Academic Appeals Policy

    • In line with the QAA Quality Code and the OIA Good Practice Framework an academic appeal is defined as a request for the review of a decision of an academic body charged with decisions on student progression, assessment and awards.
    • Academic Appeals Committee (AAC) is a sub-committee of the Academic Board that makes decisions on academic appeals.
    • Decisions which may be appealed via AAC:
    • Exclusion from an examination or assessment;
    • Denied requests for course exemptions, course substitutions, or pre-requisite waivers;
    • Decisions regarding academic misconduct.
    • Grounds for appeal:
    • Mitigating circumstances exist. Mitigating circumstances claims must be supported by medical or other documentary evidence acceptable by the AAC.
    • A procedural irregularity occurred;
    • A decision was manifestly unreasonable or influenced by prejudice or bias, or perception thereof, on the part of the decision-maker(s).
    • Any student using the appeal process to bring frivolous or vexatious matters to the College’s attention will be subject to disciplinary action.
    • Any student found to have provided fraudulent evidence or falsified a claim will be subject to disciplinary action.
    • Appeals require time to be processed correctly. Appeals may result in delays in the confirmation of grades which may have an impact on progression and the timing of the completion of studies/graduation.
    • Information will be used and retained in line with the College Privacy Policy.
    • Students wishing to appeal a decision or result stemming from “Decisions which may be appealed” may do so using the appeals process through the AAC.
    • All students enrolled in courses offered by the College may request reconsideration of any academic matter in which they believe they have been treated unfairly. The College pledges that students studying at all levels have the opportunity to raise matters of concern without the risk of disadvantage.
    • Students must have exhausted the approval routes before entering appeal. They must have documentary evidence of the relevant approval route with the outcomes they are appealing.

    Stage I Internal to ICOPD

    • Appeals must be submitted to the AAC within 5 working days following the decision being appealed using the Academic Appeals Form.
    • Only the student about whom a decision has been made can lodge an appeal against that decision. Appeals from third parties are not accepted.
    • Students cannot normally submit appeals after they have been presented to the College or other relevant Exam Board to ratify their exit award.
    • The AAC secretary will make a determination on administrative grounds whether or not the case can proceed to the AAC. An appeal may not be considered if there is no substantive case for the AAC to hear or if there is no valid remedy open to the AAC.
    • If a case is to be heard by the AAC, a meeting will be scheduled within 10 working days of receipt of a complete appeal. The AAC will normally expect to resolve a case at this meeting, and a decision notice will be sent to the student within 5 working days from the meeting date.
    • All AAC outcomes will be recorded in the reserved minutes of the AAC.
    • All documents and evidence submitted by a student in support of an appeal will be treated with respect for the privacy of the student and will be confidential to those members of staff concerned with the matters raised in the appeal within the College.
    • In the rare event that a formally instituted hearing is deemed to be necessary, this will be held within 15 working days of the receipt of a complete appeal. At this hearing, the student and faculty member may offer explanations of the situation to AAC, and the committee members may ask questions of each. The committee may also call upon other faculty members, staff or students to ask questions of them that will clarify any additional aspects of the case indicated.
    • A student may be accompanied to the meeting by a supporter. The supporter may prompt or provide advice to the student but may not address the hearing committee unless invited to do so by the Chair.
    • The AAC Chair will prepare a written report on the committee’s decision made at the hearing, and a copy of this report will be provided to the student, faculty member, Head of Department and the CEO within 5 working days of the committee hearing. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the stage 1 appeal:
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