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Doing a PhD… Thinking about it… Listen up!

by admin in University Complaints
Tags: Education Law

Having the opportunity, not to mention the academic ability, to do a PhD can be a wonderful experience. For many students they spend years submerged in their area of interest developing a real expertise in the field. Most have the opportunity to learn from learned academics that help guide, steer and support their learning in a very proactive way.

But what about the students that come to me after years of frustrated studying only to make no or little progress? What about the students who have supervisors preoccupied with their own academic progression to really invest the time and effort into the student’s learning? What about those navigating the politics that can be a mine field in their Faculty of choice? What about the students who spend years studying only to be told at the eleventh hour that their work is not good enough for a PhD?

Over the years I have been approached by more and more PhD students who have become disappointed with the level of support and backing from either their supervisor, or the Faculty, or in the worst cases both. I do not believe this level of dissatisfaction has increased over the years, I just think students have found a source to air their annoyance through.

It has been really hard to shift the mind-set that speaking up, in a well-articulated manner, will not necessarily jeopardise your positon within the Faculty. I have been astounded by the deliberate and unashamed disregard some Faculties have towards University Regulations. I have seen students who have been offered supervisors who are aboard with no idea of when or if they will be returning, supervisors with no expertise in the students’ area of study,  no supervisors for extended periods of study, no feedback, no assistance with ethical clearance or guidance and the list goes on. How is anybody expected to succeed in such an environment? Is it any wonder then that they come to me having failed their Viva…

If it does not feel right, then maybe it just is not right. When you think about the levels of fees involved in this area of study, it is important that you do not let uneasy matters ride along for years, whilst the University rack up the fees.

There are always policies and procedures in place; it is just getting the University to follow them that can be the issue. I cannot stress enough the importance of a student feeling empowered to challenge the University if things just are not as you would expect. I have found over the years that Universities have been amenable to my involvement because it helps create that barrier to get things fixed for the better of all involved. I have also noticed, in most cases, that Universities do actually what you to be successful in your academic progression, they want you to be able to tell others about what a great University they are if nothing else…

What to do if you fail an exam or assignment.

by admin in Academic Appeal, University Complaints

What you need to know about Appealing

If can happen to the best of us, anyone can have an off day or two and before you know it, its impacted your whole future. If you need to appeal a university decision this is what you need to know –

1. Know your deadline

Act fast because I can guarantee you your deadline will be short. The deadline for appealing should at the very least be on the letter telling you have failed in the first instance, if not check the regulations. Still cannot find it? Call the Academic Registry and get them to tell you, via email preferably.

2. Get advice

Once you know the deadline the next thing to do is get legal advice. Of course I am going to say go to a lawyer, better still come to me….But the reason I say this, all too often I have seen students do it themselves or go to their Student Advisor and end up missing the relevant points and making a mess of it. You will save yourself a lot of heartache (and money) if you get good solid legal advice from the outset. We know what we are looking for, what is relevant and how to phrase the appeals. What you may think is not significant could be crucially important and often what students think is relevant I have found, through experience, is not that pertinent to their appeal.

3. Read the Regulations

There will be specific grounds that you can appeal on; you need to make sure you fall within those grounds. Cases can be won on procedural irregularities, you will only know if one has occurred if you read and understand (the hard part) the regulations.

4. Collate evidence

From the moment you decide to appeal you need to make sure you start collating all the evidence that needs to be attached to the appeal. Evidence can be Doctor’s notes, death certificates, email correspondence between you and a tutor, statements, think carefully about what evidence that will enhance your appeal.

5. Articulate

Your submission needs to very well-articulated, focusing on the strong elements of your case. Be clear, concise and focused.

6. Unsuccessful – what next?

If your appeal fails, that does not mean it is the end of the matter. On some occasions universities have further rights of appeal. Or if you get a completion of procedures letters you can go to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). Just because the university say it “ain’t gonna happen“, does not mean it’s not going to happen…..probably good to get some legal advice again at this stage. If you were savvy enough to instruct a solicitor already, they will advise you at this stage of what to do next!

Just remember that universities get it wrong just as much as they get it right. Do not assume that just because the university said it, that the university is right.

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