Academic Appeals @ Teesside University Students' Union

The Early Resolution stage refers to the informal process of the Academic Appeal Regulations. This process allows students who are within the 15-day appeal period, and have clear grounds and evidence, to have their case considered by a senior member of staff within their school.

The process is straightforward and much quicker than the formal stage, allowing students to self-represent through this stage should they wish. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an Early Resolution Stage Appeal:

1. Complete the Early Resolution Appeal Statement Template a. Email suss@tees-su.org.uk if you do not have the template.

Select which category you are appealing under (see ‘Appeal Categories’ below for more information) This can be one or both categories.
Explain your circumstances – Give as much information as possible, including which module and assessment you are appealing. Fully explain why and how your academic ability was impacted by the circumstances.
Include relevant details such as dates and module/assessment names. Keep your explanation clear and concise! Use a timeline to explain if your circumstance is complex.
Explain any reasons why you were unable to apply for mitigating circumstances at the time, including any attempts to access support, such as emailing tutors etc.
Be clear about what outcome you would prefer, this may be a reassessment opportunity, restudy of the year or module, or in some cases a remark of the assessment.

2. Gather your Evidence

All appeals must be supported by evidence. (see ‘Evidence’ section below for more information)
Ensure your evidence is timely and covers all or part of the assessment period you are appealing for. Evidence which relates to a different time period is not relevant and will not be considered.
Ensure your evidence is independent, such as Doctor or Counsellor’s letter; letters from friends or relatives will not be accepted.
As appeals need to be emailed in, electronic versions of evidence are preferred, this can be screenshots or photos of letters.
In your statement explain what the evidence shows and how this relates to your appeal.

3. Submit you appeal

You must submit your appeal within 15 days of the date your ratified marks were released
Each school has their own email address where Early Resolution Appeals are to be sent:

SHLS: shls-enquiries@tees.ac.uk TUIBS: tubs-enquiries@tees.ac.uk

SCEDT: scedt-enquiries@tees.ac.uk SSSHL: scedt-enquiries@tees.ac.uk

SACI: saci-school@tees.ac.uk Student and Library Services: Studentlife@tees.ac.uk

After submitting your appeal, an investigating officer will be assigned to your case, they have up to 20 days to decide an outcome.

It may be that a meeting is requested for you to discuss your case with the investigating officer, this is standard process and allows for any necessary clarification. The meeting will be informal and usually via teams. At this meeting it may be that a decision is made, if not, you will be emailed with the outcome shortly after.

If the outcome is not what you had hoped for and you would like to proceed with the formal stage of the appeal process, please contact suss@tees-su.org.uk to speak with an adviser.

Appeal Categories:

Incapacity: This refers to cases where a student has been ‘incapacitated’ in that there has been something unexpected and out of their control in their personal life which has impacted their ability to perform academically. For example, illness, bereavement, a car accident/breakdown on the way to an exam. The student must also be able to explain why they were unable to apply for Mitigating Circumstances at the time.

Procedural Error: This refers to any circumstance whereby the University has not followed procedure. For example, tutors not providing timely feedback or responses to emails, the marking process not being adhered to or exam conditions not being suitable.

What are not acceptable grounds?

Questioning academic judgement – This means questioning the mark you have received because you feel it should be different. For example, you feel you put more effort into the piece of work and the mark you have received does not reflect this, or you believe you followed all the feedback given but your mark hasn’t improved.

- This is not permitted as the University has a rigorous and thorough marking process, whereby assessments are marked twice internally, as well as being externally moderated by an external examiner. This ensures consistency and regularity across the University’s marking practices.

Evidence:

Evidence supplied must be relevant and independent, and must be clearly dated during the assessment period. A list of some acceptable types of evidence is below. The following list is not exhaustive but gives some examples of what is acceptable:

GP/Doctor/Consultant letter

Hospital/Doctor/medical appointment letter

Diagnosis report/letter

Court/legal documents

Counselling/therapy documents

Housing/repossession/eviction notice

Death certificate/obituary/funeral notice