Appealing a University decision
Macquarie University is committed to a transparent, equitable and consistent approach on decisions that affect students.
The University aims to make fair and equitable decisions and has established policies and procedures to ensure this happens.
The University makes a range of decisions affecting students, including:
- course admissions
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Special Consideration decisions
Read below for more information.
If you have been notified of a decision made by the University you are not satisfied with, you may be able to lodge an appeal.
Quick tip: not all University decisions can be appealed
Things to be mindful of before submitting an appeal:
Appeals must clearly identify how the procedure for dealing with your issue was unfair, and identify one or more the following grounds for appeal. For most decisions, the grounds are:
- the required procedure for making the decision was not followed;
- the decision was not based on the merits of the information available;
- the decision was not procedurally fair, ie.
- the decision maker had a bias, and/or
- you were not given an opportunity to respond to an allegation, and/or
- the reasons for the decision were not provided) to you; and/or
- new and relevant information has become available that was not able to be obtained at the time of the decision and which should be taken into consideration.
Academic Pause or Exclusion
Because we know that student's lives are complex, and studying can be challenging as a result, if you are placed on Academic Pause or Exclusion, there are special grounds available only for this situation:
- You can demonstrate with evidence that you experienced circumstances beyond your control that significantly impacted your ability to succeed in your enrolled units during the study periods concerned; and
- You can demonstrate with evidence that circumstances have changed sufficiently such that you will be able to succeed in their future enrolment in units.
- provide any relevant supporting documentation with your application
- submit your appeal within the given timeframe (see below)
10 working days
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Academic integrity breaches (Breach or penalty decisions, excepting Suspension or Exclusion)
- Enrolment
- Special Consideration
- Leave of Absence and Suspension of Studies
- Withdrawal including Withdrawal Without Penalty (WWP)
- Outcome of a Grade Appeal
- Note: this is to appeal the outcome of a grade appeal. Get more information on grade appeals.
15 working days of the published result date for your unit
- Grade appeal (final grades only). Get more information on grade appeals.
20 working days
- Academic Pause or Exclusion from studies under the Academic Progression policy
- Academic integrity breaches (Suspension or Exclusion penalties)
- Exclusion under the General Coursework Rules
- Fitness to practice requirements under the Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Termination of candidature (Higher Degree Research)
- Award of PhD, MPhil or MRes degree
- Research degree enrolment, leave of absence and withdrawal decisions under the Higher Degree Research Variations to Candidature Policy
- Notice of Intent to Report decisions issued for reasons of non-enrolment in units or non-payment of fees
To be eligible you must:
- demonstrate that you suffered substantial injustice as a result of the decision you are appealing
- provide supporting documentation with your application
- submit your appeal within the given timeframe