Academic Advice

The University of Birmingham takes academic integrity very seriously. If you are accused of plagiarism or an exam irregularity, this will be formally investigated and if you are found to have committed the offence, you will be sanctioned. Click here for full information on student conduct at the University of Birmingham. We can advise you on procedure for the different stages of Student Conduct investigations and a Student Leader may be available to support you in a Conduct meeting.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the submission of formal academic work without properly citing or acknowledging the work of a third party using the correct standard of referencing.

Click here for further information on plagiarism and tips on how to reference correctly.

You should also refer to your Course Handbook for course-specific referencing requirements.

If your School have concerns that your work is plagiarised they will follow the procedure set out in the Code of Practice on Academic Integrity and you may be invited to a meeting to discuss further. You are entitled to attend a misconduct meeting with a “friend” (who can be a registered student, an academic staff member, Student Leader from the Students’ Association). One of our Advisors can advise you further on this process and arrange for a Student Leader to attend the meeting if requested by you.

Exam Irregularities

Exam irregularities are committed when students bring unpermitted material into an exam, fail to follow instructions, or create a disturbance during an exam. Click here for further information on exam conduct for students.

Students may be under a lot of pressure during the exam period. Please speak to your Student Wellbeing Officer if there is an issue impacting on your ability to study as there may be support available to you. Don’t risk a serious academic penalty by trying to gain an unfair advantage.

Academic Appeals give you the chance to appeal against a Board of Examiners progress decision. You must have valid grounds to submit an appeal and must provide evidence in support of your appeal. If you simply disagree with your marks, your appeal will not be considered.

Click here for full details of the appeals process, including the Code of Practice and guidance for students.

Please contact us as soon as you have your progress decision as you will have 10 working days to submit your appeal form and we can provide you with independent advice about the process.

If you are unhappy, disagree with or are not satisfied with any aspect of your course, study or teaching at the University of Birmingham, as a student you have a right to raise a concern or complaint.

There are two stages to a complaint – the informal stage and formal stage. You will need to complete a form for the formal stage of the complaint process and you have one month within which to raise a complaint from the date the incident occurred. For example, if the incident occurs on 1st November, you will need to submit your complaint form to the Complaints and Appeals team before the 1st December, otherwise it will not be considered unless you can prove you had a valid reason for not submitting the complaint within the time limit.

Click here for full details on the complaints process, including the Code of Practice and guidance for students. 

Please contact us for independent advice about this process.

Extenuating Circumstances is the process of informing your School of circumstances that have affected your studies at any point throughout the year. Depending upon the nature and severity of these circumstances your School may wish to take them into account when the Board of Examiners meet to decide what your progress decision should be.

Please see your Student Handbook for more information and speak to your Student Wellbeing Officer, who can advise you on the process.

Click here for full details on the complaints process, including the Code of Practice and guidance for students.

This is a process that is designed to ensure students at the University of Birmingham are meeting the highest professional standards for courses that lead to a professionally recognised qualification.

Please see your Student Handbook for more information and speak to your Student Wellbeing Officer, who can advise you on the process.

Click here for full details on the complaints process, including the Code of Practice and guidance for students.

There are many reasons why students may need to temporarily withdraw from University and their studies.

We can advise you on your options and help you make the decision that is best for you.

Click here for full details on the complaints process, including the Code of Practice and guidance for students.

If you are unhappy with your course, there is a possibility you can change or transfer your course. Changing course is a big step to take. You should always talk it through with someone to make sure that you are making the best decision for you, and that it is possible given time, course constraints and immigration regulations.

Please contact your School or Student Wellbeing Officer to discuss how this may impact on your ability to continue your studies.

Click here for further details on changing course and guidance for students

If you are not happy on your course or have a change of circumstances that makes it difficult for you to continue with your studies, you might be thinking about withdrawing from your programme. You should seek advice from your School and/or Student Wellbeing Officer immediately to discuss the consequences of withdrawing from your studies in order to make an informed decision.