2026-27
Code of Procedure for Appeals by Students Against Academic Decisions
The Code of Procedure for Appeals by Students against Academic Decisions is governed by Resolution No. 570 of the University Court.
26.1 Introduction
The University has a duty to maintain and enhance the quality of provision for students and to provide an effective system for handling appeals and complaints. This section states the procedure for regulating appeals against academic decisions affecting students other than decisions taken in respect of proceedings under the Code of Student Conduct (Regulation 33) or the Complaints Handling Procedure (Regulation 29).
26.2 Principles
26.2.1 A student should have a full opportunity to raise an appeal against an academic decision without fear of disadvantage and in the knowledge that confidentiality shall be respected.
26.2.2 Students should be directed to the website containing the Code of Procedure for Appeals by Students against Academic Decisions and should be provided with advice concerning sources of support and advice including the Students' Representative Council.
26.2.3 Clear guidance should be provided on the University website to direct a student to sources of advice with regard to the University's compliance with the Data Protection legislation and the Freedom of Information Act.
26.2.4 Members of College Appeals Committees and the Senate Appeals Committee should be appointed annually and should receive an annual briefing. A member should normally serve for a period of three years and will normally only be permitted to serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
26.2.5 A representative of the student body who is present at an appeal as an observer should be given appropriate guidance.
26.2.6 The Senate Appeals Committee and each College Appeals Committee should provide an annual report to Senate containing a review of its activities in relation to academic appeals.
26.2.7 The University reserves the right to suspend procedures for an appeal if the student behaves inappropriately. In such cases the Clerk of Senate or their nominee shall suspend procedures and advise the student accordingly. Misconduct may be deemed to be in breach of the Code of Student Conduct and disciplinary proceedings invoked.
26.3 Definition of an Appeal
26.3.1 An appeal is defined as a request for a review of a decision of an academic body charged with making judgements concerning student progression, assessment or awards.
26.3.2 A student may appeal (request a review of an academic decision) on the grounds of defective or unfair procedure by the academic body or a failure of the academic body to respond appropriately to their medical or adverse personal circumstances submitted in accordance with the Assessment Regulations (Regulation 16).
26.3.3 A student may not appeal to a College or to the Senate Appeals Committee against an academic decision in respect of marks awarded for academic work (other than the imposition of a penalty),[1] decisions of examiners or other matters of academic judgement unless the grounds of the appeal are contained in §26.3.2.
26.3.4 Subject to the exception which follows, a former student may not appeal once they have graduated from the University. By graduating, the former student is deemed to have accepted the award made by the Board of Examiners and the decision of the appropriate College. An appeal following graduation may be permitted, only in exceptional circumstances, if the student produces evidence that the Board of Examiners' process was defective or lacked essential information which (a) is likely to have had a material bearing on the outcome; and (b) could not reasonably have been produced by the student prior to graduation. Any appeal must be made within three months of the date of graduation or the date upon which the former student became aware (or, with reasonable diligence, could have become aware) of the defective procedure or essential information.
26.4 The Appeal Process
26.4.1 The Senate is charged by the Universities (Scotland) Acts with a duty to superintend the teaching of the University. This is understood to include examining. The Senate has authorised the establishment of College Committees to hear appeals in the first instance, as specified in the Code of Procedure for Appeals to a College Appeals Committee (Regulation 27).
26.4.2 A student may further appeal against the decision of the relevant College Appeals Committee to the Senate Appeals Committee. The Code of Procedure for Appeals to the Senate Appeals Committee (Regulation 28) is set out, after the College Appeals Code.
26.4.3 Where the appeal is made to the Senate Appeals Committee on the grounds that the disposal at College level was manifestly unreasonable, the appeal must clearly and fully specify in what respects the student believes the College Appeals Committee was mistaken in its decision.
26.4.4 Section 6(2) of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, gives the University Court power to review any decision of the Senate Appeals Committee. The University Court has devolved its responsibilities in this respect to an external adjudicator.[2] Although the decision of the external adjudicator is not legally binding on the University Court, the expectation is that the University Court shall accept the decision and any accompanying recommendations.
Footnotes
[1] For example, an appeal may be made against a reduction in grade or secondary band imposed under Submission of Assessment §16.25 - §16.29 of the Assessment Regulations (Regulation 16).
[2] External adjudication will be provided by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (www.spso.org.uk/).