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Student Appeals

Student Appeals 

Student Appeals (inside)

The University is committed to providing students with the right to appeal, on permitted grounds, against University decisions relating to their assessment, progression or standing with the University.

A student appeal is a request for a formal review of a decision or sanction determined by a university body charged with the above decision-making powers.

The Student Appeals Procedure outlines the category of decisions that may be appealed, grounds for an appeal and the procedures that will be followed.

Category of appeal & decisions that may be appealed

Grounds for appeal

Assessment Appeals

Decisions that may be appealed:

  • the result of any assessment of students’ academic work
  • the decision of the Academic Council Committee on Examinations on the award of a Research Master’s Degree
  • decisions on progression in and award of doctoral programmes
  • Procedural irregularity: there is evidence that the procedures relating to a decision were not followed properly, which may have impacted on the decision.
  • Extenuating circumstances: there were extenuating circumstances of which the relevant Governing Board was aware but had rejected, because the application was late and the Governing Board did not consider the reason why the application was late to be valid.

Student Conduct / Student Fitness to Practise / Fitness to Continue in Study Appeals 

Decisions that may be appealed:

  • decisions and / or penalty applied under the Student Discipline Procedure
  • decisions of School Plagiarism Committees
  • decisions of UCD Residences regarding breaches of the License to Reside
  • decisions regarding Fitness to Continue in Study
  • decisions regarding Student Fitness to Practise
 
  • Procedural irregularity: there is evidence that the procedures relating to a decision were not followed properly, which may have impacted on the decision.
  • New evidence: information relevant to the decision, which for good reason was not available to the original decision-making body.
  • Disproportionate outcome or penalty: the action or penalty applied was disproportionately severe with regard to the circumstances of the case.

Other Appeals 

Decisions that may be appealed:

  • discontinuation of a student’s registration under Continuation
  • decisions of the Ad Astra Academy to discontinue a scholarship
  • decisions made by the Student Vetting Committee
  • decisions made by the Risk Assessment Standing Committee
  • Procedural irregularity: there is evidence that the procedures relating to a decision were not followed properly, which may have impacted on the decision.
  • New evidence: information relevant to the decision, which for good reason was not available to the original decision-making body.

For assessment appeals please click here. For all other appeals the process is outlined below. 

An appeal can be submitted when the final decision has been ratified by the original decision-making body, such as your governing board, and this decision has been formally communicated to you. 

To submit an appeal, you must complete the Student Appeals Form include relevant supporting evidence and email it to (opens in a new window)student.appeals@ucd.ie within 10 working days of the notification or publication of the decision. Appeal submissions should be as clear and concise as possible, concentrating on the grounds for the appeal and linked to the supporting evidence.

Before you submit your appeal, please refer to the Student Appeals Form Check List  to make sure that you have provided all required information.

Appeals will normally be processed within 30 working days.

  1. Your appeal will first be assessed to confirm that it falls within the scope of the Student Appeals Procedure.  You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and you will be advised as to whether your appeal is within the scope of the student appeals procedure.

  2. The original decision-making body will be asked to submit all relevant documentation used in making the decision and to submit a formal response to the appeal.

  3. The appeal is then scheduled for hearing by a Student Appeals Committee. The Committee will be convened from the membership of the Student Appeals Panel and will consist of a Chair and two further members. 
  4. Most categories of appeals are determined by the Committee based on written appeal submissions and the relevant documentary evidence. Students will be invited to attend meetings where appeals are submitted against decisions made under the Student Academic Misconduct Procedure, the Fitness to Continue in Study, and Fitness to Practise policies.

  5. A copy of the Student Appeal Form and any supporting evidence and documentation submitted by the original decision-making body, including the decision-making body’s comment in relation to the appeal, will be issued to the Committee and the appellant in advance of the meeting. 

  6. The Student Appeals Committee reviews the appeal and decides to either uphold the appeal in full or in part, or not uphold the appeal (reject the appeal).
  • If an appeal is upheld in full or in part, it means that the Committee supports the student's appeal and will make a decision in relation to the case, which may include referral of the case back to the original decision-making body for a new hearing. 
  • If an appeal is not upheld, it means that it is rejected and the original decision is confirmed.

It is important to note that where a Student Appeals Committee is considering an appeal against a penalty imposed under the Student Academic Misconduct Procedure, the Committee may decrease or increase a penalty or vary the nature of the penalty.

All decisions of the University remain in force until the outcome of any decision on an appeal.

Each programme has a dedicated Student Adviser who can offer support, information and advice.

Access contact details and information on a range of student issues. 

UCD Chaplains are available for support, guidance and advice.  

The SU Sabbatical Officers are available to offer assistance and support to students.

Student Counselling Service is provided by professionally qualified psychologists and counsellors.

Q1. WHEN CAN I APPEAL?

Student appeals must be submitted within 10 working days of the notification or publication of the formal decision. You can appeal only the final decision of the original decision-making body.

Q2. WHAT IF I MISS THE APPEAL DEADLINE?

Appeals submitted after the relevant deadline are regarded as late and will not normally be accepted. In exceptional circumstances, including an explanation and supporting evidence of a delay, and at the University’s discretion, a late appeal may be accepted.

Q3. CAN I ATTEND A STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE MEETING?

It depends on the decision you are appealing. Most appeals are determined based on written submissions and the relevant documentary evidence. Where a student is permitted to attend the meeting of the original decision-making body, appellants will also be permitted with the opportunity to make an oral submission to the Committee. Students will be invited to attend meetings where appeals are submitted against decisions made under the Student Academic Misconduct Procedure, the Fitness to Continue in Study and Fitness to Practise policies.

Q4. CAN I BE ACCOMPANIED TO A STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE MEETING? 

Most appeals are determined based on written submissions and the relevant documentary evidence and an appellant will not attend a Student Appeals Committee meeting. However, some categories of appeals will allow for the appellant’s attendance. In such cases, you may be accompanied by a person of your choice to support you at the meeting, such as a Student Adviser, an SU Officer or a relative. A support person will not normally be a legal representative and it will be at the University’s discretion whether a legal representative shall be permitted to attend.

Q5. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO REACH A DECISION ABOUT MY APPEAL?

Normally a decision regarding an appeal will be made within 30 working days. Occasionally, the University may not be able to meet this timescale. In such circumstances you will be informed of any delays.

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