally involve academic judgment'.

If you feel your work is worth a higher mark you need to consider why you believe this. If you have a difference of opinion than your tutor, this will not be considered under an appeal. You would need to be able to demonstrate, with evidence, that the University have not applied one of their policies correctly.

So, for example, you can appeal against a mark if you can demonstrate that some of your work wasn't considered. Or, as another example, if your work was marked according to the module criteria for a previous academic year.

You cannot appeal against a grade or mark just because you disagree with it or feel it is unfair, and you cannot appeal against academic judgement.

You may find it helpful to look at the University's policies and guidance relating to assessment, including about the workings of the Departmental Assessment Boards (DAB) and about the moderation and verification process. Additional information about how assessments are marked and what to do if you have a query about marking is also available.

What should I do about my grade if I am unhappy?

Once you have been given your grade you should approach your marker to discuss your issues. Take any evidence you have with you that you think will help communicate your issues. If you cannot get in touch with your marker, you could contact the Module Leader or  Course Leader

Depending on the outcome of this discussion the Student Advice Centre will be able to support you in deciding if you have an appeal or complaint.

Stage 2 Review

If your concern has not been resolved and you are not happy with the outcome of the Stage 1 process, you can request a review of the Stage 1 decision in one or more of the following situations:

• Where you have evidence that the procedures were not properly followed during Stage 1, and that this impacted the decision on your appeal.
• Where you have new, relevant evidence that you can demonstrate you were unable to provider earlier for reasons beyond your control.
• You believe the outcome at Stage 1 was clearly unfair or manifestly unreasonable.

You can request a review of the Stage 1 decision by completing the Appeal Review Form: https://forms.office.com/e/sbXRbMkj0H. You should do this within 10 working days of receiving the Stage 1 outcome. Forms received beyond the 10-working day period will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where you have provided a valid reason, with evidence, for the delay.

Please see the University’s Stage 2 Appeal guidance.

Contact us if you are at this stage and require advice. We can check your appeal, help you identify evidence and arguments, and guide you through the process. An adviser can attend Stage 2 Appeal meetings with you too (subject to availability).