Appealing your final result for research in another master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with honours

If you’re studying a bachelor’s degree with honours or a master’s degree¹ at AUT, find out what you should do if you need to appeal the final result for your thesis, dissertation or research project.

The content on this page is only a summary – you can find more details about this process in Part 6: Academic Appeals of the AUT Calendar.

_{1. There is a different appeals process for the Master of Philosophy and a separate process if you want to appeal a final grade for a course.}

When you can appeal your final result

You can appeal your final result if:

• You can present additional information that couldn't reasonably have been made available before the final result was approved and therefore couldn’t have been brought to AUT’s attention at the time.
• You can show new or additional evidence that there was a material irregularity in how the assessment was conducted, or in the procedures of the assessment board or board of studies. This means that AUT procedures were not followed, or an assessment was conducted in a way that you think disadvantaged you unfairly.

Being disappointed with your final result or needing a better result isn’t a valid reason to make an appeal.

You must submit your appeal to the relevant contact within one month of receiving the final result you want to appeal.

How to appeal your final result

If you need to appeal the final result for your thesis, you should fill in the Academic Appeal Form below and submit relevant evidence for your appeal.

Download Academic Appeal Form

Submit your appeal to the relevant contact within one month of receiving the final result you want appeal.

Before you submit your appeal

We encourage you to seek advice from AUTSA (the AUT Students' Association). They can guide you through the process, and explain what to expect and what evidence you should submit with your appeal.

Who to send your appeal to

To appeal a final result for your thesis, dissertation or research project, send your filled in Academic Appeal Form as well as any supporting evidence to the relevant contact person:

What happens next

After you have submitted the Academic Appeal Form, you can expect the following:

1. Your faculty will review your appeal application
2. There are two possible outcomes:
   • If your appeal meets the requirements, it will be sent it to the faculty appeals committee, which is chaired by the dean of your faculty or their nominee
   • If your appeal doesn't meet the criteria, you will receive a letter to let you know that your appeal has been declined
3. If your appeal meets the requirements, you will receive an email about the appeal procedures and will be invited to the faculty appeals committee meeting where you can make a submission to support your appeal. AUTSA can guide you with your submission
4. You can bring support to the faculty appeals committee, either an AUTSA member or another person of your choice
5. If you can't make the date of the committee meeting, your faculty will try to be flexible with dates but this isn't always possible. You can make a written submission if you can't attend
6. The faculty appeals committee will consider your appeal and submission. They can:
   • Uphold your appeal (agree with you)
   • Dismiss your appeal (not agree)
   • They may recommend a review of the outcome or a re-examination of your research component
7. You will be notified of the decision

How long this process takes depends on your faculty, the timing of the faculty appeals committee meeting and the complexity of your situation. Reach out to your faculty contact if you have questions while you're waiting.

If your appeal is dismissed, your faculty will provide advice on who you can talk to and what to do next. The decision of the faculty appeals committee is final.