Student Academic Grievance Policy

The University aims to provide students with a fair, equitable and productive learning environment. In order to achieve this aim a clear and consistent process has been developed for resolving student academic grievances.

The term "academic grievance" refers to a complaint by a student concerning an act, omission or decision by a member of staff or a committee of the University that affects a student's academic experience. Examples of the types of complaints that may constitute an academic grievance include the following:

• failure to assess work in accordance with specified criteria;
• bias by marker;
• technical marking or collating error;
• failure to manage requests for special consideration in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy;
• failure of a research project supervisor to fulfill their responsibilities as defined in the Code of Practice - Honours;
• failure to adhere to the requirements of the General Course Rules, including the rules governing the award of grades of performance, granting of awards "with Distinction", minimum rate of progress, advanced standing, amendments to academic records;
• failure to adhere to the requirements of the Award Rules;
• failure to adhere to mandatory requirements of a relevant Code of Practice (e.g. Teaching and Assessment, Honours, Practical Placements), including assessment or examination requirements;
• failure to adhere to Faculty assessment or examination requirements;
• failure to follow due process in handling student requests or complaints.

The University and the Faculty of Education have formal Student Academic Grievance Policies that are to be used only after informal approaches have been made to the relevant staff (marker, tutor, lecturer, subject co-ordinator). A procedure detailing the steps to be taken when pursuing an issue concerning academic experience may be downloaded: Academic Grievance Resolution Procedure – Who to Approach about an Issue Affecting Academic Experience.

Every attempt should be made to settle the issue informally but, where this is not possible, an application to Appeal Against A Decision or Action Affecting Academic Progress must be submitted to the Sub Dean. This application can be downloaded or a copy may be obtained from the Faculty of Education's Student Services Centre, Bdg. 23. Please note the strict guidelines and time frames.

A full copy of the University Academic Student Grievance Policy can be found at

Academic Grievance Policy (Coursework and Honours Students)
Academic Grievance Policy (Higher Degree Research Students)