How can I make an academic appeal?

This article is for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. Postgraduate research students should visit How can I submit an academic appeal for a research degree?

We understand that your performance in an assessment may have been affected by adverse circumstances. You may want to make an academic appeal for the following reasons:

You were unable to submit a mitigating circumstances form at the time of your assessment
You want to challenge the outcome of a request for mitigating circumstances
You believe that procedural errors by the university have impacted on your results

Important to know: Appeals which are based on a challenge to the academic judgment of the examiners will not be considered.

In this article:

Grounds for an appeal

As stated within the Academic Regulations, you may appeal on either or both of the following grounds:

Where there is evidence that assessment(s) may have been adversely affected by mitigating circumstances which the student was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to make known before the original decision was reached.

Where there is clear evidence that assessment(s) may have been adversely affected by a significant administrative error on the part of the University or in the conduct of the assessment.

You are expected to inform the university of any mitigating circumstances by submitting a Mitigating Circumstances Form (MCF) as soon as possible either before an assessment, or within 7 days of it.

If you submit an appeal which involves the retrospective disclosure of mitigating circumstances, you will need to demonstrate why you didn't make a disclosure earlier.

Appealing a mitigating circumstances decision

If you have submitted a mitigating circumstances form and it is rejected, you can appeal against this decision once your results have been ratified.

This can be on either or both of the following grounds:

There is new evidence that could not have been, or for good reason was not, made available at the time of the submission of the mitigating circumstances form, and that sufficient evidence remains that your mitigating circumstances warrant further consideration

That evidence can be produced of significant procedural error on the part of the university in the consideration of the mitigating circumstances, and that sufficient evidence remains that the original mitigating circumstances warrant further consideration

Making an appeal

The appeals process involves two stages:

Appeals concerning decisions of the Faculty Assessment Board (FAB). This is known as a Stage 1 appeal.
Appeals made to Student Conduct & Appeals; this is known as a Stage 2 appeal.

You will only need to submit a Stage 2 appeal if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your Stage 1 appeal.

Important to know: If the Faculty Assessment Board rules to remove you from your course of study due to lack of academic progress, there is a separate appeals process. For more information, please refer to How can I submit a progression appeal at King's?

How do I submit a Stage 1 Appeal?

1. Complete a Stage 1 Academic Appeal Form and include any supporting evidence.
2. This must be submitted within 15 working days of the publication of results of the relevant module.
Important to know: Appeals received after this deadline will only be accepted at the discretion of Student Conduct & Appeals. If you are submitting your appeal outside of this timeframe, you should provide a reason and evidence to explain why your appeal is late.

What happens after I’ve submitted my Stage 1 appeal?

Student Conduct & Appeals will process your form. We'll check that it meets the basic grounds for appeal, including that you’ve provided evidence.

The Faculty Assessment Board will then review your appeal. This is a team of senior academics who are familiar with your course. It's supported by professional services staff from your faculty and the wider King's community.

They'll look at the supporting evidence you provide and decide whether the criteria for an appeal have been met.

If your appeal is upheld, the outcome will depend on your circumstances. For example, you could be granted a further resit of an assessment (capped or uncapped at the pass mark depending on how many times you’ve already taken the assessment).

This outcome is then shared with Student Conduct & Appeals and relevant administration teams. They'll update your student record and share the outcome with you in due course.

Important to know: There are circumstances in which your Stage 1 appeal may be rejected before your appeal is passed on to the Assessment Board for further consideration. If this is the case Student Conduct & Appeals will let you know including your right to challenge this decision.

When will I be informed of the outcome of my Stage 1 appeal?

How do I submit a Stage 2 Appeal?

To submit a Stage 2 Appeal, you will need to submit a Stage 2 Academic Appeal Form including any supporting evidence within 10 working days of your Stage 1 Appeal outcome email.

Appeals received after this deadline will only be accepted at the discretion of Student Conduct & Appeals.

For help on supporting evidence, please refer to guidance from KCLSU Advice on Complaints & Misconduct.

What happens after I submit my Stage 2 appeal?

What can I do if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my Stage 2 Appeal?

Who can support me throughout the appeals process?

Keywords: Appeal, After you apply, Applying to King's Offer rejection

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