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Consolidated Student Appeals Procedure

Equra College London
Version: 1.0
Approved by: Governing Body / Academic Board (as applicable)
Effective from: 20/01/2026
Review date: 15/01/2026 (annual review)
Owner: Quality Lead / Head of Academic Services

1. Purpose

Equra College London (“Equra”) is committed to fair, transparent, and timely decision-making. This procedure explains how students may submit an appeal against specified outcomes/decisions and how Equra will consider appeals consistently, impartially, and in line with natural justice.

This procedure aims to:

  • Ensure decisions are made fairly and based on evidence;
  • Provide a clear route to challenge outcomes where valid grounds exist;
  • Protect students from disadvantage or retaliation for raising an appeal in good faith;
  • Support organisational learning and continuous improvement.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to appeals relating to the following decision types:

Part A: Appeal against outcome of a Disciplinary hearing, Fitness to Practise Panel, or Fitness to Study Panel
Part B: Appeal against outcome of an Academic Misconduct hearing
Part C: Appeal against marks/grades (academic appeal route)
Part D: Appeal against refusal to grant a suspension of studies
Part E: Appeal against rejection of an application for mitigating circumstances
Part F: Appeal against suspension/withdrawal of a student domiciled/resident in the UK
Part G: Appeal against the outcome of an investigation of a student complaint
Part H: Appeal against suspension/withdrawal of an international student

3. What this procedure does NOT cover

Appeals will not be upheld where they are based solely on:

  • Disagreement with academic judgment (e.g., you believe you deserved a higher mark, without a valid appeal ground);
  • General dissatisfaction without evidence-based grounds;
  • Matters that should be handled under another Equra procedure (Equra will redirect you to the correct route where appropriate).

If you are unsure which route applies, Equra will advise you upon submission.

4. Definitions

  • Appeal: A formal request for review of a decision/outcome covered by this procedure.
  • Appellant: The student submitting the appeal.
  • Working day: Monday–Friday excluding public holidays.
  • Completion of Procedures Letter: Written confirmation that internal appeal stages are exhausted.

5. Principles

Equra will handle appeals under these principles:

  • Impartiality: An appeal will be reviewed by a person/panel not previously involved.
  • Fair process: Decisions based on evidence and documented reasons.
  • Timeliness: Clear timescales and updates if timeframes change.
  • Accessibility: Reasonable adjustments available for disability/health needs.
  • Confidentiality: Managed on a need-to-know basis.
  • No retaliation: Students will not be penalised for appealing in good faith.

6. Grounds for appeal (must select at least one)

Appeals may be considered only on one or more of the following grounds:

G1 Procedural irregularity
A material error in procedure that could have affected the outcome.

G2 New evidence
Relevant evidence that was not available at the time of the original decision, and could not reasonably have been provided earlier.

G3 Disproportionate outcome / decision not supported by evidence
The outcome is clearly unreasonable or disproportionate based on the evidence available.

G4 Bias or conflict of interest
Evidence of bias, prejudice, or conflict of interest that could have affected the decision.

Important: Simply disagreeing with an academic/disciplinary decision is not a ground unless supported by one of the above.

7. Student support and representation

Students may be accompanied at any appeal meeting/hearing by:

  • A friend, student representative, or adviser (non-legal).

Equra may refuse accompaniment where conduct is disruptive or unreasonable but will propose a fair alternative.

8. Submitting an appeal

How to submit
Appeals must be submitted using the Appeals Application Form (or in writing containing the same information) via:

What to include

  • Student name and ID (if applicable)
  • Programme/course title (if applicable)
  • Decision/outcome being appealed and date of decision letter
  • Which Part applies (A–H)
  • Grounds (G1–G4)
  • Clear statement of reasons
  • Supporting evidence (emails, letters, screenshots, documents)
  • Remedy sought (what outcome you want)

Time limits
Unless otherwise stated in the original outcome letter, appeals must normally be submitted within:

  • 10 working days of the decision letter (Parts A, B, C, F, H)
  • 10 working days of refusal decision (Part D)
  • 10 working days of rejection decision (Part E)
  • 10 working days of complaint outcome letter / Completion of Procedures at complaints stage (Part G)

Late submissions may be accepted only where there is a compelling reason with evidence.

9. Two-stage process (all parts)

Equra uses a two-stage appeal process:

Stage 1: Appeal Review (Initial Consideration)

Acknowledgement: within 3 working days
Equra will confirm:

  • The appeal has been received;
  • Whether it is in scope and submitted on valid grounds;
  • Who is handling Stage 1;
  • Expected outcome date.

Stage 1 review method
Stage 1 is usually a paper-based review of:

  • The decision letter and case file;
  • Evidence relied upon;
  • Evidence submitted with the appeal.

Equra may request clarification or additional documents, with a reasonable deadline.

