UNIVERSITY OF EXETER BUSINESS SCHOOL
EXAMINATIONS
Information for
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Registered on the following degrees:
BA Economics
BA Economics and Econometrics
BA Economics & Finance
BA Business Economics
BA Economics and Politics
BA Leadership and Politics
BA Business and Management
BA Management and Leadership
BA Management with Marketing
BA Management with Tourism
BA Accounting and Finance
BA Business and Accounting
BA Accounting with Leadership
SH Business Studies
SH Accounting Studies
and their counterparts ‘with European Study’, ‘with International
Study’ or ‘with Industrial Experience’.
This booklet supplements the Student Handbook (which is available on
http://business-school.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/student_handbook/) and
specifically details the examination process, important dates, and examination
conventions.
Students should also consult the University’s Examinations Office website, at
http://www.admin.ex.ac.uk/academic/exams/
Candidate Number
You will need your candidate number to obtain any assessment feedback
(including assignment feedback). You can find your candidate number on
SRS (it is 6 digits and is NOT your Uni Card number). Please learn this
number, or note it somewhere safe, you will need it often!
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Contents
Examination Dates, Results Publications, Degree Day
BEFORE AND DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIODS
Guidance for Candidates Link
Examination Timetables
Additional needs
Missing from an examination?
Illness during the examination period
Illness during an examination
Mitigating Circumstances
Conduct during an examination
Dictionaries and Calculators
Avoid cheating and plagiarism
Examination Assessment Procedures (“Conventions”)
RESULTS AND AFTERWARDS
What information is published, and where?/Feedback
If you fail an examination
Appeals
IT Access
Finally
APPENDICIES
Appendix 1 Condonable and Uncondonable Module
Information
Appendix 2 University of Exeter Appeals Information
Page
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
11
11
12
13
15
Please read
All exams are really important to your future regardless or not of whether they are first year
exams or condonable.
We have students who have graduated with good degrees and are now requesting to resit
an exam from their first year because this is affecting their ability to find a job: Unfortunately
the University does not allow this.
Please be diligent in your revision and work hard. It really could affect your future.
Good luck!
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Examination Dates, Results Publications, Degree Day
Semester 1 - Requests for Specific Provision in
Exams
Friday 4th December 2009
Semester 1 - Exam Period
Monday 11th January - Saturday
16th January 2010
Semester 1 - Marks Published
Provisional marks published 15th
February 2010
Note: Due to the change in
Academic year, some marks will
be released up to 6 weeks after
the day of the exam, if your
module is affected, you will be
informed by your lecturer through
WebCT, e-mail or verbally in
lectures.
Semester 2 - Requests for Specific Provision in
Exams
Friday 2nd April 2010
Monday 10th May - Saturday
12th June 2010
Semester 2 - Exam Period
W/C 28th June 2010
Semester 2 - Marks Published
Referred/Deferred - Exam Period
Do not book any holidays over this period until
you have received your results confirming that
you do not have any retakes – University rules
state that you must be available over this period.
Referred/Deferred
Decisions communicated via e-mail to your Exeter
address
These dates and times may be subject to
change.
4
Monday 23rd August - Tuesday
31st August 2010
Wednesday 15th September 2010
University of Exeter Business School
Examination Handbook for Students
2009/0
BEFORE AND DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD
ALL STUDENTS MUST READ THE ‘GUIDANCE FOR CANDIDATES’
ISSUED BY THE EXAMINATIONS OFFICE, ON THE WEB AT
http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/exams/guidance.shtml
Ignorance of the rules is not accepted as an excuse for breaking them!
Examination timetables
Your personal examination timetable will be available on-line from the
Examinations Office website.
You will be informed by the Examinations Office when these will be available.
Problems with your on-line Exams timetable: Go to the Examinations
Office, Room 153 Northcote House, NOT to the Business School Student
Service Centre.
Additional Needs
If you have additional needs:
 Discuss these with the Disability Resource Centre (DRC)
 The DRC will inform the Examinations office
 Check your timetable to ensure that the appropriate measures have
been put in place
 These arrangements are carried forward from one year to the next, you
do not need to reapply.
 Deadlines to apply for additional needs:
o Semester 1 - Friday 4th December 2009
o Semester 2 – Friday 2nd April 2010
Dyslexic students:
You may print the word ‘DYSLEXIC’ on the cover sheet of each examination
paper. You will not be penalised for poor spelling or handwriting so long as
your meaning is clear.
Missing from an examination?


