Complaints
If you have a complaint about a University matter, the Proctors can investigate your concerns and provide redress. But please note that the Proctors cannot intervene in internal college matters.
If you are dissatisfied with (say) some aspect of your course or research supervision, or the way you have been treated by a University service such as a library, your first step should be to:
- make a complaint locally, e.g. to the course organiser, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of Undergraduate Studies, or the manager of the University service concerned;
- you may take advice from your Senior Tutor, Tutor for Graduates or College Advisor.
If you remain dissatisfied after your complaint has been dealt with locally, then you can:
- make a written complaint to the Proctors. You can take confidential advice about the procedures from the Clerk to the Proctors before submitting your written complaint.
Complaints about the conduct of University examinations (sometimes called 'academic appeals') are dealt with slightly differently. Students must not contact their examiners direct with queries or complaints.
- Taught-course students should discuss their concerns with a college officer (e.g. Senior Tutor) who can then forward them to the Proctors.
- Research students should write direct to the Proctors at the Proctors' Office, University Offices, Wellington Square, OX1 2JD.
The Proctors deal with complaints and academic appeals under a set Code of Practice, details of which are referred to in the Essential information for students and Council Regulations 6 of 2003
A taught-course student who is dissatisfied with the Proctors' decision about a request for an alternativel examination arrangement has a right of appeal to the Council's Educational Committee (details available form Senior Tutors)