Appealing as a Postgraduate Research student
In accordance with the Academic Regulations (research degree programmes) postgraduate research (PGR) students may appeal against:
- The decision of an examiner where the outcome was such that they were not awarded the degree they were enrolled upon.
- A decision not to approve an upgrade from MPhil to PhD.
Can I appeal against the decisions of examiners for thesis & oral exam?
You may appeal against the decision of an examiner where the outcome was such that you were not awarded the degree you were enrolled upon, i.e. PhD or MD(Res), MPhil (other than the MPhilStud) or MPhilStud (in respect of the thesis/oral examination only).
How can I submit an appeal?
An appeal must be submitted using the PGR Appeal Form: Thesis & Oral Examination to Student Conduct & Appeals within 21 days of the publication of the result of the examination.
In accordance with the Academic Regulations, the Principal will allow an appeal to be heard if satisfied at least one of the following grounds are met:
- Where there is evidence that your performance at the oral examination may have been adversely affected by mitigating circumstances which you were unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge to the examiners before the decision was reached.
- Where there is clear evidence of significant administrative or procedural error on the part of the university in the conduct of the examination, and that this accounted for your performance.
- Any other grounds considered applicable, including grounds of compassion.
The Principal will determine whether the criteria for an appeal have been met.
Where they have, an Appeal Committee will be convened; otherwise, the appeal will be dismissed. This decision will normally be communicated within 42 days of receipt of the appeal.
What happens if an Appeal Committee is convened?
Where an Appeal Committee is convened, you will normally receive at least 10 working days' notice of the hearing and you will be invited to present your case to the Panel.
- The examiners, or other relevant staff, will also be invited to give evidence.
- The Committee will determine whether there is sufficient reason to challenge the decision of the examiners.
- Where it concludes such reason is present, they can set aside the original examination and ask that a new one be conducted, or refer the case back to the examiners for re-consideration.
- The decision of the Committee will normally be communicated to you and the examiners within 5 working days of the decision.
Important to know: For guidance on how to prepare for a committee hearing, take a look at our article What can I expect at an Appeal Committee hearing?
Can I appeal against PhD upgrade and MD(Res) transfer decisions?
You may appeal against a decision not to approve an upgrade from MPhil to PhD/MD(Res) as set down in the Academic Regulations.
How can I submit an appeal?
An appeal must be submitted through the PGR Appeal Form: (PhD Upgrade & MD(Res)) Transfer to your records centre within 21 days of the notification of the upgrade decision.
This must take place before the university is able to consider any applicable appeal under the Academic Regulations.
In accordance with the Academic Regulations the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies will allow an appeal to be heard if satisfied at least one of the following grounds are met:
- Where there is evidence that the student's performance may have been adversely affected by mitigating circumstances which the student was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge to the examiners before the decision was reached.
- Where there is clear evidence of a significant administrative or procedural error on the part of the university in the conduct of the upgrade process, and that this accounted for the student's performance.
- Any other grounds, including compassion, considered applicable.
The Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies will determine whether the criteria for an appeal have been met. Where they have, an Appeals Panel will be convened; otherwise the appeal will be dismissed.
This decision will normally be communicated within 14 working days of receipt of the appeal.
What happens if an Appeal Panel is convened?
- The Appeals Panel will consider a detailed account of the factors leading to the Upgrade Panel's decision, including:
- a statement from the student's supervisor(s);
- the PGR Appeal Form;
- any further comments received from the student.
- The decision of the Panel will normally be communicated to the student and the examiners within 30 working days of receipt of the appeal.
- In the event that the Panel dismiss the appeal and uphold the decision to terminate the student's registration, removal proceedings shall be instigated under the Academic Regulations.
Important to know: You have the right to appeal against your removal in accordance with the Academic Regulations.
Important to know: For guidance on how to prepare for a committee hearing, take a look at our article What can I expect at an Appeal Committee hearing?
What can I do if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of appeal?
When all internal procedures are complete, if you’re unhappy final outcome, you can request an independent review of your case by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education ('OIA').
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (‘OIA’) is an independent body set up to review student complaints. It is free for students and deals with individual complaints against Higher Education Institutions in England and Wales.
Provided your complaint is eligible under the rules of the OIA's complaints scheme, the OIA will look at whether King's has applied its regulations properly and followed its procedures correctly. It also considers whether any decision made by the King's was fair and reasonable in all the circumstances.