The School will no longer be contacted if you do not turn up for an exam,
so we will not be able to contact you. Double check your alarm clock is
set!
If you suddenly realise you are late, call us first - 01392-725611 - we may
be able to help.
Intentionally Missing an Exam:
 If you have mitigating circumstances, submit the mitigation and the
Board of Examiners may agree to defer you (see page 6).
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
If you do not have a good reason for missing the exam, the Board
may conclude that you have voluntarily withdrawn from the
programme and you may be asked the leave the University.
(Section 3.2:
http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%208/8Eugexams2.
pdf)
Illness during the examination period
If you are too ill to take an examination you must:
 See a doctor as soon as possible
 Obtain a medical certificate explaining your absence and send it to
Student Services Centre, Business School
 Contact Student Services on 01392 725611
If you are prevented by injury to be able to write your exams:
 Obtain a medical certificate and send it to Student Services Centre,
Business School, as soon as possible
 You may be required to defer until the referred/deferred exam period
Failure to submit suitable medical evidence may result in mitigation not
being applied and thus the module being failed. You must submit the
mitigation form as soon as you are able to (please see below regarding
retrospective mitigation).
Illness during an examination
If you feel so ill during an examination that you cannot continue, you must:
 Inform the exam official before leaving the room
 Go straight to the Student Health Centre, however ill you feel. This is
very important. (Or your own doctor if you live locally)
 Ask the Student Health Centre to write to the School on your behalf
Failure to submit medical evidence may result in mitigation not being
applied and the module being failed. You must submit the mitigation
form as soon as you are able to (please see below regarding
retrospective mitigation).
‘Mitigating Circumstances’
As well as illness before or during an examination, you may wish to have
other mitigating circumstances brought to the attention of the examiners.
What counts as ‘mitigating circumstances’?


Documented illness or personal problems which have prevented you
completing your work or revision for the module in question
Injury which makes writing an exam difficult for you.
If you have any personal problems throughout the year which you feel may
affect your revision or performance, please speak to your personal tutor or
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Student Services who will then advise whether you should apply for
mitigation.
What happens if you submit mitigating evidence





