Submit an academic appeal or complaint

Errors or queries about your marks or the assessment process before an examination board meets

If you think there’s a mistake in your provisional mark (a mark not yet confirmed by the examination board), you can raise it any time before the board meets. 

What to do

• Speak with your course leader, School Quality Lead or school office.
• Explain your concern – for example, if you think a mark was recorded incorrectly.

What happens next

• Your concern will be checked.
• You’ll be told what was found.
• Simple marking errors (like calculation or input mistakes) will be fixed before your marks are confirmed.

Results review

Once your marks have been confirmed by the course examination board, you have 14 calendar days from the date you receive them to ask for a results review.

To request a review

• Contact your school office.
• Clearly explain your concern.
• Say what outcome you’re hoping for.

If you’re not happy with the review outcome, you can submit a formal Stage 1 Academic Appeal within 21 calendar days of the review decision. Find out more below.

Academic appeals

An academic appeal is a formal request for the university to review a decision about your:

• progression (eg continuing to the next stage, repeating a module or being asked to leave)
• award or degree classification.

You can find full details in Section H of GEAR (the university’s academic regulations).

If you need any help, Brighton Students’ Union (SU) can support you with:

• understanding your options
• preparing your appeal
• advice and guidance tailored to your situation.

To book a confidential online appointment, fill out a Case Form on the SU website. Getting advice doesn’t commit you to taking any action.

How to submit a Stage 1 Academic Appeal

If you disagree with your results or progression decision, and you have valid reasons, you can submit a Stage 1 Academic Appeal.

• Use the Stage 1 Academic Appeal Form, following the Academic Appeal guidance carefully (download it online or get it from Brighton Students’ Union).
• Submit your Stage 1 Academic Appeal within 21 calendar days of getting your results or the outcome of your results review.
• Attach evidence, including a copy of your results email.

If you’re waiting for evidence and can’t submit it in time, send in your Stage 1 Academic Appeal form with:

• a short explanation of why you’re missing evidence
• a short description of what the evidence is and when it will be available.

You may be given an extra 14 days to send the missing evidence. 

Not happy with the Stage 1 Academic Appeal outcome?

You may be able to request a Stage 2 Appeal Outcome Review. Read Section H of GEAR and get advice from Brighton Students’ Union first.

Use the Stage 2 Appeal Form, following the Appeal Outcome Review Guidance, and send within 14 calendar days of your Stage 1 outcome to academicappeals@brighton.ac.uk. 

Academic Appeal Panel Dates (2025)

Academic Appeal Panels are currently scheduled for 3 November and 19 November 2025.

Still unhappy after Stage 2?

If you’re not satisfied with the Stage 2 outcome, you can take your case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). Brighton Students’ Union can support you through this process.

Academic Appeal or complaint?

Use the Complaints Procedure rather than submitting an Academic Appeal if your issue is about:

• quality of teaching or supervision
• poor course materials
• feeling unfairly treated or discriminated against.

Start by speaking with a school Complaints Officer. If the issue is not resolved within 14 days, you can make a formal Stage 1 Complaint. 

Need help? 

Brighton Students’ Union offers free, confidential advice. Book an appointment online by filling out a Case Form on its website. Submitting a form doesn’t commit you to taking any action. 

Email for appeals: academicappeals@brighton.ac.uk.

Making a complaint

A complaint is when you feel the university has not met reasonable expectations – for example, if a service, facility or part of your course hasn’t been delivered to a satisfactory standard. You can use our How to Complain guide to help you through the process.

You can make a complaint about things like:

• poor quality facilities, learning resources or services provided directly by the university
• misleading or incorrect information in prospectuses, promotional materials or other information issued by the university
• concerns about the delivery of a programme, teaching or administration, including – where applicable – teaching or services provided by a partner college
• issues involving external organisations or contractors delivering services on behalf of the university.

If you are thinking about making a complaint and need advice or support, Brighton Students’ Union offers free, confidential help. You’re encouraged to speak with a Students’ Union Adviser before submitting a complaint.

They can:

• talk through your options
• help you complete the Stage 2 Formal Complaint Form
• support you in meetings, if needed.

To book an online appointment, just fill out a Case Form on the SU website. Getting advice doesn’t commit you to taking any action.