This guide explains how the grade appeal process works, including review of results options, appeal grounds, and evidence requirements. This guide should be read together with the College’s Assessment Policy.
Students are required to familiarise themselves with this guideline before making a grade appeal application.
Review of results processes
1. Discuss with your lecturer
If you wish to query your mark for a particular piece of assessment, you should discuss the matter with your lecturer at the time the marks are released.
2. Calculation Check
If you wish to request a calculation check of your final results, you must submit a Calculation Check form by 5pm on the fifth working day after the results are published. The clerical check is not a remark of submission but a search of accuracy of mark entry and calculation.
3. Appeal
If you believe there have been procedural or factual errors in the calculation of their final marks, you can submit a Stage 2 appeal within ten (10) working days of the results being published and follow the steps outlined in the Student Appeal Policy and Student Appeal Procedure. Refer to this guide for more information.
Please note:
Dissatisfaction with grades does not constitute grounds for an appeal. Students are required to provide reasons and factual evidence to support your application for an appeal.
The appeals process will be administered in accordance with the principles of Procedural Fairness – a principle of law that is concerned with the procedures used by a decision-maker, rather than the actual outcome reached.
How grade marking is quality assured at UNSW College
- Marking rubrics for each assessment item within each course will distinguish assigned levels of grading/student achievement. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the marking rubrics to understand how your grade is determined.
- Moderation of marking is undertaken to ensure consistency of assessment decisions in accordance with the criteria defined for the assessment item.
- Exams are marked by multiple teachers to ensure a panel approach to each paper, to try and avoid individual errors.
- The Assessment and Integrity Committee approve final grades, on the recommendation of the Course Convenor and UNSW Quality Assurance and Review Consultant.
Example of factual errors
- There was mark omission.
- Assessment/exam result was recorded incorrectly.
- Approved special consideration was not implemented.
If you have identified such errors, you should contact your teacher and/or Academic Head immediately for correction. If you are dissatisfied with the resolution process with your teacher and/or Academic Head, you can submit an appeal and provide supporting evidence.
Example of procedural errors
- You were not provided access to the assessment guidelines.
- You were refused opportunities to seek feedback from your teachers on your assessment tasks.
If there was evidence that UNSW College did not follow its Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure in assessing your demonstration of your achievement of the learning outcomes for the course, you can submit an appeal on procedural grounds and provide supporting evidence.
While waiting for an appeal outcome
If you have failed the subject and lodged an appeal, you should:
- Proceed with enrolment as usual, as your mark may remain unchanged
- Continue to attend your scheduled classes and complete all the required tasks.
- If your appeal is successful and a grade of pass is awarded, you may withdraw from the subject in accordance with the enrolment procedure and schedule.