Confidentiality is maintained throughout.
The information does not go to the person marking your exam, but to a
School Mitigation Committee, who will advise the Board of Examiners.
No action will be taken now; any recommendation by the Mitigation
committee will be considered at the June Board. Consideration of
mitigating evidence for second-year students is postponed to the finalists’
Board unless it affects progression to the following year.
Producing mitigating evidence does not necessarily mean that your marks
will be raised.
You will not be informed of the mitigation recommendations, unless the
result is for the assessment to be deferred.
Deadlines
If you have any mitigating circumstances not currently on file, please contact
the Student Services Centre. The deadline for submitting mitigation will be
communicated via e-mail.
Any incident during the exams themselves should be notified to the Student
Services Centre (01392 725611) as soon as possible.
Retrospective Mitigation
The School cannot accept evidence of mitigation after the deadlines.
Please ensure all mitigation evidence is supplied in advance of the
deadlines.
Conduct during an examination
You are reminded that there are strict regulations about your conduct in an
examination. Please read these:
http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/exams/guidance.shtml
Any breach of these regulations, may result in your expulsion from the
Examinations hall.
Dictionaries and Calculators
Dictionaries
Please remember that no dictionaries are allowed into Business School
exams. This includes International students wishing to use a Foreign
Language – English Dictionary.
(a) students were deemed, by virtue of their language qualification on
entry, to be able to cope with the English language
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(b) the use of a dictionary is more likely to slow down students rather than
assist them
In light of this change, all exam papers have been checked for clear,
unambiguous wording.
Any student found using a dictionary in a Business School exam may be
expelled from the Examinations hall.
Calculators
Please ensure your calculator has been authorised by the Student Service
Centre at least 24 hours in advance of your exams.
The approved list for calculators is available at:
http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/businessschool/information_for_students/calculators/
These are the only calculators which will be authorised for use in Business
School Exams.
You can purchase or hire some calculators from Student Services. You will
receive separate communication regarding this.
DO NOT LEAVE IT TO THE LAST MINUTE!!!
The Student Service Centre is open 9.30-4.30 Monday to Friday.
Avoid cheating and plagiarism
May we remind students that any evidence of cheating will be dealt with
according to University procedures. In particular, students who are found to
have taken additional, unauthorised, material into an examination will be
severely disciplined.
Quotations will need to be referenced in exams. Please refer to the
Plagiarism section (page 31) in your handbook: http://businessschool.exeter.ac.uk/documents/handbooks/undergraduate_student_handbook
/complete.doc if you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism.
Examination Assessment Procedures (“Conventions”)
Please read the conventions which can be found at:
http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/businessschool/information_for_students/information_for_undergraduates/assessment
_procedures/
It is really important that you understand these conventions, so if you do have
any questions please come to the Student Service Centre.
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RESULTS AND AFTERWARDS
What information is published, and where?/Feedback
Semester 1
 You will be contacted about when and how marks for semester 1 will be
published.

The marks remain provisional until June, and may go up or down as a
result of a decision by the external examiner.
Semester 2

Due to the change in the Academic Year structure, we will be unable to
release our results before the end of term due to the number of students in
the Business School. Therefore, we will only be releasing marks via SRS
in 2010 and will not display any result information on the noticeboards.

A polite request: The Student Service Centre will be working extremely
hard to let you have these results as soon as possible, please be patient in
this difficult time.
Process for viewing exam papers:
In line with the School’s policy on availability of feedback on assessed work,
any student who wishes to discuss the outcome of an exam paper should
follow the procedure outlined below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Office.
The student contacts the academic in advance to arrange/notify of
meeting to discuss exam paper, normally during published office hours
The academic member of staff signs out the exam script from the
relevant office (UGSSC / PGSSC)
Feedback is given during meeting.
The academic returns the exam script (and signs it back in) to the
Approved by LTC
22 June 2009
If you fail an examination
Definitions:

Referred Exam – a second attempt at an exam. The mark is capped at
40%.

Deferred Exam – an exam taken for the first time for a student who was
unable to take it on the original date. The mark is not capped.
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
Uncondonable Module (also known as non-condonable) – A module
which has to be passed in order to progress onto the next stage of the
degree (List of uncondonable modules found in appendix 1)

Condonable Module – A module which can be failed as part of the
condonement rules, but allows you to progress, provided that:
o You have not failed more than 30 credits in the year, and
o Your average for the year is 40% or more
If you meet these conditions, you will NOT be allowed to retake a failed
condonable module.
I have failed an “uncondonable/non-condonable” module: You are
automatically entitled to a referral in August/September. You will be
contacted via e-mail. If you do not hear anything by mid July, you MUST
contact the Student Services Centre.
I have failed a “condonable” module: You will be informed whether you will
be referred in this module after the June Exam Board and this will depend on
your average and what else you have failed. If you are informed that you will
need to retake this module, but you do not hear anything by mid July, you
MUST contact the Student Service Centre. Please note the referred/deferred
period and ensure that you check your e-mails for further details.
I have failed an element of a module but passed the module overall: You
have passed the module, you need not do anything further.
I have to retake a module and have failed both the exam and essay
element of a module: You will be informed whether:
 you will be required to take the exam only, which will count for 100%
 You will need to take the exam and resubmit the original essay
question
 You will need to take the exam and will be set a new coursework
question
This information will be provided via e-mail. Please check your e-mails
regularly and you MUST contact the Student Service Centre if you have not
heard anything by mid-July.
I have done much worse that I expected/hoped. I would like to retake
the year: You are not permitted to repeat the year in the hope to improve
marks. This is non-negotiable.
I am a finalist and I have failed a final examination (or had to defer it): As
long as you have passed 300 credits, you may still be able to attend the
Degree Ceremony in July and obtain an ordinary degree. You will then take
the exam in the referred/deferred exam period, and obtain a classified degree
if you pass it. Full information will be available nearer the time.
Referred/Deferred Exams

