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Stress at university has caused me to fail an examination and now I may be withdrawn from my course. What can I do?

Stress at university has caused me to fail an examination and now I may be withdrawn from my course. What can I do?

Failing an exam can have very serious consequences for any university student. Often failure is not merely the result of poor academic performance but rather of exacerbating circumstances such as a high degree of external stress. In these cases, it is clearly not fair that a student should lose the  opportunity that she or he has to continue with their course and gain their chosen qualification. Thankfully, failing an exam needn't spell the end for your academic career. The law makes it possible for you to mount an appropriate challenge to any unfair punitive measures following the failure of an exam.

Challenging an official decision

Ultimately, any and all decisions made by universities or colleges are open to official challenge. Although academic judgement does not fall into this category, decisions made on the back of a poor exam performance do. This means that you can appeal against a decision of the Board of Examiners and you can appeal against being withdrawn from your course as a consequence.

Most educational establishments will have an official academic appeals procedure in place, ensuring that each individual case and each student is treated fairly and equally. Most universities require that in the first instance, a written account of the student's situation and the reason for their appeal is to be made in writing. Then, once the relevant evidence has all been submitted and collated, the university or college will come to a decision as to whether any change should be made regarding their original ruling.

You may also be asked to attend an Appeal Panel, where you will be required to put your case across in person. You may be allowed to seek out legal representation for these hearings.

As with any challenge you make to an official decision, you are advised to make it in as timely a fashion as possible. All appeals must be launched within a fixed period of time, the details of which can be found in your university or college's official procedures paperwork. Ask the university/college secretary if you require clarification in that department. It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with the regulations and time limitations before gathering together the necessary evidence in support of your case and drafting your letter of appeal, all within the allocated time frame.

Generally speaking, successful appeals in relation to mitigating circumstances are always based on circumstances that lie beyond students' control, and that are clearly supported with supplementary evidence, such as medical, psychiatric or legal records.

Match can help you get your appeal right

Making sure your appeal contains the right information and is presented in the right way can mean the difference between being withdrawn from your course and effectively having your entire career collapse at the first hurdle, or being allowed to continue.

At Match Solicitors, we have a team of dedicated experts in higher education law, who deal with many such appeals every year. We can help with everything from drafting the initial appeal to making sure the relevant evidence is gathered, guaranteeing the best possible chance of a fair hearing. Call us today. We can discuss your case in complete confidence and advise you on what to do next. 



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