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Applicant feedback, appeals and complaints - Undergraduate

As explained in our prospectus, entry to Sussex is competitive so regrettably we are unable to offer a place to everyone who applies. Although we do not provide automatic feedback to every unsuccessful applicant, we are happy to provide written feedback upon request. The following information provides details of the University's feedback policy, as well as details about the complaints and appeals procedures for applicants. These policies and procedures would also apply to former students of the University who had been unsuccessful in gaining re-admission (whether to their former course or to another subject).

Feedback (defined as a request for information on why an application was turned down)

All applications to the University of Sussex are considered fairly, equally and in line with the University's admissions policy.

The University believes in a holistic approach to selection. In considering applications we therefore take into account all aspects of the application, including qualifications achieved to date, any predicted results on qualifications that are still pending, the Personal Statement, relevant work experience, the academic reference, any mitigating circumstances that we are alerted to (such as long-term illness or personal difficulties) and any contextual data. On occasions, we may also ask for additional information, which might include additional or updated references, further information on qualifications (including transcripts), an additional or enhanced personal statement, examples of work, a set essay and/or an interview. In taking the decision to offer or reject, we are therefore taking into account all the information that has been made available to us. As each application is assessed on its own strengths and merits, the relative weight placed on these different aspects of selection varies from applicant to applicant, and between different degree courses. 

All decisions (including those to turn down an applicant) are double-checked within the Admissions Office. All decisions are therefore taken by at least two people.

We do not write automatically to unsuccessful applicants, but communicate the decision via UCAS (Note: the exception to this are former students seeking re-admission, where the decision will be issued in writing by the Student Progress & Assessment Office direct to the applicant).

We are, however, happy to provide written feedback (upon request) to unsuccessful applicants, in accordance with the procedures set out below.

If applicants have additional information to submit in support of their application, this can be provided as part of the request for feedback.

Applicants are asked to note that the most common reason for an application to be declined is that the applicant either does not meet a specific entry requirement (for example, having A-level standard Maths and Physics for a Physics degree or GCSE level Maths for Psychology) or does not have (or is not likely to achieve) the required grades for admission (ie. our standard offer level). Admission to the University of Sussex is competitive and we do not normally take students with grades lower than those advertised in the Undergraduate Prospectus. Unsuccessful applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to check the University's Undergraduate Prospectus for details of both standard offer levels and any specific entry requirements before requesting feedback.

If an applicant wishes to receive feedback then they should put the request in writing and send it to the Undergraduate Admissions Officer at the following address:

AdmissionsOffice
Sussex House
University of Sussex
Brighton
BN1 9RH
UK

F +44 (0) 1273 678545

The request should include the applicant's full name (as declared on the application form), UCAS Personal ID number and degree course(s) applied for. The letter should state that the applicant is seeking feedback on their rejection and should, ideally, confirm that they have read this policy document. Requests for feedback, setting out the same information, can also be emailed to ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk.

Please note that requests for feedback must be submitted within the same UCAS admissions cycle as the application about which the feedback is requested.

 When the request for feedback arrives, the applicant will be sent a letter or email acknowledging receipt of the request and giving an indication of the date by which they can expect to receive written feedback. Whilst every effort will be made to respond to requests quickly, at certain times of year this is not possible. We will aim to respond within 28 working days, but the acknowledgment letter will give a better indication of the expected length of time required to reply.

Feedback, where appropriate, may include advice on possible courses of action. This advice is obviously Sussex specific and it should be noted that any advice is not a guarantee of future admission. Advice on possible courses of action is merely guidance aimed at helping the applicant. Applicants are reminded that independent guidance is also available from advisers within the school, college, careers or Connexions service and applicants should consider consulting these sources for help.

 Requests for feedback should normally come from the applicant. The University will not respond to requests for feedback from those advising applicants (whether parents, guardians, teacher or careers adviser) unless that individual/parent has been explicitly appointed (in writing) to act on behalf of the applicant. A copy of the written authority to act for the applicant would need to be provided along with the request for feedback. In the vast majority of cases, however, the University would expect to receive the request for feedback direct from the applicant.

The University is, however, happy to provide more general feedback on policy to schools, colleges and others providing advice to potential applicants. We regret, however, that we cannot comment on specific individual cases without express permission, in writing, from the applicant.

Appeals (defined as a formal request to review the selection decision)

Applicants do not have a right of appeal against the academic judgment of the University. However, if following receipt of feedback, an applicant feels that an error has occurred, they have the right to request a formal review of the selection decision on one of the following grounds:

(1) pertinent information was missing from the original application;

(2) there has been a misinterpretation of information or data contained within the original application; and/or

(3) there was a procedural anomaly in the handling of the application.

This review can only be requested after an applicant has received feedback on the reason for their original rejection. The request for a review must then be placed (in writing) within twenty-eight calendar days of the feedback being sent to the applicant, stating clearly on what grounds the request for a review is being made. This request should be sent to the Head of the Admissions Office, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK or emailed to ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk.

As with the original request for feedback, the subsequent request for a review must be made by the applicant and not a third party. The University will not respond to requests from anyone other than the applicant (unless written permission has been granted by the applicant).

 Once received, the Head of the Admissions Office will review the record of the application (normally in consultation with the relevant Admissions Tutor) and will respond in writing. If the original decision is upheld, this correspondence will include the reasons for the decision.

A separate fee status appeals process exists for applicants who wish to challenge their fee status assessment. 

Complaints (defined as a concern about an aspect of the admissions process, which is not necessarily connected to the selection decision)

Complaints are different to requests for feedback or appeals.

A complaint does not necessarily have to be in connection with a decision to turn down an applicant. A complaint is a concern about a particular procedure, an irregularity in the administration of an application, or a belief that a policy has not been correctly implemented. Complaints may cover any aspect of the admissions process and will normally focus on a specific issue or situation (which could include the feedback request). A complaint does not necessarily question the decision of the University, but raises a concern about how the selection process operated.

As with requests for feedback and appeals, the complaint must come from the applicant. The complaint must be submitted within three months of the conclusion of the admissions process against which the complaint is being made. Complaints must initially be sent (in writing) to the Head of the Admissions Office, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK or should be emailed to ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk. The Head of the Admissions Office will seek to resolve the complaint or explain the situation and will respond in writing to the applicant.

If the applicant remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint from the Head of the Admissions Office, the complaint can be passed to the Academic Registrar for a final review. This escalation of the complaint must be submitted in writing within twenty-eight calendar days of receiving the response from the Head of the Admissions Office. The complaint should be sent to the Academic Registrar, Sussex House, University of Sussex, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH.

The Academic Registrar will review the case on the following grounds:

(1) whether there were procedural irregularities in the investigation of the complaint; or

(2) whether fresh evidence can be presented which was not or could not reasonably have been made available to the Head of the Admissions Office; or

(3) whether the finding of the previous investigation was against the weight of the evidence.

The Academic Registrar will notify the applicant of the outcome of the complaint in writing. The Academic Registrar's decision is final.