Stage 1 timescale: outcome normally issued within 15 working days of acknowledgement. If extended, Equra will provide reasons and a revised date.

Stage 1 outcomes

  • Not upheld (with reasons)
  • Partly upheld (with remedy/actions)
  • Upheld (with remedy/actions)
  • Referred for re-hearing / reconsideration (where required)

The Stage 1 outcome letter will explain how to request Stage 2.

Stage 2: Final Appeal Review (Independent Review / Panel where necessary)

Stage 2 is a final internal review. It considers whether Stage 1 was reasonable and fair, and may reconsider evidence where appropriate.

Request deadline: within 10 working days of the Stage 1 outcome.
The appellant must state why Stage 2 is requested (e.g., Stage 1 failed to address grounds/evidence, procedural unfairness, new evidence).

Reviewer/panel: independent senior reviewer or appeal panel not previously involved.

Stage 2 timescale: acknowledgement within 3 working days, outcome normally within 20 working days.

Stage 2 outcomes

  • Confirm Stage 1 decision;
  • Substitute/modify outcome and remedy;
  • Refer back for re-hearing/reconsideration (where required).

Equra will issue a Completion of Procedures Letter after Stage 2.

10. Part-specific guidance (A–H)

Part A — Disciplinary / Fitness to Practise / Fitness to Study

Typical remedies:

  • Confirm outcome;
  • Amend sanctions/conditions;
  • Order a fresh hearing with a new panel;
  • Adjust support plan (Fitness to Study) where appropriate.

Interim measures:
Equra may maintain interim safety/safeguarding measures pending appeal outcome.

Part B — Academic Misconduct hearing

Focus of appeal: process, evidence, proportionality, or new evidence — not simply disagreement.

Typical remedies:

  • Confirm outcome;
  • Adjust penalty;
  • Order re-hearing.

Part C — Marks/Grades (Academic Appeals)

Academic judgment rule: Marks are not changed just because the student disagrees.
Valid grounds include: material error in process, incorrect application of assessment regulations, bias, or verified new evidence.

Typical remedies:

  • Re-mark / moderation check (where justified);
  • Reassessment opportunity (where justified);
  • Correct administrative error.

Part D — Refusal to grant suspension of studies

Focus: whether decision was made reasonably, using correct criteria and evidence, and whether reasonable adjustments were considered.

Typical remedies:

  • Approve suspension;
  • Approve with conditions;
  • Reconsider decision with additional evidence.

Part E — Rejection of mitigating circumstances

Focus: whether evidence was considered properly and criteria applied consistently.

Typical remedies:

  • Approve mitigation;
  • Reconsider with new evidence;
  • Confirm rejection with clear reasons.

Part F — Suspension/withdrawal (UK domiciled/resident student)

Focus: process, evidence, proportionality, and whether alternatives/support were considered.

Typical remedies:

  • Lift suspension/withdrawal;
  • Replace with conditions/support plan;
  • Order re-hearing.

Part G — Appeal against outcome of a student complaint investigation

This is a review of how the complaint was handled and whether the outcome was reasonable based on evidence.

Typical remedies:

  • Confirm complaint outcome;
  • Modify remedy/actions;
  • Order further investigation where there was a material flaw.

Part H — Suspension/withdrawal of an international student

Focus: process, evidence, proportionality, and any relevant compliance considerations.

Typical remedies:

  • Lift suspension/withdrawal;
  • Replace with conditions/support plan;
  • Order re-hearing/reconsideration.

Equra will communicate clearly what decisions it can/cannot make and any relevant next steps.

11. Remedies (examples)

Where an appeal is upheld/partly upheld, Equra may:

  • Correct administrative/process errors;
  • Adjust sanctions/conditions;
  • Provide reassessment/review where appropriate;
  • Re-run a hearing with a new decision-maker;
  • Provide additional support measures.

Financial remedies (if any) are handled separately under refunds/compensation processes where applicable.

12. Confidentiality, records and data protection

Equra will store appeal records securely, share information on a need-to-know basis, and process personal data in line with Equra’s Privacy Notice and retention schedule.

13. Reasonable adjustments

Students may request reasonable adjustments for disability/health needs (e.g., accessible formats, breaks, remote meetings, communication preference). Equra encourages early requests so support can be arranged promptly.

14. Vexatious or abusive behaviour

Equra will not tolerate abusive conduct. Where communication becomes persistently unreasonable or abusive, Equra may apply proportionate communication boundaries while still addressing the substance of the appeal.

15. External review

Once internal stages are complete, students may be eligible to seek independent external review through an appropriate external body where applicable and subject to Equra’s regulatory status/memberships at the relevant time. Details will be provided in the Completion of Procedures Letter.

Contact details

Appeals email: appeals@equracollege.org.uk
General email: info@equracollege.org.uk
Online appeal form: