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University Retake Appeal

NAS77873

Hi,

my daughter has just failed her exam retakes. She will need to put in an appeal - she has been struggling with anxiety and depression, and was just recovering from COVID and a subsequent chest infection on the first sitting in November, so did not have the physical stamina to perform well. She was extremely upset at the failure, but as the work should have still been relatively fresh she decided to plough on with the retake despite suffering with an ear infection. And failed. In hindsight she should not have taken either exam as she was not fit, she has medical evidence she was receiving treatment. However she was so worried about the financial implications, she just ploughed on - she was clearly not mentally fit at this point. As her mother I am extremely worried about her having to withdraw from the course as her whole identity is wrapped up in this life path. She has been struggling throughout the pandemic due to lack of contact with support networks, although she has had successful placements in this time.

Advice welcome, particularly regarding the appeal.

  • in reply to NAS77873

    You are very welcome. I think that, from what I know from 34 years of work at universities, probably the worst scenario your daughter can expect is re-taking the year. 

  • in reply to Martin

    Thank you. Yes she is autistic and in the past the university have been helpful regarding DSA etc, at the moment she has shut down but has requested appeal documents, I'm trying to compile a list of the evidence she will need when she is in a position to talk. It is a challenging vocational degree, she has passed the last three years and has attended clinical placements,(likely could get good references) I think you're right - create a balanced appeal based on how she was disadvantaged but reflecting on all the successes.

    At this point we just want her to be able to continue on her chosen career path, however that happens.She has already repeated one year due to being hospitalised. Re-taking the year would be fine, but dependent on financial penalty (we will support as much as we can but not wealthy). I just worry that she has done so well she may never recover if it is lost.

    Cheers!

  • In the modern university it is very difficult to be expelled from a degree course. I take it that you want her to get a continuance into her her next year and not have to re-take a year? If it was her final year, it might be possible to get an aegrotat - an unclassified degree awarded, due to ill health.

    I presume that she is autistic. The advice I would give is quite common-sense, and I'm sure that you will have thought of it yourself. Gather together all the supporting evidence that your daughter was ill, during and in the run-up to the exams, especially from medical sources. If possible, also present evidence of what your daughter is academically capable of, when she is in good health. Universities are not inflexible and are staffed by human beings able to see when students have been disadvantaged. Also, given that your daughter is autistic, they will be alert to any possibility that they may be discriminating on the grounds of disability. Good luck!