Appeals and complaints (for applicants)
The University of Sheffield is committed to providing a fair, efficient and transparent admissions service. If you have a problem with an admissions decision or with how your application has been handled, we're usually able to resolve it amicably and without having to use the formal process.
Stage 1: Feedback
If you need feedback on one of our decisions, please email your request to us at admissions@sheffield.ac.uk, including your name, your UCAS ID or Sheffield applicant number and the course you applied for. We aim to respond within 10 working days.
Once feedback has been issued, we may not be able to respond to additional requests for information on the same application.
Stage 2: Submitting a formal appeal or complaint
If you remain unhappy after receiving feedback, the University operates a formal Appeals and Complaints Procedure for Applicants.
Appeals and Complaints Procedure for Applicants (PDF, 120KB)
If you want to submit an appeal or complaint, please use this form (available as both a PDF download and a Word document):
Appeals and Complaints form for applicants (PDF, 83KB)
Appeals and Complaints form for applicants (Word, 72KB)
- Appeals are made against specific admissions decisions (for example a decision not to make an offer)
- Complaints concern any aspect of the consideration of an application by the University
The grounds on which appeals and complaints can be made are set out in the procedure, but please note that appeals/complaints cannot be made against academic or professional judgement.
Recourse to the formal Appeals and Complaints Procedure should normally only take place after a request for feedback has been made.
Stage 3: Requesting a Case Review
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of an appeal or complaint, you can request a Case Review from our Deputy Director for Admissions and Access. You can only request a Case Review on one or more of the following grounds:
- There was a material procedural irregularity that rendered the process leading to the decision taken in respect of the appeal or complaint unfair
- Material that you could not reasonably have been expected to produce at the time of the decision taken in respect of the appeal or complaint casts substantial doubt upon the appropriateness of that decision
- The decision taken as a result of an appeal or complaint was manifestly unreasonable
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