Student Appeals Against Academic Decisions
The Faculty procedure for student appeals against academic decisions aligns with the University policy.
View the Faculty procedure
The most commonly-questioned academic decisions relate to assessment marks. If you are concerned about an assessment mark or overall unit grade:
- Look over the assessment guidelines and feedback on the assessment already provided to you (e.g. Course Outline; comments on your assessment paper). Re-read your assessment and reflect on whether you have answered the question and met the assessment criteria.
- If you are still concerned about your mark or grade, you might like to discuss your reasons with an SRC (undergraduate) or SUPRA (postgraduate) caseworker.
- To appeal against your grade you must apply in writing, setting out your reasons, to the relevant teacher or unit of study coordinator or, in the case of postgraduate courses, the course coordinator (the “decision-maker”). This should be done within 15 working days of being advised of the particular academic decision or becoming aware of your result or grade.
The decision-maker will respond to your appeal, giving a full explanation for their decision. - If the issue cannot be resolved by step 3, a student may appeal to the Office of the Dean.
The student must put his or her concerns in writing and should submit them to within 15 working days of the outcome of step 3. The Dean will not meet with students to discuss the appeal – the appeal is considered on the facts and on the reasons provided in writing by the student. The appeal should include:
a) the reasons for the appeal;
b) the response of the decision-maker under step 3; and
c) reasons why the student is not satisfied with the response of the decision-maker.
Parts a) and c) above should be no longer than two A4 pages. - If the issue cannot be resolved by the Dean of the Faculty, the student may appeal to the University Student Appeals Board. This must be done within 20 business days of the outcome of step 4.