Please ensure that you will be available for the Referred/Deferred Period =
Monday 23rd August - Tuesday 31st August 2010 (We would advise that
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you do not book any holidays over this period until you have received your
official results at the end of the summer term).

You will be notified of the timetable in mid July. If you know you have to
retake an exam and do not hear anything by mid July – you MUST contact
the Student Services Centre.
I would like to take my referred/deferred exam abroad: You will normally
be eligible to sit referred/deferred examinations in the country of your
residence, if you are domiciled in the country in which you wish to sit your
examinations, or if you are fulfilling your course requirements abroad.
Candidates taking holidays abroad or non course-related work are NOT
eligible to sit their examinations abroad.
For more information, please see:
http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/exams/sitting.shtml
I have failed my referred exam: You will be contacted by e-mail to tell you
what to do. You are not automatically entitled to repeat the year; this is
granted by the Faculty of Undergraduate Studies and only when sufficient
mitigation evidence has been received. The Board of Examiners will look to
see whether there are any suitable options available to you, but in some
cases there are no options and students are deemed withdrawn.
I have failed my deferred exam: You will be contacted by e-mail to discuss
the situation and the options available.
I was unable to take my referred/deferred exam: You must contact the
Student Services Centre immediately where you will be given individual help
and advice. If there was no reason to miss the exam, or the reason is not
adequate, the school may deem you withdrawn as per University regulations:
(Section 3.2:
http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%208/8Eugexams2.pdf)
Appeals
If you are unhappy with a decision which has been made, you are entitled to
appeal the decision, but please be aware that you must submit your appeal by
the deadline and this is a very tight deadline.
Please see the Appeals Procedure in Appendix 2 for details.
IT Access
If you lose your IT access throughout the year, it is YOUR responsibility for
ensuring that you find out when exams are and whether you have progressed
or are required to take any retakes.
We will not accept loss of IT as an excuse for not attending exams or
submitting coursework.
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Finally




