Appeals against withdrawal decisions

What is withdrawal?

If your attendance and engagement with your course falls below a certain level, you may be withdrawn from your course by the University.

Engagement and attendance include attending timetabled teaching sessions, accessing Moodle and submitting work for an assessment.

You can also decide to withdraw from the University at your own request.

If you are considering withdrawing from your studies, you first consult your academic tutor or programme leader, along with the Student Financial Support Team to see if this is the best course of action for you.

If you decide to withdraw or have been withdrawn by the University, you must stop attending your course.

If you wish to return to the University at a later date, you will have to complete the admissions process again. This would mean submitting a new application for the same or different course.

Why could I be withdrawn by the University?

The University expects a certain level of engagement from you as a student in terms of attendance at classes and engagement with your assessed work. This is important as it helps you perform to the best of your ability.

If your engagement with your course falls below the minimum requirements and your Department judges you to be at risk of potentially failing the year, the withdrawal procedure will be implemented.

This will usually include an initial informal warning by either email or letter that your engagement has fallen below the minimum requirement. You will be advised to address these issues and will be invited to speak to a member of staff to discuss any reasons for your poor attendance. If your engagement with the course does not improve, your department will initiate the formal withdrawal process.

The formal withdrawal process involves a first and second formal warning letter:

• The first academic warning letter will set out the reasons for the warning and will give you two weeks to address these matters as well as invite you to meet with your programme leader.
• If after two weeks you have not addressed the matters of concern, you will be sent a second and final academic warning letter, which requires you to meet with either your programme leader or your head of department. If after two weeks you have not made an appointment to discuss the situation and have not improved your engagement, your head of department will authorise your withdrawal from the course.

If you attend a meeting, it is helpful if you can explain any issues that are affecting your attendance or engagement with the course.

How do I appeal against my withdrawal?

You can submit an appeal against the decision to withdraw you from your course by completing the Appeal Against Withdrawal Form. 

Do not use this form if you have received your results and failed the year. 

If you have failed the year and want to challenge this you will need to submit an evidenced extension claim, or an academic appeal.

You can appeal the decision to withdraw you on one of three grounds:

• That your engagement with the course has been affected by personal circumstances which you have not disclosed at an earlier stage in the process.
• That there has been a material irregularity or error in the way the withdrawal process has been carried out.
• You can demonstrate that you are not yet at the stage of being unable to complete the academic work required to secure a pass at the end of the current academic session.

Appeals against withdrawal must be submitted within seven days of the date of your withdrawal letter.

When completing the appeal form you should ensure you give as much information as possible for the panel to make a decision. You should also submit any evidence you can in support of your Appeal. If you are appealing on the grounds of personal circumstances, you will need to supply supporting evidence. you can find guidance on appropriate evidence on the assessments and results page.

If you have any questions about the appeal process contact [email protected]

You may find the Step-by-step guide to submitting an appeal useful.

If you need further advice on writing your appeal, you should contact the Student Union Advice Centre.

Possible appeal remedies

If your appeal is upheld, you will usually be allowed to continue on your course.

If you do not fully engage with your course after this decision, you will be withdrawn from your course with no further right of appeal.