Problems with your course

Mitigating circumstances and extensions to deadline

The University recognises the difficulties and hardships faced by students as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have listened to student concerns, and to ensure that you are not disadvantaged in your studies we’ve introduced a second phase of measures known as our Safety Net which provides flexibility and choice. The term Safety Net refers to a range of measures which go beyond the No Detriment Policy which was in place last academic year.

As part of the Safety Net, generic mitigation will be in place for academic year 2020/21. Any non-submitted, failed or missed assessment will be deemed to have upheld mitigating circumstances by the Examination Board, and in most cases you will be granted another opportunity to submit work without penalty (a deferral) during the usual referral period.

If your difficulties are short-term and occur close to a coursework submission deadline you may apply for an extension to deadline. An extension to deadline grants you extra time to complete your assignment without any negative impact on your marks. Without an extension, a late submission of work (i.e. handing in the work within two weeks after the submission deadline) carries an automatic penalty and the mark for the work will be capped at the module pass mark of 40% (undergraduate) or 50% (postgraduate), so it is imperative that you apply for an extension in advance of the submission deadline. 

If you have experienced difficulties and feel that your ratified (agreed by an Examination Board) module mark is unrepresentative you may apply for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance within 14 calendar days of receiving your results. An upheld claim for mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance means factors that have an impact on your ability to study, complete coursework or take exams are taken into consideration by an examination board. The likely outcome is that you will be given another attempt at demonstrating that you meet the Learning Outcomes by completing a new piece of work. There may be modules, e.g. placements, where another assessment attempt is not possible. You will need to complete a mitigating circumstances form to make an application, referring to accompanying guidance. 

To request consideration for an extension to deadline or mitigating circumstances for unrepresentative performance you must submit an application through your School Administration Office. You may find it helpful to compile and submit supporting documentation alongside your claim form, but all claims will be reviewed whether supporting documentation is available or not. Your School Office will be able to advise you on the process and give you information about how and when decisions are made. In either case, it is better to seek help early so that you can get the support you need. 

If you are experiencing difficulties and would like to discuss this further, we encourage you to reach out to one of our support services, such as your Personal Academic Tutor, a Student Support and Guidance Tutor, the Brighton Students' Union, or your Course/ Module Leader. If you have a Learning Support Plan you should seek advice from the Disability and Dyslexia Team.

 Further information can be found in the regulations section of the Student Contract.

Errors or queries about your marks, or the assessment process, before an Examination Board meets

At any point during the academic year and up to the time that an Examination Board meets, you are encouraged to speak to your Course Leader, School Quality Lead or School Office to discuss your concerns regarding a provisional mark (i.e. a mark that has not been approved and confirmed by an Examination Board) including where you feel that this has been incorrectly recorded.

Where such a concern arises, the Course Leader or School Quality Lead will undertake such actions as to check the provisional assessment outcome and notify the student of their findings. Students should note that marking errors (e.g. ‘slips’ such as transposition or arithmetic errors) may be rectified prior to an Examination Board if an error is acknowledged by the academic school.

Results review

Once your marks have been ratified (i.e. confirmed by the Course Examination Board), should you have any queries relating to your results, you have up to 14 calendar days from receipt of your results to contact your School Office and request a Results Review.

You should state clearly why you have a concern and what you expect the outcome to be. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Results Review, you will have a further 21 calendar days to submit a formal Stage 1 Appeal.

Academic appeals

An academic appeal is a formal request to the university to ask an Examination Board to look again at its decision. This might concern your degree classification, a single piece of work or a whole module. It might also concern your ‘progression’, which means a decision about whether you continue to the next stage of your degree, are asked to repeat a module or are asked to leave the university.

Read our regulations on Academic Appeals.

If you are considering making an academic appeal, the Brighton Students’ Union can offer advice and guidance. Please contact them at bsusupportservice@brighton.ac.uk or telephone 01273 642876 for a confidential conversation about your options. This does not commit you to bringing an appeal unless you decide to go ahead.

Appeal documents

• Academic appeals (pdf)
• Stage 1 Academic Appeal Form (.docx)
• Stage 2 Academic Appeal Form (.docx)
• Stage 1 formal appeal guidance (pdf)
• Stage 2 appeal outcome review guidance (pdf)

How do I appeal?

