General Policy
All applicants to University College Dublin are carefully assessed on the basis of published policies and procedures in line with UCD’s Terms and Conditions of Offer of Admission.
Applicants with concerns about the outcome of their application, should contact the relevant decision making authority in the first instance.
For graduate applicants this will be the School/College which has issued the decision. For undergraduate applicants the appeal will be the responsibility of the Director of Admissions and Enrolment Planning.
Following this, an applicant is entitled to appeal a decision where they feel that the assessment has not met these standards, in their individual case.
Submission of an appeal does not mean that an appeal will be granted.
The grounds for appeal that may be considered are:
| i) | Incorrect process; specific evidence of irregularity in the University Applications assessment process; | |
| ii) | Specified/stated grounds where the University’s decision was based on misinterpretation of data or information provided as part of the application process |
Appeals may be submitted only by the applicant. Appeals submitted by a third party will not be considered.
Appeals must show specific detail to support the grounds of appeal indicated on the form. If specific detail is not provided, the appeal cannot be assessed.
Where an appeal is deemed to be malicious or vexatious, or where false information is submitted, the appeal will not be considered and disciplinary or legal action may be taken as appropriate.
Procedure
If an applicant chooses to appeal, the request must comply with the following:
| 1 |
The appeal form must be received in writing (either e-mail or hard copy) within 20 working days of the date of the original decision stating how s/he considers the application to have been unfairly considered. |
| 2 | The appeal form should be accompanied by any relevant supporting documentation (submitted either as e-mail attachments or as hard copy). |
Appeal Assessment
The appeal will be considered by an appeal committee nominated by the relevant decision making authority. For graduate applicants this will be the School/College which has issued the decision. For undergraduate applicants the appeal will be the responsibility of the Director of Admissions and Enrolment Planning. The appeal will be considered impartially and, where possible* the committee will consist of staff who were not involved in making the original decision. The function of the appeals process is to ensure the rules are applied fairly and it cannot set aside the rules for applicants who appeal for special treatment.
- In the majority of cases the appeal will be assessed on the basis of the written submission alone.
- If necessary the applicant may be contacted for further information or to clarify points already raised.
- Unless exceptional circumstances arise (e.g. if requested further information/clarification has not been provided by the applicant) the decision relating to the appeal will be communicated to the applicant in writing (either e-mail or hard copy) within 20 working days of the receipt of the appeal.
- If the decision reached is not to the applicant’s satisfaction, a further appeal may be made, in writing, to the Registrar.
The decision of the Registrar will be considered final in all cases.
* Unit size may mean that this is not always possible.