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Please follow these steps. See also our helpful tips and checklist.

Did you know?

We run special workshops for students’ unions about the OIA (see News & Events).

Step 1

Download the Scheme Application Form or you can contact us by email, post or telephone and request one. Alternatively, your University/Higher Education College or Student Union should have application forms.

Step 2

Complete the Scheme Application Form carefully. You should explain on the Scheme Application Form what you think the University/Higher Education College has done wrong, how that has affected you and what you would like done about your complaint. Please include relevant information and stick only to the relevant issues.

Step 3

Attach your Completion of Procedures Letter and copies of all relevant documentation to the Scheme Application Form. You will also need to include a timetable of events. You should keep copies of everything you send to us.

Step 4

Sign the Scheme Application Form and send it to us within 3 months of the date of the Completion of Procedures letter.

Once you have submitted your application form, you should receive an acknowledgement from us within 14 days (28 days from overseas). If you do not receive an acknowledgement you should contact us again.

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Helpful tips about bringing a complaint to the OIA

  1. Read our Guide to check that your complaint is about something we can look at under our Rules.
  2. Provide as much relevant information as possible using the Scheme Application Form and remember the three month time limit. Do not send in duplicates or irrelevant information.
  3. Explain concisely what you think the University/Higher Education College has done wrong and how it has affected you.
  4. Tell us what you would like to be done about it – be realistic - we cannot change your grades or your degree although we can ask the University to look at certain things.
  5. Please highlight important sections of the regulations or documents and keep copies of everything you send us as we don’t normally return them.
  6. Please put all your documents in date order (newest correspondence at the front of the file).
  7. All documents sent to us need to be photocopied so please do not put anything in plastic sleeves.
  8. Don’t forget to sign your Scheme Application Form.
  9. Please be patient, your complaint will not be resolved immediately, on average it will take approximately 6 months.
  10. Remember that we are independent and we are therefore unable to give you advice or discuss the merits of your matter with you.
  11. Please do not send scanned documents over two pages long via email or long faxes.

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Checklist

  1. Is your complaint eligible under our Rules?
  2. Have you completed the University’s internal complaints procedures?
  3. Have you obtained a Completion of Procedures Letter from your University?
  4. Have you completed a Scheme Application Form and sent it to us within three months of the issue of the Completion of Procedures Letter?

If you require any further information on who can complain and what you can complain about please see our FAQs page.

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