Complaints
What is the complaints process for?
We aim to provide all of our students with a high quality experience in the department, and we actively encourage feedback on all aspects of the student experience. If you wish to provide feedback, you can do so through our Student Voice mechanisms. We recognise that there may be occasions where expectations are not met, or our level of service has been significantly short of what is expected, and you may wish to submit a complaint.Students have the right to raise a complaint over any of the following issues and are encouraged to do so in a timely and constructive manner:
- the quality and standard of service provided by the University, including teaching and learning provision;
- failure to provide a service; unsuitable facilities or learning resources;
- inappropriate behaviour or treatment by a staff member, student or individual associated with the University (including contravening the University鈥檚 Dignity Principles, which includes harassment, bullying, and discrimination);
- failure of the University to follow an appropriate administrative or academic process.
Please note that complaints are separate from appeals.
How to make a complaint
Wherever possible, we aim to resolve straightforward complaints as quickly as possible. You are encouraged to raise any concerns directly with a relevant member of staff and should expect that member of staff to respond politely and respectfully.
However, should an informal process not resolve matters, or if the nature of the complaint is such that you feel you cannot approach the member of staff directly, then a formal approach may be required. The department follows the university's three-stage Student Complaints Resolution Pathway for handling complaints.
You may wish to seek support from your personal tutor during this process.
Stage 1: Frontline / Local Resolution
Complaints should initially be registered on a local level with the History department if possible, using our Student Complaint form. A member of staff in the department will investigate, and we aim to provide a response as soon as possible and within 20 university working days. If you find the response to be unsatisfactory, or the complaint is so complex or serious that a Stage 1 complaint is not appropriate, you should proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Formal Departmental Investigation and Resolution
Stage 2 formal complaints are submitted to the University, alongside any relevant documentation or evidence. The second stage of the complaints procedure may be used if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your Stage 1 complaint. Alternatively this stage can be used if the complaint is so complex or serious that a Stage 1 investigation would be inappropriate. The University will ask a senior member of the department to investigate, and a response will be provided within 30 university working days. Please see the university guidance for further information. If you find the response to be unsatisfactory, you should proceed to Stage 3.
Stage 3: Formal Institutional Review and Final Resolution
If you are unsatisfied with the response to your Stage 2 complaint, a Stage 3 review of your complaint response should be requested within 10 university days of the Stage 2 outcome, pending submission of the Stage 3 Formal Complaints form, alongside any relevant documentation or evidence. Please see the university guidance for further information.
Further Information and Support
Detailed information about the complaints process can be found on the University's Student Complaints page.
If you would like to speak to someone in the Department about the Complaints Procedure, please contact your personal tutor or the Academic Administrator.
If you have experienced bullying, harassment, discrimination, or any other form of behaviour misconduct, please visit the website and consider either reporting it anonymously, or speaking with an advisor. Disclosures can be made anonymously, or with details, by staff, students or visitors to the university.