Look out for revision classes via the notice boards, e-mail and WebCT
Look out for Examination Skills workshops run by the Study Skills unit
Read all e-mails which are sent to you as they may have important
changes which you will need to know
Good luck to you all!
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Appendix 1
Condonable and Uncondonable Module Information
Uncondonable modules are either the chief core module in the year, or a
module which is a prerequisite for a core module in the following year.
Business School programmes tend to build on core modules from one year to
the next more than programmes in other schools.
It is possible for a module to be condoned for a student on one programme
but not for a student on a different programme.
Students on SH Accounting and Finance/SH Business and Accounting have
to pass all modules at 40% or more, because of the requirements of the
accreditation bodies. No condonement is permitted, even in non-accounting
modules.
UNCONDONABLE MODULES
The following modules have been deemed ‘uncondonable’ by the School.
That means that the rules of condonement will not apply to these modules,
and students must pass the module at 40% or more before being permitted to
progress to the following year.
Note:
(1) Students on SH Accounting and Finance and SH Business and
Accounting must pass ALL their papers in order to comply with the
requirements of the professional bodies offering exemptions from
professional examinations.
(2) There are no uncondonable modules on SH Business Studies.
(3) There are no uncondonable modules in the final year (apart from (1)
above).
YEAR 1
Degree programme
(including ‘with European
Study’ variants)
SH Economics
SH Economics with
Econometrics
SH Economics and Finance
SH Business Economics
SH Business and
You must pass:
BEE 1029 Economic Principles
BEE 1023 Introduction to Econometrics
BEE 1024 Maths for Economists
BEE 1029 Economic Principles
BEE 1023 Introduction to Econometrics
BEE 1024 Maths for Economists
BEE1012 Introduction to Finance
BEE 1029 Economic Principles
BEM 1007 Theory of Management
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Management
SH Management with
Leadership
SH Economics and Politics
SH Management with
Marketing
SH Management with
Tourism
BEA 1006 Accounting 1
BEA 1007 Accounting 2
CLS 1001 Leadership and Teams
CLS 1002 Introduction to Leadership
BEE 1029 Economic Principles
BEE 1014 State and Economy
BEM1007 Theory of Management
BEM1015 Marketing and Society
BEM 1007 Theory of Management
BEM 1012 Introduction to Tourism
BEM 1013 Business and Tourism
SH Leadership and Politics
CLS 1001 Leadership and Teams
CLS 1002 Introduction to Leadership
SH Accounting with
Leadership
BEA 1006 Accounting 1
BEA 1007 Accounting 2
CLS 1001 Leadership and Teams
YEAR 2
Degree programme
SH Economics
SH Economics with
Econometrics
SH Business Economics
SH Economics and Politics
SH Economics and
Finance
SH Business and
Management
SH Management with
Leadership
SH Management and
Marketing
SH Management with
Tourism
You must pass:
BEE 2016/2017 Intermediate Micro 1 and 2
BEE 2018/2019 Intermediate Macro 1 and 2
BEE 2016 Intermediate Micro 1
BEE 2018 Intermediate Macro 1
BEE 2020 Introduction to Econometric Theory
BEE 2016 Intermediate Micro 1
BEE 2018 Intermediate Macro 1
BEE 2016 Intermediate Micro 1
BEE 2018 Intermediate Macro 1
BEE 3016 IAPM
BEM 2013 Principles of Marketing
BEM 2004 OBHRM
BEM 2007 Operations Management
(commencing 2010/11)
BEM 2016 Consumer Behaviour
CLS 2001 Foundations of Leadership
CLS 2003 Leadership in Action
BEM 2004 OBHRM
BEM 2013 Principles of Marketing
BEM 2004 OBHRM
BEM 2012 Managing the Tourism
Environment
BEM 2017 International Tourism Management
SH Leadership and Politics
POL2052 Foreign Policy: Leadership, Power and
Responsibility
CLS2001 Foundations of Leadership
SH Accounting with
Leadership
BEA 2006 Management Accounting
BEA2007 Accounting Models for Management
Decisions
CLS 2001 Foundations of Leadership
BEA 2001 Financial Accounting 1
SH Accounting Studies
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Appendix 2
University of Exeter Appeals Information
Calendar 2009/2010
H PROCEDURES RELATING TO STUDENT ACADEMIC APPEALS
Contents and Search
[Procedures for Partner Institutions: All partner institutions delivering
programmes validated by the University of Exeter are required to follow the
procedures below, except that 'Head of School' shall be taken to mean Head
of the academic unit concerned, who shall keep the Principal of the partner
institution informed.]
1
Introduction
1.1
Students have a right of appeal against academic decisions and
recommendations made by Boards of Examiners1 and Faculty Boards
(or Deans acting on their behalf) that affect their academic progress.
These procedures set out the grounds of appeal permitted and the
mechanisms by which that right can be exercised. These procedures
also set out the grounds on which an academic appeal is not
permissible.
1.2
Complaints relating to the quality of teaching or supervision, or other
circumstances that relate to the delivery of a programme of study
before the point of assessment or the submission of a thesis or
dissertation, are not subject to these procedures. They should instead
be raised under the University's student complaints procedure.
1.3
These procedures describe how students may submit an academic
appeal to the University and the grounds under which they may do so.
It is important for students to distinguish between those grounds when
making their case and also between an appeal and a complaint (for
which different procedures are in place). If after discussing an appeal
with a School or academic unit a student is still in doubt over any matter
relating to an intended appeal, advice may be sought from the following
offices:

