Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Brunel University
Brunel University referred the student to a disciplinary panel to consider an allegation that he had provided forged medical evidence to support an academic appeal. The University suspended consideration of the academic appeal pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
University of Westminster
A student at the University of Westminster was found to have forged evidence to an academic appeal against withdrawal for lack of academic progress. The University rejected the appeal on the basis of fraudulent evidence and because it had been submitted out of time. It informed the student that the appeal would be referred to a disciplinary panel as it broke the Student Code of Conduct.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Open University
A student at the Open University complained that he had not been given adequate notice of changes to the postgraduate Social Sciences programme. The withdrawal of an MSc qualification entailed the cancellation of several modules, which meant that beyond a certain date the student would be unable to gain the credits he needed to complete the original qualification he hoped to achieve. Other MSc options remained available to him.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Glyndwr University
A student at Glyndwr University complained about a number of aspects of her experience at the University. The University upheld two aspects of her complaint, relating to accommodation and to pastoral care. It offered financial compensation for accommodation difficulties as a gesture of good will.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Birmingham City University
A student at Birmingham City University complained about the quality, content and delivery of his course. The course materials and core communications were delivered through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The University considered each of the issues he raised. The student’s difficulties appeared to arise from his misunderstanding of the extent to which the course relied on the VLE. He missed the induction programme and several sessions of the course before finally withdrawing.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Aston University
A student at Aston University was withdrawn from his course after failing all but one of the modules. The University gave him the opportunity to submit late extenuating circumstances. His appeal against withdrawal was upheld on the basis that he re-started the course and paid the full fees. The student complained to us, stating that he wished to be held liable for only half the fees.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
University of Portsmouth
A student at the University of Portsmouth complained about the content and quality of her course, which she felt ‘did not fulfil the standards’ she would have expected.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
University of Chester
A student at the University of Chester complained that half the modules on his course related to a subject he did not wish to study. He subsequently withdrew from the course and complained further that he remained liable for fees.
Public interest case May 2015 | Justified
University of Wales (federal)
We received a complaint from a student who was attending a College to study for a degree awarded by the University of Wales. Under the terms of the agreement between the University and the College, the University was responsible for the academic standards of the course, and for considering complaints about the course.
Public interest case May 2015 | Not Justified
Cardiff Metropolitan University
A student at Cardiff Metropolitan University complained that she was charged for 40 weeks accommodation although she moved out after teaching on her course finished earlier than on many other courses.
