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You may appeal against the decision of an examiner where the outcome was such that you were not awarded the degree you were enrolled upon, ie PhD or MD(Res), MPhil (other than the MPhilStud), MPhilStud (in respect of the thesis/oral examination only), or a professional doctorate (in respect of the thesis/oral examination only).

An appeal must be submitted on this form to SCA within 21 days of the publication of the result of the examination.

In accordance with the R15 Regulation, the Principal will allow an appeal to be heard if satisfied at least one of the following grounds are met: 

(a) Where there is evidence that the your performance at the oral examination may have been adversely affected by mitigating circumstances which you was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge to the examiners before the decision was reached;

(b) Where there is clear evidence of significant administrative or procedural error on the part of the College in the conduct of the examination, and that this accounted for your performance.

(c) Any other grounds considered applicable, including grounds of compassion.

The Principal will determine whether the criteria for an appeal have been met. Where they have, an Appeal Committee will be convened; otherwise the appeal will be dismissed. This decision will normally be communicated within 42 days of receipt of the appeal.

Where an Appeal Committee is convened, you shall normally receive at least 10 working days' notice of the hearing, and will be invited to present your case to the Panel. The examiners, or other relevant staff, will also be invited to give evidence. The Committee will determine whether there is sufficient reason to challenge the decision of the examiners; where it concludes such reason is present, they can set aside the original examination and ask that a new one be conducted, or refer the case back to the examiners for re-consideration. The decision of the Committee will normally be communicated to you and the examiners within 5 working days of the decision.

Further guidance about Committee procedures can be found here.

You may appeal against a decision not to approve an upgrade from MPhil to PhD, as set down in the R15 Regulation.

An appeal must be submitted on the form to the relevant Faculty or Campus Records/Academic Centre within 21 days of the notification of the upgrade decision. This must take place before the College is able to consider any applicable ppeal under the G28 Academic Progress Regulation.

In accordance with the R15 Regulation, the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies  will allow an appeal to be heard if satisfied at least one of the following grounds are met: 

(a) Where there is evidence that the student's performance may have been adversely affected by mitigating circumstances which the student was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge to the examiners before the decision was reached;

(b) Where there is clear evidence of a significant administrative or procedural error on the part of the College in the conduct of the upgrade process, and that this accounted for the student's performance.

(c) Any other grounds, including compassion, considered applicable.

The Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies will determine whether the criteria for an appeal have been met. Where they have, an Appeals Panel will be convened; otherwise the appeal will be dismissed. This decision will normally be communicated within 14 working days of receipt of the appeal.

The Appeals Panel will consider a detailed account of the factors leading to the Upgrade Panel's decision, a statement from the student's supervisor(s), the PGR Appeal Form, and any further comments received from the student. The decision of the Panel will normally be communicated to the student and the examiners within 30 working days of receipt of the appeal. In the event that the Panel dismiss the appeal and uphold the decision to terminate the student's registration, removal proceedings shall be instigated under the G28 Academic Progress Regulation. The student has the right to appeal against their removal in accordance with the G28 Regulation.

When all internal procedures are complete, students may request an independent review of their case by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education ('OIA'), if they remain dissatisfied with the College's final outcome.