Academic Policy and Student Administration, Northcote House

Advice Unit, Students' Guild, Devonshire House

Academic Support Unit, Cornwall Campus
1.4
Academic appeals come under the authority of the Senate of the
University. Senate has delegated others to act on its behalf in such
matters. These procedures explain how appeals should be submitted,
and who will consider academic appeals on behalf of Senate.
1.5
Staff named in these procedures may also delegate responsibility for
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managing the Academic Appeals procedure to other University staff
acting on their behalf.
1.6
Appeals will be treated with due diligence and confidentiality, but you
should understand that those considering an appeal will normally
require access to the documentation presented in support of it in order
to come to an informed decision.
1.7
You should appreciate that appeals will not always produce the
outcome preferred. However, whatever the decision, you will be
informed of the result of a formal appeal and the reasons for it.
1.8
If your academic appeal is of a particularly sensitive nature, and you
would like to make some early enquiries on a confidential basis, please
contact the Guild's Student Advice Centre or the relevant Faculty
Office, which may be able to offer you advice.
2
Right of Appeal
2.1
Appeals may be made in respect of the following areas relating to the
process of assessment:
2.2

a formal assessment result2

a degree classification

a decision consequential to an academic failure (e.g. termination
of registration)

decision consequential to unsatisfactory academic progress

Postgraduate research students may also appeal against a
decision relating to their registration status, such as transfer to
continuation status, change of mode of study, early submission
of thesis etc.
For the following areas of potential dispute, separate procedures apply:

