Manchester academic appeal: grounds and 20-working-day limit

Rule checked against The University of Manchester's own pages on 3 November 2026.

You can appeal up to 20 working days after notification of your confirmed results or other decision you are appealing against. First, read your letter and check whether you could reasonably have used the Mitigating Circumstances Procedure or Change of Circumstances Policy; if you could, you must use that procedure or policy, and if relevant explain with evidence why you could not at the time. To submit an academic appeal, complete the online appeals form sent to your School, or the Doctoral Academy for research students, and include evidence with your reasons.

Time limit to appeal

You can appeal up to 20 working days after notification of your confirmed results or other decision.^[1]

What to try first

You must use the Mitigating Circumstances Procedure or Change of Circumstances Policy in all possible cases.^[1]

Grounds you can use

One ground is that circumstances affected your performance and, for a good reason, the decision-making body may not have been made aware of them.^[1]

Where to submit

Complete the online appeals form, which is sent to your School (or the Doctoral Academy for research students).^[1]

If that fails

If you are not satisfied with the School's decision and think you have valid grounds, you can ask for the appeal to go to the Faculty within 10 working days.^[1]

External review

After the University's procedures are complete and a Completion of Procedures letter is issued, you can complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).^[1]

Check the deadline and your decision letter

You can appeal up to 20 working days after notification of your confirmed results or other decision you are appealing against. The 20 working days run from notification of that confirmed result or other decision. Read your letter and keep a copy. Check the date on the notification and identify the decision you want reviewed.

Use the right procedure first

The pages we read say you must use the Mitigating Circumstances Procedure or Change of Circumstances Policy in all possible cases. The University will not accept an appeal if you could reasonably have used that procedure or policy at the time you were affected by your circumstances. If that applies, you must explain why you could not use it then and provide supporting evidence. Check this before you build your appeal around circumstances.

Know the grounds

The pages we read list two grounds. One is that circumstances exist or existed affecting your performance of which, for a good reason, the relevant decision-making body may not have been made aware when its decision was taken, and which might have had a material effect on that decision. The other is a material administrative error or procedural irregularity in the assessment process, or in putting the regulations for your programme into effect, of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision you are appealing might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred. Match your reasons to one of these grounds. Give true evidence that supports your case.

Submit the online appeals form

Complete the online appeals form. It is sent to your School, or to the Doctoral Academy for research students.
Explain why you wish to appeal and include evidence to support your case.
If you submit late, explain why the appeal could not have been submitted sooner, and include evidence to support that explanation. Appeals submitted late without a good reason for the delay may not be considered. Keep copies of the form and every document you submit. You can seek independent advice on completing the appeal form from the Students' Union Advice Service, listed under Free help as The Advice Service. Read any instructions in your own letter as well.

What happens after you submit

The School or Doctoral Academy can alter the original decision or confirm it. It will advise you in writing of the decision and the reasons. Whether it alters or confirms the original decision, if you are not satisfied and think you have valid grounds, you can ask for the appeal to be progressed to the Faculty within 10 working days of being informed of the School's or Doctoral Academy's decision. After the University's procedures are complete and a Completion of Procedures letter is issued, you can complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). All students normally need to complete the University's procedures and be issued with a Completion of Procedures letter before they can take a complaint to the OIA.

Common questions

How long do I have to appeal a Manchester assessment board decision?

You can appeal up to 20 working days after notification of your confirmed results or other decision you are appealing against. If you submit late, explain why the appeal could not have been submitted sooner and include evidence; appeals submitted late without a good reason for the delay may not be considered.

What grounds can I use for an academic appeal at Manchester?

The pages we read list two grounds. One is that circumstances exist or existed affecting your performance of which, for a good reason, the relevant decision-making body may not have been made aware when its decision was taken, and which might have had a material effect on that decision; the other is a material administrative error or procedural irregularity in the assessment process, or in putting the regulations for your programme into effect, of such a nature as to cause significant doubt whether the decision might have been different if the error or irregularity had not occurred.

Where do I submit the appeal?

Complete the online appeals form, which is sent to your School, or the Doctoral Academy for research students. You must explain why you wish to appeal and include evidence to support your case.

What if I could have used mitigating circumstances at the time?

The pages we read say you must use the Mitigating Circumstances Procedure or Change of Circumstances Policy in all possible cases. The University will not accept an appeal if you could reasonably have used that procedure or policy at the time you were affected by your circumstances, and if relevant you must explain why you could not do so then and provide supporting evidence.

Sources

Academic Appeals Procedure, The University of Manchester. Checked 3 November 2026.

General information, not legal or migration advice. This page can't assess your case and doesn't promise any outcome. If the university's current page or your own letter says something different, that applies. If you hold a student visa and the outcome could change your enrolment, a regulated immigration adviser or an immigration solicitor can look at your own situation.