Appeals process

Where an applicant to any course of study offered by the University is dissatisfied with a decision of the University relating to the individual's admission to that programme, they may avail of the following appeals process:

1. The applicant shall submit a written appeal, clearly outlining the grounds for appeal, to the relevant Admissions Office within seven working days of notification of the decision.

2. The appeal shall be forwarded to an Admissions Appeals Committee once convened by the relevant Head of department/school or nominee. The Admissions Appeal Committee will comprise three faculty nominees who were not involved in the decision to which the appeal relates. A meeting of the Admission Appeals Committee should take place within one calendar month of the date of receipt of the written appeal, and a reasoned decision will be issued.

3. In the event that the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Admissions Appeals Committee, they can make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The applicant may make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (“WRC”) if they believe that they have been discriminated or unlawfully treated in respect of their application.  (Before making a complaint to the WRC, the applicant must notify the relevant Admissions Office and provide the opportunity to respond.

Appeals will only be considered where one or more of the following grounds apply.

A. Procedural/Admin Error

(1) The published admissions process was not correctly followed.

Examples:

• Required documentation, submitted by the applicant, by the deadline, was overlooked.
• Qualification was incorrectly converted.
• Failure to recognise prior learning under the University’s RPL Policy.
• Incorrect entry requirements were applied.

(2) An error occurred in recording, processing or communicating information.

Examples:

• Data entry error.
• Incorrect qualification result recorded.
• Document uploaded but not attached to the application.

B. Additional Relevant Information

Significant information existed prior to the decision deadline but was unavailable or not considered due to circumstances outside the applicant's control.

Examples:

• Official examination amendment.
• Corrected examination result.

C. Exceptional Circumstances

Documented circumstances that may have materially affected the application process.

Examples:

• Serious illness.
• Bereavement.
• Significant documented disruption to examinations.

D. Equality, Inclusion and Accessibility

Where an applicant believes that a decision or aspect of the admissions process was adversely affected by a failure to reasonably accommodate a disability, or by discrimination contrary to equality legislation.

Examples:

• A reasonable accommodation that had been approved and communicated was not implemented during the admissions process.
• Disability-related documentation submitted by the applicant was not considered where it was relevant to the assessment process.
• An applicant was unable to access a required element of the admissions process due to an accessibility barrier.
• Information provided by the applicant relating to a disability or protected characteristic was incorrectly recorded or processed.
• An applicant believes they experienced less favourable treatment on one of the protected grounds covered by equality legislation.

Note: An appeal under this ground must relate to the admissions process or decision-making process. It cannot be used to challenge academic entry requirements, selection criteria, or admissions policies that are applied equally to all applicants.

Process:

• See Student Hub Online (TOPdesk) for information on Rechecks of Approved Grades.

Appeal Process: 

• Please see Student Hub Online for the Appeal of Approved Grade form.
• Further information is available in the Handbook Academic Regulations and Procedures, Section 4.2.3.10 (available through the UL Policy Hub).

Final External Appeal / Complaint process

• If you remain unhappy with our response then you can refer a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman​.

Process: 

• (Readmission, internal transfers, leave of absences, exemptions, alternative to external academic placement, appeal academic status)
• Please see Student Hub Online for further information on Student Status Committee Applications.

Appeal process: 

• The decision of the Student Status Committee in relation to appeals are final.
• Further information is available in the Handbook Academic Regulations and Procedures, Section 4.3.4 (available through the UL Policy Hub).

Final External Appeal / Complaint Process

• If you remain unhappy with our response then you can refer a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman​.

Appeal Process

• I-grade decisions are final. 
• Further information is available in the Handbook Academic Regulations and Procedures, Section 4.2.3 (available through the UL policy hub).

Final External Appeal / Complaint Process

• If you remain unhappy with our response then you can refer a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman​.

Appeal process: 

• Research Progression Appeal Panel (PGR-3b) via Head of Department.

Final External Appeal / Complaint Process

• Ombudsman | University of Limerick

The Student Complaints Policy and Procedure, available on the UL Policy Hub, is in place for all non-academic judgements. 

• A ‘Complaint’ is defined as any expression of dissatisfaction with the standard of service provided by UL or with the actions or lack of actions by UL or members of staff. 
• The Student Complaints Policy and Procedures may not be used to challenge academic judgement concerning performance and progress or to appeal against the decision of an Examination Board.