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Admissions Complaints and Appeals Procedure – October 2017
Appeals against the decisions of admissions selectors may only be made on the following grounds:
a) Failure to apply the relevant policy or procedures
b) Bias or Prejudice.
Challenges to the academic judgement of admissions selectors may not form the basis of an
admissible appeal.
Queries
Any queries about this procedure should be directed to either: the Senior Undergraduate Admissions
Manager or the Senior Postgraduate Admissions Manager, Marketing and Student Recruitment
Directorate, Newcastle University, King’s Gate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU.
B General Provisions
These provisions apply to both Part C and Part D.
Time Limits
Complaints received more than one month after the event in question shall not normally be
investigated. Appeals received more than one month after the date of the letter notifying an applicant
of a decision shall not normally be investigated. Complaints or appeals received beyond the normal
time limit shall be referred to the Academic Registrar who shall determine whether or not
circumstances exist which make it reasonable for the complainant or appellant not to have made a
submission within the normal time limit.
Anonymous Complaints
Complaints made anonymously shall not be investigated.
Responsibilities of Complainant
Complaints or appeals shall be made in writing to the Senior Undergraduate Admissions Manager or
the Senior Postgraduate Admissions Manager, (hereafter referred to as the ‘Admissions Officer’),
Newcastle University, King’s Gate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU. They shall include the
complainant’s full name and UCAS Personal ID number (if applicable), and as much detail as
possible about the grounds for complaint or appeal, including relevant names and dates. The
complaint or appeal shall also include confirmation that the complainant or appellant consents to the
matter being investigated with all relevant parties and to any information disclosed in the complaint
or appeal being divulged to those relevant parties.
Monitoring
The Admissions Officer shall keep a record of complaints and appeals received and investigated and
shall report annually to University Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee.
Confidentiality
All information which a complainant or appellant provides to the Admissions Officer, Complaints or
Appeals Officer or any other officers dealing with the matter in the course of an investigation shall