Title:               Regulation XIV: Student Appeals against Programme or Module Board Decisions, Report for 2007

 

 

1. Analysis of Appeals

 

An analysis of appeals is provided in Appendices I-IV.

 

1.1 Number of Appeals (Appendix I)

 

A total of 100 appeals were submitted in 2007, five fewer than in 2006.

 

1.2 Incidence of Appeals (Appendix II)

 

The characteristics of those who appealed were broadly in line with those of appellants in previous years.

 

Figures are provided by Department, as well as aggregated for the University, for information. However, given the small number of students involved in each department, it is difficult to draw any strong conclusions.

 

1.3 Appeal Outcomes (Appendices III and IV)

 

Around two-thirds (64%) of appeals were dismissed at the first stage of the appeals process, by the Academic Registrar, and a further 10% were dismissed by a Dean. A quarter (25%) of appeals were upheld by a Dean. One appeal was referred to the Academic Appeals Committee, but was dismissed at that stage.

 

The most common reasons for the dismissal of appeals were lack of evidence, and late disclosure of impaired performance (IP) for which good cause was not established. The majority of successful appeals related to IP where the student was able to establish good cause for not submitting a timely claim, with a small number involving procedural irregularities. In relation to the former category, sensitive personal circumstances and mental health difficulties were treated sympathetically.

 

Appendices III and IV contain further analysis of appeal outcomes in the context of the characteristics and owning department of appellants. Again, however, relatively small numbers are involved, and care must be taken not to overstate minor differences between years.