Course Problems

To find answers to the common problems below click on a heading:

Talk to your course tutor, personal tutor or other member of academic staff.
Talk to a second or third year student on your course to see how different it is as the course evolves, perhaps the situation will improve - see the information on this site about staying on the course and making it work for you.
Talk to other students doing the course you think you'd prefer, to find out more about it.
If there are problems with the course that are also affecting other students, talk to your Course Rep about the situation. To find out who your Course Rep is contact the SU Support Service.
Make contact with your course society if there is one - a list is available at /www.ubsu.net/societies/societies. If there isnt one, perhaps consider setting one up!
Make an appointment to see a Careers Counsellor who will be able to offer advice and support on your options, including changing your course.
Read the information provided within this site on course changing.

Contact the placements department or officer from your course - see the contacts database.
Talk to your personal tutor or course leader.
Make an appointment to see a Careers Counsellor who will be able to offer advice and support on your options, including changing your course.

Talk to your course tutor who will advise you of the process to be followed, or enquire at your School Office.
You might be able to apply for an extension to a deadline - depending on your circumstances. For further information see the guidelines set out in the Student Handbook which you will find linked to from the 'support' box (top, right hand corner) on the homepage of Student Central.
If you feel that your performance in an assessment has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control, you may wish to apply for mitigating circumstances. You will need to ensure that this application is submitted to the course Examination Board/Chair of the Examining Board in good time.
See SU Support Service for information on extensions and mitigating circumstances. Contact them on 01273 643532 or email ubsuacademic@brighton.ac.uk

A Course Examination Board has the authority to approve results. You may, in some instances , request a review of an Examination Board decision (an appeal).
If you have received notification of a decision of an Exam Board that you are not happy with and want to challenge or review it, you can appeal. In order to do this you must be able to demonstrate why the mark you are appealing against is unfair, or is not a true representation of your ability.
The full appeals process can be found in your student handbook or in the General Examination & Assessment Regulations (GEAR) Section H.
The SU Support Service has information on the academic appeals proceedure.

The Students’ Union can provide impartial advice and guidance, the information on academic appeals from SU Support Service or contact an academic advisor 01273 643532 or email ubsuacademic@brighton.ac.uk
It may be the case that you need to retake an assessment, module or year - see the information on this site on repeat study
You may be entitled to a Variation of Assessment Method (VOAM) depending on your circumstances - contact your personal tutor or course leader for information on this.
To find out more about variation of assessment method, contact your personal tutor.
The full guidelines regarding 'assessment of students with a disability' are in your student handbook or in the General Examination & Assessment Regulations (GEAR) Section G.
If you have a disability and have not disclosed this to the University there is a limit to the amount of academic support available to you - in terms of extentions or variations to your assessment. You may declare to the University at any time though the sooner the better so that support can be put in place. Contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team in Student Services

Talk to your personal tutor or course leader about the problem
If there are problems with the course that are also affecting other students, talk to your Course Rep about the situation. To find out who your Course Rep is contact the SU Support Service.
Make contact with your course society if there is one - a list is available at /www.ubsu.net/societies/societies. If there isnt one, perhaps consider setting one up!
The University complaints procedure outlines the formal routes for making a complaint against the university or departments within it.
The Students’ Union can provide impartial advice and guidance on many different issues that may affect you during your time studying at Brighton. See the information on complaints from SU Support Service or contact an academic advisor 01273 643532 or email ubsuacademic@brighton.ac.uk
If the issue concerns a member of staff or student, read the Student Guide to bullying and harassment. This is a brief guide to the university's policy on Bullying and Harassment including details of sources for support and guidance, as well as an explaination of how to raise your concerns and feel empowered to take appropriate action.

A student that has been accused of academic misconduct could face disciplinary proceedures which could lead to fail or in serious cases exclusion from the University. The official rules regarding academic misconduct can be found in your student handbook or in the General Examination & Assessment Regulations (GEAR) Section F.
The Students’ Union can provide impartial advice and guidance, it is advisable to contact the SU Support Service in such cases.
- Academic Advisor 01273 643532 or ubsuacademic@brighton.ac.uk
- Vice President Academic Affairs: 01273 643196 or email bsuvpa@brighton.ac.uk

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