The University of Southampton is committed to ensuring that we provide our students with a high quality educational experience. The Student Casework Team is engaged in supporting the University in this process. Where possible we believe that every attempt should be made to resolve complaints and appeals informally and closest to the point of when the issue emerges. However, we have a formal complaints and appeals procedure through which students may be supported.
The University is keen to learn from the complaints we receive and you can find at the bottom of this page 'You Said We Did' which lists examples of initiatives and actions taken in response to your complaints.
The following act as useful points of reference:
Students wishing to submit an academic appeal should use the Regulations Governing Academic Appeals by Students . These describe in detail the process to be followed by students wishing to appeal. It is essential that students refer to the full Appeal Regulations, however a simple summary of the process can be found at the bottom of this page in Useful Downloads.
Students are strongly encourage to speak with their Personal Academic Tutor and to review the FAQs in the Useful Downloads below, prior to submitting an academic appeal.
The Stage 1 appeal form can be found in Useful Downloads. If you cannot log in to access the form for any reason, please contact: casework@soton.ac.uk.
What type of appeals are likely to be rejected
There are also other possible outcomes; these are just some of the most usual.
These outcomes listed above aren’t possible because they are contrary to wider Regulatory framework. There are also other outcomes, not listed here, which we wouldn’t be able to agree.
A student may submit their appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) for review if they remain dissatisfied following completion of the University's procedures. Usually this must be submitted within one year of the date of the Completion of Procedures letter, but the letter itself will specify the deadline.
A complaint is defined as ‘an expression of dissatisfaction which requires a response'. The University aims to resolve the majority of complaints and concerns quickly and informally. The Regulations Governing Student Complaints explain in detail the process to be followed by students pursuing a complaint. It is essential that students refer to the full Complaint Regulations , however a simple summary of the process can be found at the bottom of this page. Under these Regulations students may raise complaints or concerns relating to most issues including academic programmes, University Staff, facilities and services.
There a separate Regulations Governing Complaints from Applicants and Academic Appeals.
Once a student has completed the internal complaints process the University issues them with a Completion of Procedures letter. Students may submit their complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) for review if they remain dissatisfied following completion of the University's procedures. Usually this must be submitted within one year of the date of the Completion of Procedures letter, but the letter itself will specify the deadline.
Stage 1 - Academic Appeal Form
UoS Malaysia and UoS Delhi variations for Academic Appeals and Student Complaints