equal opportunities

protection of dignity at work and study

complaints (see para 4.3 below)
2.3
The submission of an appeal will not be to the detriment of your
academic position.
3
Grounds of Appeal
3.1
Grounds of appeal in relation to the areas listed under para 2.1 above
are allowed as follows:
(a) Material circumstances affecting your performance of which a Board
of Examiners or the Board of the Faculty (or the Dean acting on its
behalf) had not been aware before reaching its decision, only if you can
present reasonable grounds why such circumstances had not been
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presented to the Board in advance of its meeting (see 5.3); and/or
(b) Procedural irregularities in the formal conduct of an assessment or
in reaching another academic decision; and/or
(c) Evidence of prejudice or of bias on the part of one or more
examiners and/or markers.
4
Exclusions from Appeal
4.1
The following grounds cannot be considered as the basis for an appeal:
(a) Dissatisfaction with the academic judgment of the internal and
external examiners and/or markers including the Board of Examiners
(see 4.2);
(b) Dissatisfaction with the formative assessment of work by academic
staff (i.e. marks that have no bearing on a student's formal progress).
Such concerns should be raised through the Complaints Procedure;
(c) Matters of dispute that are dealt with under the student complaints
procedure (see also 4.3).
4.2
The inclusion of an independent element in the assessment of work
through internal second marking (or single marking and moderation
internally or externally) is normally sufficient to refute the argument that
there have been inadequate checks on the accuracy and
appropriateness of the marking, and to preclude an appeal on the
ground of prejudice and bias.
4.3
You should note that complaints relating to the quality of teaching or
supervision, or other circumstances that relate to the delivery of a
programme of study before the point of assessment or the submission
of a thesis or dissertation, are not subject to these procedures. They
should instead be raised under the University's student complaints
procedure.
4.4
Academic appeals submitted outside of the timeframe set out in 6.1 will
normally be excluded from consideration unless you can present
reasonable grounds for why the appeal was not submitted within the
normal deadline.
4.5
You should be aware that anyone making unwarranted and
unsubstantiated allegations concerning the reputation or conduct of
members of staff may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
5
Responsibilities of Students
5.1
You should note with care the time constraints outlined in these
procedures. You are responsible for compiling documentation in
support of an appeal.
5.2
It is your responsibility to inform your Head(s) of School 3 or academic
unit concerned in writing and without delay of any circumstances that
you think may have affected your performance in an assessment.
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Please refer to the procedures for submission of mitigating evidence
provided by your School. Circumstances notified in this way will be
considered at the appropriate Board of Examiners or by any group of
examiners delegated by the Board to make judgements on its behalf.
5.3
You are reminded that under the University's procedures for the
disclosure of assessment results, you have access to your marks
through your Schools under prescribed conditions4. General feedback
on your performance should be offered by the School, thereby possibly
reassuring you of the appropriateness of the outcome of an
assessment.
6
STAGE 1: APPEAL TO HEAD OF SCHOOL
6.1
An formal appeal must be submitted using the Academic Appeal Form
to the Head of School (or their representative5 within 10 working days of
being notified of an academic decision relating to paragraph 2.1. Where
possible you should indicate what remedy you seek.
6.2
Schools should normally aim to resolve an academic appeal within 4
working weeks of receipt of the appeal, or otherwise inform you of the
expected delay.
6.3
On receipt of the appeal the Head of School or nominated
representative shall decide whether you have presented a prima facie
case for appeal as set out under 3.1. Should an appeal materially
involve the Head of School, another senior member of staff of the
School will consider the case.
6.4
If no prima facie grounds for appeal are found, the Head of School or
their representative can dismiss the appeal, informing you in writing of
the reasons for doing so. A copy of the letter will be forwarded to the
relevant Faculty Office.
6.5
If the Head of School/representative decides that there is a prima facie
case for appeal, the case will be investigated by a School appeal panel
consisting of the Head of School, the School Administrator and Chair of
the Board of Examiners (or other nominees as delegated by the Head
of School/representative). The majority of the panel should not be
materially involved in the substance of the appeal.
6.6
If the panel upholds the appeal, the case will normally be referred back
to the Board of Examiners or appropriate School committee (such as
Mitigation Committee). In this case, Schools should follow their normal
procedures for considerations by the Board of Examiners, including
involvement of External Examiners where appropriate6. In most cases,
this could be achieved via electronic means. Care should be taken to
ensure student confidentiality and equity in the treatment of marks.
6.7
The Head of School will normally inform you of the outcome of the
Board of Examiner's consideration, and this will be reported to the
appropriate Dean via the Academic Policy and Standards Office.
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7
STAGE 2: ACADEMIC APPEAL COMMITTEE
7.1
An appeal will only be accepted where:
(a) you submit further material circumstances which could not
reasonably have been expected to have been submitted for
consideration to a School appeal panel during the Stage 1 process;
(b) if there is evidence of procedural irregularity during the Stage 1
process;
(c) if there is evidence of bias during the Stage 1 process;
(d) if the decision reached during the Stage 1 process is one that no
reasonable body (properly directing itself, and taking into account all
relevant factors) could have arrived at.
7.2
You should submit a Stage 2 Appeal to the Director of Academic
Services by sending an Academic Appeal Form together with a written
statement detailing the grounds for appeal (reference Paragraph 9.1)
within 10 working days of being notified of a Stage 1 Academic Appeal
decision.
7.3
The University should normally aim to resolve an academic appeal
within 4 working weeks of receipt of the appeal, or otherwise inform you
of the expected delay.
7.4
The Director of Academic Services (or nominee) and a Dean past or
present (or nominee) will consider whether there are prima facie
grounds for considering the case before a Committee of Academic
Appeal.
7.5
If no prima facie grounds for appeal are found, the Director of Academic
Services (or nominee) and Dean (or nominee) will dismiss the appeal,
informing you in writing of the reasons for doing so.
7.6
If it is decided that there are prima facie grounds for a stage 2 appeal,
the Academic Registrar (or nominee) will arrange for a (non standing)
Academic Appeal Committee to be convened.
7.7
Academic Appeals Committees will normally only consider the appeal
against the grounds specified in 7.1 and will not take the form of a rehearing of the original appeal except in so far as is necessary to decide
the merit of the appeal.
8
ACADEMIC APPEAL COMMITTEE PROTOCOL
8.1
An Academic Appeal Committee shall comprise:

