User guide: Case Creator

You may find it useful to gather this information to hand before you start.

• Have you attempted to resolve your issue locally?
• The date on which the formal assessment board decision was confirmed.
• The module(s) or outcome (e.g. your degree classification) that you are appealing against.
• Are you a Taught Student or Postgraduate Researcher?
• The ground(s) for your appeal (selected from a list of permitted grounds).
• A brief summary of your concern.
• Your desired outcome from submitting this case.
• Your details such as first name, last name, email address and SID number.
• Do you have a supporter who you would like to be copied into correspondence about your case?
• Supporter's name and email address.

The onus is on you (the student) to present sufficient supporting information for your case and only what is relevant to your grounds of appeal.

You must provide all the supporting information that you consider most relevant to your case, within two weeks of submitting your case via our Case Creator. Any information not provided at this stage may not be considered when we make a decision.

A list of potential supporting information is provided below. This list is not exhaustive. Please note that where evidence is not in English, an official translation must also be provided, we cannot accept or review evidence which has not been translated into English.

Academic Appeal cases:

• A brief summary of your key points – explain why you are requesting an academic appeal
• Your desired outcome
• Copies of relevant email correspondence
• Social media chat or text message screenshots
• Photographs
• Video or audio recordings – The university will not accept covert recordings as supporting information. Please note that secretly recording people is not advisable, and may violate privacy rights. Secret recording could result in a breach of the University’s Conduct Regulations. If you feel the need to record, it’s best to ask for permission first.
• CCTV footage.
• Medical evidence (GP fit notes, appointment notices, medical letters etc).
• Supporting statement from a friend, religious leader etc to verify your circumstances, if applicable.
• Timeline – particularly useful for Postgraduate Research appeals, to understand the chronology of events

It is important to make sure the original date and time is visible on items you wish to submit in support of your academic appeal so we can understand how this relates to your assessment(s) and circumstances.

Before deciding whether to make an academic appeal you should talk to your School to ensure that you understand the reasoning for the decision that you wish to appeal against.

In certain circumstances, Student Cases may not need to be involved (for example, if the School acknowledges that an administrative error has occurred). Speaking with your School first may resolve the issue without the need for an appeal.

Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that all relevant information and evidence is uploaded within 1 week of submitting your case to via our Case Creator. Any information that is left out cannot be included later unless there is a good reason as to why it was not available earlier.

You'll be asked the following questions when creating a complaint in Case Creator.

You may find it useful to gather this information to hand before you start.

• Have you attempted to resolve your issue locally?
• Does your complaint relate to something that happened in the past 12 months?
• Please indicate the ground(s) on which you wish to complain [select from pre-set options]
• Who is your complaint about? [if you are reporting harassment, bullying or victimisation]
• Tell us about your case
• Your preferred first name
• Your surname
• Please enter your student ID number
• Your personal email address
• Do you have a supporter who you would like to be copied into correspondence about your case?
• Supporter's name
• Supporters email address

The onus is on you (the student) to present sufficient supporting information to warrant investigation of your case.

You must provide all the supporting information that you consider relevant to your case within two weeks of submitting your case via our Case Creator. Any information not provided at this stage may not be considered when we make a decision.

A list of potential supporting information for complaints is provided below. This list is non exhaustive. Please note that where evidence is not in English, an official translation must also be provided.

• A summary of your key points of concern (please keep this concise, a maximum of 4 pages) and your desired outcome.
• Copies of relevant email correspondence.
• Witness Statements – You can provide names of witnesses but please do not provide witness statements yourself, the University may choose to obtain a witness statement from a relevant party independently.
• Social media chat or text message screenshots.
• Photographs.
• Video or audio recordings – The university will not accept covert recordings as supporting information. Please note that secretly recording people is not advisable, and may violate privacy rights. Secret recording could result in a breach of the General University Disciplinary Regulations. If you feel the need to record, it’s best to ask for permission first.
• CCTV footage.
• Medical evidence (doctors notes, etc).
• Maps and plans.
• Information held by third parties which you obtain.

Generally, issues are most easily resolved if they are raised at the time they first occur and with the person(s) directly involved.

Often, issues relating to your School can be resolved by discussing them with a relevant staff member, your personal tutor, or an appropriate course representative.

Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that all relevant information and evidence is uploaded within 2 weeks of submitting your case to via our Case Creator. Any information that is left out cannot be included later unless there is a good reason as to why it was not available earlier.

Once you submit your case, you'll be given access to a SharePoint folder. Here's what to do.

How to Upload Files 

1. Click the direct link to your SharePoint folder.
2. Your folder will open in your web browser.
3. To upload files, click the **Upload** button near the top of the page.
4. Choose **Files** to upload individual documents or **Folder** to upload an entire folder.
5. Browse your computer for the file(s) you want to upload and select them.
6. Your files will begin uploading automatically. A progress indicator will appear.
7. Once uploaded, your files will appear in the folder list. You’re all set!
8. Close your browser and return to your email to complete the final step.
    

Additional Tips 

You can drag and drop files directly into the folder instead of using the Upload button. 

SharePoint automatically saves and syncs your uploads—no need to click Save. 

• We will process your personal data in line with the University Student Privacy Notice.
• The personal data you provide in this form will be used for the administration and delivery of Student Cases services, which is part of delivering the Student Contract.
• We will keep your data for as long as you use the service, and for six years after you have left the University.
• We will not share information or speak to your parents/guardian or supporters about you without your explicit permission. Our Case Creator has a separate consent process for you to give permission for this.
• In certain exceptional circumstances, such as where there is an immediate and serious threat to your personal safety, or the safety of others, we may disclose your information without your consent.
• We may share your personal information with third parties where required by law, where it is necessary to administer the contract with you or where we have an expectation to uphold the public interest or other legitimate interest in doing so. This may include sharing information about your case with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) or with the University's insurers or auditors. In doing so, we will seek to share the minimum amount of information necessary to fulfil the purpose.