You must use the Stage 1 Form and accompanying guidance provided for this purpose, which you can download here or obtain from the BSU. You must appeal within 21 calendar days from receipt of your results, or within 21 calendar days of the conclusion of your school’s Results Review. You need to follow the guidance instructions carefully and you must attach evidence in support of your appeal. If you are still awaiting evidence and cannot provide this within the deadline of 21 calendar days, you should submit your appeal form together with a rationale explaining why you have not been able to submit on time and a note explaining what further evidence is awaited and when it will be received. You have a maximum of 14 calendar days to submit this evidence.

What if I am not happy with the outcome of the Stage 1 Formal Appeal?

If you are not happy with the outcome, you should read the Appeals Regulations carefully and get advice from the SU to see whether to request a Stage 2 Review of Appeal Decision. To do this, you will need to complete the Stage 2 Appeal Form, referring to the accompanying guidance and submit to academicappeals@brighton.ac.uk.

Academic Appeal Panel meeting dates

• 16 October 2020
• 29 October 2020
• 23 November 2020
• 10 December 2020

What if I am not happy with the Stage 2 Review of Appeal Decision?

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Stage 2 Review of Appeal Decision, you have the right to submit a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (‘OIA’), the time limit for so doing, and further advice and support may be obtained from the Brighton Students’ Union.

Problems that should be raised as a Complaint and not an Academic Appeal

If you have a problem with the service delivery of the university, whether this relates to quality of teaching and course materials, supervision or if you think you are a victim of bias or prejudice, you should raise the issue via the Complaints Resolution Procedure, which will enable a proper investigation to be carried out. You should raise this in the first instance with one of your school Complaints Officers, but if the matter cannot be resolved to your satisfaction within 7-14 days, you should bring a formal Stage 1 Complaint.

See the section below: How to make a complaint.

Contact Details

Students’ Union website

Please note that both Stage 1 Formal Appeal and Stage 2 Review of Appeal Decision forms should be submitted directly to academicappeals@brighton.ac.uk.

Repeating a period of study

If you have failed all or part of the academic year, you may not have to leave the university. Instead, you may be able to repeat a period of study.

Repeat study opportunities are offered at the discretion of the examination board. You will need to discuss your individual situation with your personal tutor or course leader.

Bear in mind that repeat study funding, including bursaries, is a complex issue, and we recommend that you see a student adviser to ensure that you will be able to successfully fund your repeated year.

Placement issues

If you experience issues while you are on a placement, contact your placement officer. You can also contact your personal tutor, course leader or student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) if your school has one.

If you find yourself without the contact details you need, call the main switchboard on 01273 600900 and ask to be put through to a member of staff from your area.

Changing your mode of study

Poor academic practice and academic misconduct

If you have received a letter accusing you of poor academic practice or academic misconduct, it can be confusing and upsetting. Academic misconduct is taken seriously by the university and can lead to disciplinary action.

The letter you receive will indicate whether yours is considered to be a case of “poor academic practice” or “academic misconduct” and will give you a date for an academic practice review meeting with the Head of School or nominee or an Investigating Panel for cases of academic misconduct.

We advise you to contact the Students' Union support service for advice and support with the process as soon as possible. The Students' Union is there to make sure you are treated fairly throughout the process and to advise you on your options.

How to make a complaint

What is a complaint?

While the university aims to provide the best possible educational experience for you, sometimes you may feel the service you have received was unsatisfactory. We have produced a “ How to Complain” guide to help you.

Where can I obtain advice and support?

If you are considering making a complaint, the Students’ Union can offer advice and guidance (pdf). Please contact them at bsusupportservice@brighton.ac.uk or telephone 01273 642876 for a confidential conversation about your options. This does not commit you to bringing a complaint.

Advisers from the Students’ Union can provide you with advice and support relevant to your individual circumstances, including helping you complete a Stage 2 Formal Complaint Form and accompanying you at meetings. You are encouraged to contact a Students’ Union Adviser before submitting your complaint.

What can I complain about?

• Failure by the university to provide a satisfactory service.
• The quality of facilities or learning resources.
• Misleading or incorrect information in prospectuses or promotional material and other information provided by the university.
• Concerns about the delivery of a programme, teaching or administration including, where applicable, that provided by a partner college.
• Poor quality of facilities, learning resources or services provided directly by the university.
• Complaints involving other organisations or contractors providing a service on behalf of the university.

Complaint documents

• Complaints resolution procedure (pdf)
• Complaints guide for students (Powerpoint)
• Stage 2 Complaint Form (.docx)
• Stage 3 Complaint Form (.docx)