► Academic Advice
Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be a problem if references and materials are not sourced correctly. Always remember to reference your work in the text of your essay if you have used other sources than your own work. This includes websites, any published material and even televised programmes. It is not enough just to include it in the bibliography. Always discuss with your tutor which methods of referencing are favoured by your department. To ensure you comply with University regulations read the University of Bradford Statement on Academic Integrity at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/assu/statement_on_academic_integrity.htm
Breach of Assessment
If an examiner or an invigilator suspects you have breached the regulations on The Conduct of Examinations and the Presentation of Other Work for Formal Assessment you will be reported to the Complaints and Appeals Officer. You will be given the opportunity to respond to the alleged offence: you can get help from the Academic Affairs Officer or the UBU Student Advisors in preparing your response. The procedures to be followed in the event of a suspected breach of assessment regulations can be found at http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/BreachesAppealsComplaints/Introduction_Page_for_Web.pdf
Mitigating Circumstances
- What are they?
- Where to get a form
- What to do if you cannot attend an exam or complete an assessment
What are they?
A mitigating circumstances form is a way to get consideration for things at the right time with the least amount of hassle. A mitigating circumstances form can be filled out by students experiencing problems that affect their academic performance due to ill health or other form of adverse circumstances. If you require an extension for a piece of course work, speak to your course tutor as soon as possible and complete the relevant form. Evidence is required to support your claim, such as a medical certificate in the case of illness. Note that, as of 1st December 2009, students who do not attend for assessment, or submit assessed work - and do not notify the University in advance with good reason and gain approval for this non-attendance/submission - will, in future, forfeit their right to any further assessment in that module. A charge of £100, per missed assessment, will be made to students for the re-instatement of their right to supplementary assessment.
Where to get a form
Forms are held by departments, and are given to students on request. On completion you must hand this in to your department or the dean of your school at the earliest opportunity and no later than within seven days after the examination/assessment deadline to which they apply - but . The mitigating circumstances sub–committee will consider your case and pass their recommendations to the board of examiners, who then make the final decision. You can get help in filling out this form from the Academic Affairs Officer or the UBU Advice Centre.
What to do if you cannot attend an exam or complete an assessment
You must inform your department or the dean of your school in writing no later than within seven days after the examination/assessment deadline to which they apply. Submit a Mitigating Circumstances form and a letter with appropriate evidence. You may be given the opportunity to then submit at a later date or re-sit an exam as the same attempt. For more information, see http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/LatestInformation/WhatHappensIf.pdf
Appeals –
- When can I make an appeal?
- What help can I expect from the SU?
- Regulations
- Forms
When can I make an appeal?
You can only appeal against a board of examiners decision, i.e. when your provisional marks have been ratified by the board of your school. This could include your degree classification, a failed exam or an assessment that stops you from progressing further on your course. You have 21 days in which to do this from when your results are published: in the first instance the appeal is submitted to the Dean of your School.
What help can I expect from the SU?
The advice centre staff and the Academic Affairs Officer are always willing to help students who want to appeal, and obey a strict confidentiality policy. They will assist you with -
- Deciding if an appeal is the best course of action for you.
- Working out what grounds to appeal on.
- Giving you guidance on how to formalise your appeal letter.
- Explaining how the appeal process works.
- Checking you have completed the Appeals Form correctly.
- Ensuring everything discussed in the interview is expressed in your letter of appeal.
Regulations
An appeal is made by submitting a completed appeal form and a letter of appeal stating fully in writing the grounds for and the nature of the appeal. You may not add additional grounds at any later time in the consideration of the appeal, so it is important your submission covers all your concerns and contains your evidence. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
Appeal Form
Click here to download the Appeal Form:
Exams can be very stressful. Make sure you plan your time well and start revising well in advance. Plan your revision well to ensure you are able to get the books and files you require from the library. It is your responsibility to make sure you know the date, time and location of all your exams, especially if special arrangements are being made for you. Visit the University’s website to get practical information about examinations and exam timetables @ http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/examreg/Student.html
If you feel you have done badly in an exam because of personal or other circumstances, make sure you let the Board of Examiners know in writing of your mitigating circumstances. This must be done no later than within 7 days after the examination to which they apply. Most departments will have a mitigating circumstances form, and if not, you can write your own letter. It is vital that you enclose evidence to support your mitigation.
Complaining
If you feel a member of staff has persistently failed to communicate relevant information; has failed to act according to normal procedure; has failed to supervise you appropriately; or persistently cancelled meetings or lectures without proper notice or reasons, you may be able to make a formal complaint.
Other causes for a complaint might include threatening or abusive behaviour, or negligent behaviour likely to cause physical or mental harm to a student.
University Procedure
The university regulations governing the complaint procedure can be found here: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/recruitment/calendar/regs/reg34.html
The first step in the procedure is to bring the complaint to your Head of Department, who will investigate an informal solution. A formal complaint form will only be necessary if they ask you to complete one after 20 days of attempting informal resolution.
Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA)
If you have exhausted all University internal procedures and are still not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you can approach the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA). The OIA is a new institution designed to handle individual complaints against higher education institutions. The OIA provides a free, independent scheme for the review of student complaints.
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