Academic Issues

Studying at University is very different from any other education you might have received. You are now an independent learner and your learning is now your responsibility.

When you start your course, you will be given handbooks which contain all the important information needed to help you. Keep it safe and please read it! If you are not sure about something then ask a member of staff, your Personal Tutor, in your school or someone in the Students' Union Advice Centre.

The Students’ Union Advice Centre can offer academic advice to all students; we have two advisors whose role it is to support students on a range of issues. We mainly deal with academic appeals, disciplinary action, personal mitigating circumstances (PMCs), complaints and Fitness for Professional Practice issues. Our advisers can also support you at hearings and meetings if appropriate.

If you need advice on something that is not mentioned above, feel free to pop in or contact us and we will try our best to help or refer you to the appropriate department/organisation.

Please find below further information:

Academic Appeals
You may find that you have received a letter from your school informing you of your results and wish to appeal the decision. Any student has the right to appeal against the decision of the Board of Examiners; however you need to have grounds of appeal. You cannot for example appeal academic judgement (e.g. if you disagree with the mark that your tutor gave you and felt that it should have been higher). The Students' Union can support you through this process and has produced a pack which outlines some useful information including some guidance notes and a draft letter to help you on your way through the process. You can find more details of the University policy on this by clicking this link

Complaints
At times students encounter problems at University, there is a procedure dedicated to ensuring that students have the right to complain. The Students’ Union can offer independent support and advice to individuals and groups of students who wish to complain.

Academic Discipline Action (Unfair means - plagiarism, collusion etc)
You may find that following the submission of a piece or work or attendance at an exam that you receive a letter informing you that you are being investigated for academic misconduct. Academic misconduct refers to plagiarism, collusion, cheating. The Students’ Union can support you through this process and outline what to expect and help you to prepare for it. The penalties for unfair means can affect your studies. You can find out about the University policy on this by clicking this link

PMC form (Personal Mitigating Circumstances)
If a personal situation is affecting your studies, you need to submit a PMC form with your work to explain why you are not attending/submitting an assessment. You will need to provide evidence to confirm your situation. It is important to seek advice regarding your PMC submission.

Changing Course
Choosing your course is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make. Many students find that when they start their course they feel that they have chosen the wrong one, if you are in this situation don’t panic-help is at hand