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You can make an academic appeal at a university or college when you believe that there has been a procedural error, unfair treatment, or other circumstances that have affected your academic assessment or progression. Academic appeals are typically allowed in specific situations, and institutions often have established procedures outlining when and how appeals can be made. Here are common scenarios in which you may consider making an academic appeal:
Assessment Issues: If you believe there was an error in the assessment process, such as a miscalculation of grades, incorrect application of assessment criteria, or failure to consider mitigating circumstances that affected your performance.
Extenuating Circumstances: If you experienced significant personal difficulties or exceptional circumstances (e.g., illness, family crisis) that affected your academic performance but were not adequately considered during the assessment.
Procedural Irregularities: If there were procedural irregularities in the assessment process, such as a failure to follow established procedures, lack of transparency, or unfair treatment in the marking or moderation process.
Discrimination or Unfair Treatment: If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, bias, or unfair treatment by academic staff during the assessment or examination process.
Fitness to Practice Decisions: For certain professional courses (e.g., medicine, law), if there are concerns about your fitness to practice and you believe the decision was unfair or based on incorrect information.
Plagiarism or Academic Misconduct Allegations: If you are accused of plagiarism or academic misconduct, and you believe the accusation is unfounded or that the investigation was not conducted fairly.
Degree Classification or Progression Decisions: If you are dissatisfied with the decision on your degree classification or progression to the next academic year, and you believe there are grounds for appeal.
It’s important to note that academic appeals are generally not meant for challenging academic judgment or disagreement with the academic assessment itself. Instead, they focus on the fairness of the process, adherence to procedures, and consideration of individual circumstances. Before submitting an appeal, carefully review your institution’s policies and procedures on academic appeals. There are often specific deadlines for submitting appeals, and you may be required to follow a formal process, including submitting evidence to support your case. If you are unsure about whether you have grounds for an appeal, consider seeking advice from a specialist Education Lawyer as these matters can become particularly complex.