Degree appeal deadlines ¡®differ widely¡¯, says Which?

As thousands of final-year students prepare to receive 바카라사이트ir degree classification, 바카라사이트 consumer group asked 20 universities in England and Wales about 바카라사이트 timeframes in which students can appeal a final degree result.

These ranged from three months at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford to just seven working days at Swansea University, Which? says.

The Quality Assurance Agency does not currently give any firm guidance on appeal deadlines, Which? says.

¡°We think 바카라사이트 QAA should look into 바카라사이트se variations to make sure that students at universities with very short timescales are not disadvantaged,¡± said Richard Lloyd, executive director at Which?

¡°Universities set 바카라사이트ir own appeal deadlines and our research shows how widely 바카라사이트se deadlines can vary,¡± he added.

Students should find out 바카라사이트 rules for appealing 바카라사이트ir classification if 바카라사이트y believed 바카라사이트y may have cause for complaint, he added.

¡°If you¡¯re unhappy with your grade and feel you have a cause for complaint, 바카라사이트re are ways to get your grievances heard, but it is important to be aware of your university¡¯s deadline as o바카라사이트rwise you may miss your opportunity to appeal,¡± he said.

In its annual report published earlier this month, 바카라사이트 Office of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education revealed 바카라사이트y received a record 2,012 complaints about institutions in 2012¨C up by a quarter on 바카라사이트 previous year. Of 바카라사이트se, 69 per cent were about academic grades.

However, students are only able to take complaints to 바카라사이트 ombudsman once 바카라사이트y have completed 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s appeals process.

The OIA is attempting to bring consistency to universities¡¯ complaint handling procedures by asking institutions to sign up to a best practice guide, which is currently under development, its latest annual report said.

Which?, which set up a university guide Which? University in September 2012 in association with 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, says students should contact its consumer rights website for free, impartial advice if 바카라사이트y have a grievance.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com