Peterborough Advice

You can make a complaint to the University if you’re unsatisfied with any element of your academic or general university experience. You should raise your concerns informally with the head of the relevant department, but also your personal tutor, our Students’ Union officers, or us in the Advice Service.

We recommend that you set out what your complaint is about, why you are making the complaint, the impact of the situation on you, and the outcome(s) you are seeking.

If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of the informal process, you can choose to submit a formal complaint to the University.

You can find the University’s complaints procedure in the Rules, Regulations and Procedures for Students here.

Take a look at our Step by Step Guide on Student to University Complaints here for more information on this topic.

Take a look at the Heron page on complaints here for more information on this topic.

All students have the right to make a formal complaint against another student due to unacceptable behaviour where things have failed to be solved informally, or if the nature of the complaint is not appropriate to be resolved through the informal route. The Students’ Union Advice Service can advise you on the most appropriate route for your complaint.

You can find the University’s complaints procedure in the Rules, Regulations and Procedures for Students here (Student regulations and student protection plan - ARU).

Take a look at our Step by Step Guide on Student to Student Complaints here for more information on this topic.

The academic appeal process is a way of requesting the University reviews a decision relating to your award or progression. An appeal can be submitted once the Anglia Ruskin Awards Board have met. You can find the dates relating to the Awards Board here.

You have the right to submit an appeal provided you meet one, or more, of the following grounds:

• That there has been a material administrative error (the University made a mistake).

• That the assessment(s) was not conducted under the Academic Regulations (the University didn't follow it's own rules).

• That some other material irregularity has occurred (a mistake was made by the University, for example being given the wrong exam paper).

You are required to provide evidence of one, or more, of the above grounds when submitting an appeal.

For the regulations on appeals, read section 9 of the regulations here.

Take a look at the appeal form and the Heron’s page on appeals here.

You can also take a look at our Step by Step Guide on Academic Appeals for more information on this topic.

The exceptional circumstances process is a process used to inform the University of sudden, unforeseen, and uncontrollable experiences which have impacted your academic performance.

The following are grounds for exceptional circumstances:

• A serious personal illness which is not a permanent condition.

• The death, or serious illness, of a close family member, a friend or person for whom you have responsibility of care.

• Sudden or unforeseen circumstances beyond your reasonable control.

You are required to provide evidence of one, or more, of the above grounds when submitting an exceptional circumstances form.

For the regulations on exceptional circumstances, read section 6 of the regulations here

Take a look at the exceptional circumstances form and the Heron’s page on exceptional circumstances here.

You can also take a look at our Step by Step Guide to exceptional circumstances for more information on this topic.

If the University suspects you have used methods in your work that give you an unfair advantage over other students, then it will investigate for suspected Academic Misconduct.

If you've been written to about suspected Academic Misconduct, it is important you understand how this will be investigated and what the potential outcomes will be. Below is an overview of the timeline of events but we strongly recommend you book an appointment with the SU Advice Service for an in depth explanation and further support.

• Initial Reporting of Suspected Academic Misconduct: Work suspected of academic misconduct can be raised up to 20 working days after the submission deadline for normal assessments, and 30 working days for major projects. This can be extended if new evidence is provided.

• Stage 1 Faculty Investigation: Your work is looked at by an Academic Integrity Lead from your faculty. They will decide if there is enough evidence that academic misconduct has occurred. You may be invited to attend a viva-voce examination to show understanding of your work.

• Categories: If the Academic Integrity Lead believe no Academic Misconduct has taken place the no further action is taken. Where the Academic Integrity Lead believes that Academic Misconduct has occurred, they determine the extent of the alleged academic misconduct, and you will be written to within 15 working days (which can be extended by 10 working days) to categorise your level of Academic Misconduct (A, B or Exceptionally Serious).

• Response: You must respond to the allegation to either: accept the allegation, request a further 5 days to seek support, or to challenge the allegation.

• Stage 2 Panel Hearing: This is an opportunity to present your case when challenging the allegation.

• Penalties: The category of the level of academic misconduct equates to specific penalties. You can find the penalties in the university regulations and on our Step by Step Guide to Academic Misconduct page linked below.

For the regulations on academic misconduct, read section 10 of the regulations here.

You can also take a look at our Step by Step Guide on Academic Misconduct for more information on this topic.