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Common Awards (Theology, Ministry and Mission)
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Academic Complaints and Appeals

TEIs are expected to maintain a policy on how they handle complaints and appeals, which is reviewed annually by the TEI Management Committee, and approved by the University.

On these pages you can find information on the general principles and detailed procedures Durham University follows when dealing with Common Awards academic complaints and appeals.

Academic Complaints

Students registered on Common Awards programmes can make a complaint about the academic provision they receive at their TEI.

Matters that students can complain about can include (but are not restricted to):

  1. the arrangements for, or delivery of, teaching or assessment for a student's academic programme;
  2. the adequacy of supervision for modules that are a formal and assessed part of the academic programme;
  3. academic support;
  4. assessed placements that are a formal part of the academic programme;
  5. administrative or support services that relate to the academic programme;
  6. information or publicity in relation to the academic programme;
  7. the infrastructure for academic programmes, including learning resources and teaching spaces. 

The academic complaints process has 3 stages:

  • Stage 1 - Informal resolution within the students' institution
  • Stage 2 - Formal resolution within the students' institution
  • Stage 3 - Referral to Durham University (if the complaint cannot be resolved at TEI level)
Further information

Academic Appeals

Students registered on Common Awards programmes can request a formal review of an academic decision affecting that student, and can do this within 21 days of the notification of the decision.

There are two primary circumstances in which an academic appeal may be appropriate:

(a) that there might have been a serious error in the way in which the original decision was made;

(b) that there exists, or existed, circumstances affecting the student’s performance of which, for good reason, the Board of Examiners or Committee or Durham University Officer might not have been aware when the original decision was made.

Students may appeal against the following decisions:

(a) a confirmed decision of a Board of Examiners or the Examiners of a higher degree.

(b) a decision of a University Committee or a University officer on any academic matter affecting the student appealing (eg a decision regarding Academic Progress).

Matters of academic judgement cannot be appealed. 

Further information