A Dean present or past (or nominee), who shall chair the
Committee;

An academic member of Senate;

A Guild Executive Officer.
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No person shall serve as a member of the Academic Appeal Committee
who is also associated with your School and/or programme of study.
8.2
You will be informed of the date of the meeting of the Committee
meeting at least 10 working days in advance. You may choose to
appear before the Committee but the Committee may also hear a case,
by mutual agreement in your absence.
8.3
You may be accompanied by a colleague or friend, normally a member
of the University or partner institution. You must inform the secretary of
the Committee of the name of anyone you wish to accompany you at
least 5 working days before the meeting. The person accompanying
you may speak on your behalf with the agreement of the Chair.
8.4
The Committee will also invite the Head of School or academic unit (or
appropriate representative) and may call other members of the
University or partner institution. The Committee may also consider
written comment by the External Examiners made during the examining
process or in response to a direct enquiry by the Committee.
8.5
Copies of all documents to be considered will be circulated to you and
to the Appeal Committee at least five working days before the meeting.
Such documentation will normally comprise the original notice of
appeal, papers relevant to the appeal's earlier consideration by the
School and the reasons of the Dean and Director of Academic Services
for referring the case to the Committee.
8.6
The meeting will commence with private discussions within the Appeal
Committee to clarify matters of process. Both you, the person
accompanying you and the Head of School (or their nominee) may then
attend throughout the duration of the hearing.
8.7
First you, and then the Head of School and will be asked to give a
statement about the case, and to answer any questions from the
Committee. Then any other members of academic or other staff
implicated in the appeal will be interviewed in turn by the Committee.
8.8
You, the person accompanying you and the Head of School will then be
asked to leave while the Committee considers its decision. The
Committee, having considered the evidence, may uphold or reject the
appeal, such a decision being final.
Such a decision may include a recommendation to annul a decision of
the Board of Examiners and substitute it with an alternative decision. If
the Committee's recommendation is to change an award this will
require Senate approval.
8.9
The Academic Appeal Committee will keep a record of its deliberations
and decisions and submit a report to Senate. The Secretary of the
Committee will notify you in writing of the Committee's decision and the
reasons for it, within five working days of the meeting.
8.10 If an appeal is upheld by the Academic Appeal Committee, you can
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apply to the Director of Academic Services for the reimbursement of
reasonable and proportionate incidental expenses incurred by the
appeal (excluding fees for any legal advice).
9
Completion of the University's Academic Appeal Process
9.1
There are no other University appeal procedures beyond those stages
detailed above. If you are not satisfied with the outcome after the
completion of the University's procedure, you can apply to the Office of
the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education7
10
Annual Report
10.1 Each year a report will be prepared for the appropriate Faculty Boards
and Senate by Professional Services, detailing general matters or
issues arising from recent academic appeals.
1 For
ease of reference, the term 'Board of Examiners' will be applied
throughout the document as referring to the appropriate committee dealing
with the appeal within the examination process. It will therefore encompass,
for the purpose of these procedures only, other appropriate committees such
as Consequences Boards, Postgraduate Boards, Mitigation Committees or
other appropriate School Committees.
2Assessments
subject to these procedures are those that contribute to the
award of credit and/or progression.
3
In the case of the Flexible Combined Honours Degree, the role of the Head
of School under these procedures shall be assumed by the Director of the
Flexible Combined Honours Degree.
4
See TQA Manual: http://www.admin.ex.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/disclos4.htm
5
In the case of a combined honours or inter-disciplinary single honours
programme, the receiving Head of School will forward a copy to any other
involved parties. In case of the Flexible Combined Honours Degree, the
Director of the Flexible Combined Honours Degree will contact Schools
responsible for relevant modules.
6
See TQA Manual:
http://www.admin.ex.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/exambrds.htm
7 See
http://www.oiahe.org.uk
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