What are the grounds for an academic misconduct appeal and the burden of proof?

Any student who believes they have grounds for appeal against the outcome of an academic misconduct process should follow the procedure as outlined in the Regulations for Academic Integrity - Appeals.You have the right to appeal the outcome of an academic misconduct process provided you do so within 10 University working days of the date you were notified of the outcome.There is guidance available if you are nearing the deadline to submit an appeal.  

• The University considers that an academic misconduct appeal may be made when there is independent evidence to show: 

• That staff or bodies have failed to follow regulations and/or procedures or have failed to follow them with due care. 

• That staff or bodies have shown bias or prejudice towards you in the way they have made the relevant decision. 

• That relevant new evidence has become available that should be considered and there are valid reasons why it was not provided earlier 

• That the decision was unreasonable and/or the penalty imposed was not proportionate in all of the circumstances. 

The burden of proof means that it is for you to show that one or more of the grounds in which you wish to appeal, apply.  This means it is for you to explain, and provide supporting evidence, that something was or was not the case.For more information on the academic misconduct appeals process , visit our academic misconduct page.