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You have the right to appeal academic decisions made by the University. The University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021 is the policy that governs academic appeals at the University of Sydney.
The University of Sydney provides all enrolled students with an internal process for appealing decisions made by the University. There are 3 escalating stages in the academic appeal process:
Decisions that are commonly appealed include:
An appeal must identify your concerns with the decision, or lack of due process. You need to clearly explain how the decision failed to properly follow 1 or more University policies or procedures. For example, an essay marked without following the published marking criteria.
Examples of when you would not have strong reasons to appeal include:
It may be difficult to appeal an academic’s judgment, expertise, or discretionary powers. For example, appealing a failed placement where your supervisor assessed your performance as inadequate, as your supervisor used their expertise to make the decision. If you fail a placement and are not satisfied with the feedback you receive, you can contact us for advice.
Sometimes what you are disputing might constitute a non-academic complaint rather than an appeal. An academic appeal is a process to challenge an academic decision or a breach in due process in making an academic decision. A complaint, on the other hand, is a way to raise an issue with the faculty or the University over matters such as discrimination, harassment or bullying, or about the quality of teaching or assessment. For more details about these important differences read our article Appeal or complaint? and our article Making a complaint.
Your responsibility | The University's responsibility | |
---|---|---|
Stage 1 Resolution with the original decision-maker | If you are concerned about an academic decision, make an appeal in writing to the relevant decision-maker (usually your unit coordinator). Do this within 15 working days of the decision. The Business School uses an online form to start a Stage 1 appeal. | The relevant decision-maker should deal with the issue promptly and give you a full explanation for the decision. They need to explain the next step in the appeals procedure and refer you to a copy of the Appeals Rule. |
Stage 2 Application for review | If your concerns are not resolved, or you believe there was a failure to follow due process, you may submit an online application for review within 20 working days of the Stage 1 decision. Include your reasons for the review and any support documentation. | The person who receives your application should acknowledge receipt within 3 working days and make reasonable efforts to respond within 15 working days. Be aware that there can be delays. You will be informed of the reasons for the delay and given an estimate for how long your review will take. |
Stage 3 Appeal to Student Appeals Body | If your concerns are still not resolved by the application for review you may submit an appeal to the Student Appeals Body (SAB). Your appeal needs to explain why you believe due process was not followed. SAB appeals must be lodged within 15 working days of the Stage 2 decision. | If you have fulfilled the requirements for an SAB appeal, you will receive confirmation of a hearing date at least 10 working days in advance of an appeal hearing. The written outcome provided after the hearing is the final decision at the University. |
More information
Clear advice on each appeals stage can be found on the University’s academic appeals pages.
Related article:
If you disagree with, or want to understand more about, an academic decision, the first step is to make an appeal directly to the person who made the academic decision.
Key points:
If you are in the Business School, use their informal resolution form to lodge a Stage 1 appeal.
If your appeal is about special consideration, special arrangements, credit or mobility academic decisions, you must make an informal resolution request online. The University website has links to submit your request.
If you are appealing an exam, you should review your exam script before making your appeal. The faculty will schedule exam review times, but if you miss these you may email your unit coordinator to request a review of your exam paper, as long as you make the request within 15 working days of the release of your result. Late requests may be granted by the associate dean, at their discretion.
For appeals against exclusion from a coursework degree we recommend you also read our articles on Show Good Cause and exclusion.
For appeals against termination of a Higher Degree by Research candidature, read our article Show Good Cause and exclusion for HDR students.
For special consideration and special arrangements: you must communicate your concerns to the Student Administration Services team that communicated the original decision to you. This communication must be initiated by you within 15 working days of receiving the outcome of your application.
Informal resolutions are often ways for students to request further feedback about an academic decision, such as a grade. Most unit coordinators are happy to give further feedback but are unlikely to change a mark or grade without being presented with strong reasons.
The relevant decision-maker must respond within 10 working days of receiving your informal appeal. Their response will either confirm the original academic decision or amend the decision in writing. You will also receive a clear explanation of the reasons for the decision.
If you do not receive a response within 10 workings days, you may proceed to stage 2 appeal – application for review. Working days do not include weekends, public holidays, or the University shut-down period.
For final exams/assessments you may not be able to receive a response by your unit coordinator before staff go on holiday or the University closes for the summer break. The important thing is to email your unit coordinator within 15 working days of the decision, as this ensures your appeal is submitted in time regardless of when you receive a response.
If your concerns are not resolved, or you believe there was a failure to follow due process, you may submit an online application for review. Include your reasons for the review and any support documentation.
Your application must be submitted within 20 working days from the date you received the outcome of your informal appeal. Your application should carefully explain your reasons for appealing the academic decision and clearly explain any breaches in due process.
If you would like help writing your application for review, please contact us.
Find instructions on how to submit an application for review on the University website.
The faculty or Student Administrative Services will acknowledge receipt of your application within 3 working days.
The review will consider all relevant information. You should receive a decision within 15 working days from receipt of your application, or you will be informed of the reasons for the delay and be given an estimate of how long your review will take.
If you are late to submit an application for review, the associate dean may grant an extension. Contact us for help to prepare a late application, which should include an explanation for why you are late.
If you believe a decision made by a faculty, school or academic panel was not based on merit, procedurally fair, or made in accordance with all relevant University policies and procedures, local provisions and rules, you may appeal to the Student Appeals Body (SAB).
You must submit your written appeal online within 15 working days of receiving an outcome from your review. If you are late, the Director of Compliance and Student Affairs may extend at their discretion.
For your SAB appeal:
Your appeal will be reviewed by the SAB and they may grant you a hearing if they believe your reasons for appeal meet the eligibility requirements.
If you are not granted a hearing, you may apply for a review of the decision to the Register within 10 working days of receiving the outcome. Your review must be submitted in writing and must clearly outline your reasons for believing the decision was not made in accordance with clause 1.6 of the Student Appeals Rule.
The SAB will notify you, your faculty, school, Academic Panel or relevant HDR examination committee with at least 10 working days’ notice of the date, time and location of your hearing. You have the right to bring a support person to your hearing – this may include a caseworker from SUPRA.
The SAB will provide you with a copy of the faculty, school or Academic Panel’s written response to your appeal 5 working days prior to your scheduled hearing.
We strongly recommend you contact us for advice on preparing for your appeal hearing.
A decision is reached by the SAB panel on a simple majority. Your appeal may be upheld or dismissed.
If your appeal is upheld, the SAB may: refer the decision back to your faculty, Academic Panel or HDR examination committee; make a new decision; or determine no further action will be taken.
If your appeal is dismissed, the decision from your faculty, Academic Panel or HDR examination committee will stand.
You will receive a decision within 20 working days of your hearing. If there is a delay you will be notified.
Information and advice on how to submit your SAB appeal is on the University website.
One external complaint option is to contact the NSW Ombudsman. For local students, recommendations by the NSW Ombudsman are non-binding on the University, but you can usually expect them to be followed. For international students, federal government requirements mean the University is obliged to implement any decision or corrective action the NSW Ombudsman recommends.
The Ombudsman will only investigate complaints on limited types of conduct.
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Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service July 2023.
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