Further support and advice
Any student who is considering submitting an academic appeal is strongly advised to seek advice prior to doing so, in order to ensure that the appeals process is the best means of resolving your concerns and to clarify whether you do have grounds for appeal.
You should read carefully the advice contained on these web pages, including the sections entitled What are the grounds for making an appeal? and What decisions can students appeal against?
Your pre-appeal meeting with the designated person may also help you to clarify the basis of your appeal and whether you do have potential grounds for appeal.
For more detailed advice and support, especially if your case is more complex, you are strongly advised to contact the Students' Union Advice and Representation Centre (E advice@ussu.sussex.ac.uk) which can offer you free and confidential advice, and which is independent of the University.
The Advice and Representation Centre can assist you with the following:
- Helping you to decide if appealing is the best course of action for you;
- Ascertaining if you do have potential grounds for appeal;
- Explaining how the process works;
- Providing you with independent advice on how best to structure and present your appeal submission and supporting evidence;
- In the event that your case is among the few that are considered at a hearing of an Appeals Panel, a relevant member of the Students' Union may accompany you to the hearing and, if you wish, answer questions on your behalf (see Appeals Panel hearings).
Relevant members of University staff may also assist you in helping you to understand the appeals process, the questions asked of you in the appeals form (see Appeals Forms) and relevant University rules which apply to your case.
Please note however that, as indicated elsewhere on these pages, it is your responsibility to substantiate the basis of your appeal and to lodge your appeal with supporting evidence within the stated deadline.
Please note also that members of University staff - for example your academic advisor, supervisor, or advisor/s within the Student Life Centre - should not be expected to provide you with assistance with regard to aspects related to the presentation of your case, or to act as advocate on your behalf.
You should not therefore ask an advisor within the Student Life Centre, or any other member of University staff, to act as your representative (and answer questions on your behalf) in the event that your case is considered at a hearing of an Appeals Panel. As stated above, if you require representation at an Appeals Panel you are strongly recommended to request this via the Students' Union Advice and Representation Centre.
Nor should you expect anyone who advises you with respect to your case to provide you with any indication of the likely outcome.