10.1.2 General principles

1. The University cannot operate outside of University Regulations and examination conventions, and appeals seeking such outcomes will not be considered.

2. Following the publication of a student’s academic results (end of Semester 1, 2 and the supplementary examination period), a student can submit an appeal against their result(s).

3. Before deciding whether there are grounds for the submission of an appeal, students are encouraged to meet with the relevant academic staff following the publication of their results to seek feedback and to establish whether or not they have grounds for an appeal. If the student wishes to raise the issues further, they may submit an appeal.

4. It is normally expected that appeals will be submitted by the student. However if, at the time of the submission of the appeal, the student feels unable to complete and submit the form themselves, due to illness or another reason that prevents them from doing so, the student may wish to appoint a representative to complete and submit the appeal on their behalf. A representative could be another student or a representative from the Students’ Union. The student would normally be expected to provide written consent, by letter or via their University e-mail account, to authorise someone to act on their behalf (there would have to be a good, valid reason for this not to be possible).

5. If a student has a representative, this should not delay the process. The University will decline to accept appeals from third parties unless they are acting as a student’s representative.

6. Where an academic appeal also contains within it a complaint, it is possible for the appeal or complaint to be reclassified (at whatever stage they may have reached) and processed under the most relevant regulation or Procedure if this is likely to lead to a more appropriate outcome for the person(s) appealing or complaining. The student will be informed if this situation arises.

7. Students will not suffer any disadvantage or recrimination as the result of making an academic appeal in good faith. Only if an academic appeal is judged to have been made frivolously (i.e. with no serious purpose or value), vexatiously (i.e. the appeal is distressing or annoying) or with malice (i.e. the desire to inflict harm or suffering), could disciplinary issues arise in relation to the student. (See Aberystwyth University Disciplinary Procedures).

8. Advice about this procedure may be obtained from the Deputy Registrar (or nominee), Academic Registry (caostaff@aber.ac.uk) or from a Student Adviser in the Students’ Union (union.advice@aber.ac.uk).