1% off a 1st - is it possible to appeal?

[earlymorningtea]

DD has got 69% overall - 70% is a first. She has suffered severe migraines throughout her course and is also dyslexic (but has received extra time). Does she have any grounds for an appeal? She has been trying to contact her supervisor but has not had a response.

I don't think most universities would give 69 without spending a lot of thought on it. It likely won't be an accident, or a coincidence of marks. For example, some places will require any paper falling within sight of a first to be re-read by a third marker.

I think I would be slightly uncomfortable with the idea that she might appeal because she's very close to a first. TBH, if she felt the migraines disadvantaged her, she should have tried to get a doctor's note before the marks came out.

TBH, if she felt the migraines disadvantaged her, she should have tried to get a doctor's note before the marks came out.

With hindsight she should have done - for several years she has had 3 to 4 migraines a week - last year her doctor was very concerned as she had symptoms of severe sleep deprivation such as delayed reflexes (the pain from the migraines prevent her from sleeping) hence requesting an MRI and the discovery that she has quite severe scarring on her brain. Migraines have been so much part of her life since she was a child that she has just got used to carrying on as best she can.

DD looked into this. The procedure for mitigating circumstances was well documented at her uni and, crucially, action needs to be taken before the results. If the criteria fit and there was sufficient evidence there did seem to be some discretion.

It seems a shame to dwell on that 1st though, taking the shine off what is a brilliant achievement.

That's really tough, early.

Just to say - my experience is the same as others in that she should have declared her circs before the marking and degree classification, but that a high 2(1) degree is a great achievement and will make no difference in the long run.

But also, that there is something to be lost in an appeal. If you are appealing your degree classification, you can't graduate in the summer because your degree can't be awarded until the classification is confirmed. So an appeal would delay graduation, which is often a problem in that students want to graduate with their friends and cohort! It's why it's wise only to appeal where there is a good chance of success and where the change in outcome really matters to you, and it's also why a good exam board will consider the likelihood of a successful appeal during their deliberations - because it's in nobody's interests for an appeal to go ahead.

I like bikerunski (and I think from memory in a similar subject) got 69.4%. I was offered a viva and ended up with a first. I can say that it hasn't affected my career in any way, every job I have had and every move I have made would have been absolutely fine with a 2:1

She has suffered severe migraines throughout her course and is also dyslexic (but has received extra time)

For a dyslexic student, she's done really well. But ...

She's already had mitigation for dyslexia. She can't double-dip.

If the migraines had an impact on her marks during her degree, why did she not raise the issue then & there? Most universities require students to tell us at the time when they think their performance has been affected by health or personal circumstances.

The way mitigation works at my university (she'll need to look at the regulations for hers) is that for specific time-limited conditions - such as migraine - we look at the results at around the time the student gives us documentation that they were unable to work at their best level due to their condition eg a migraine.

We look to see whether the achieved result is out of line with other results when not affected.

So the Examiners may well have done this (but not if she didn't tell them about migraines at the time) and agreed that the condition did not affect her specific mark, in relation to the overall run of marks. Maybe she is a student whose achievement is generally assessed at somewhere between 65 and 72 and overall, so the average (with weightings for Final Year "exit velocity" etc) is 69%. Close but not quite there.

Sorry, but she really cannot bring up a specific medical condition simply because she doesn't like her result. And there is no way she can question academic judgement.

I wouldn't. Not sufficient grounds.

You can't argue migraines AFTER the event.

And although just 1%, over the course of a year, that relates to quite a few marks.

It's frustrating, but that's it.

I got 69.80 and 85% for my dissertation.
I was waiting for surgery and spent the last year of my course on strong medication.
I didn't appeal because I thought tbh, the .20% was never going to change my life.
There are going to be lots of people in the same boat.
Does she want to appeal?

And from what you say of her results in detail - they'll get her on to a good MA course. It's unfortunate she didn't tell anyone about the migraines in her 2nd year.

But even had she informed her university about the migraines, her results still may not have been different. In determining whether student achievement/performance has been affected, we look at each specific assessment in relation to specific illnesses.

What your daughter may need to do during her MA is have a chat with the university's disabilities people about how the migraines more generally affect her ability to perform at the highest level of her ability. More akin to the more general mitigation she already has for dyslexia.

But an overall mark of 69% is really excellent. She won't lose opportunities because of it. Particularly if her migraines are now managed more effectively.

I have seen many students through the experience of just missing a degree classification. I try to help them see that they should be celebrating what they have achieved not mourning what they have just missed. The students in the middle of the 2.1 band are always happier than those right at the top, which is so sad. Happiest of all are those on 60.0%. It is a huge disappointment (I say that as someone with a 2.1 as well, although I was just pleased I didn't get a third at the time) but also a huge achievement. In many ways the days when nobody knew exactly what mark they had, just the classification were easier, much less angst and what ifs.

2.1 is enough to get into an Masters at prestigious universities; none that I know of specify a first only as entry criteria.

Has she had a viva? Have her department put out the viva lists yet and have these marks been seen by the external examiner?

petals, plenty of universities make a first the criterion for funding.

Plenty of universities don't hold vivas.

Funding is different to being admitted to the course though, LRD, and that's what OP's daughter seemed to be concerned about.

Yep, funding decisions are different, but not necessarily based on grades alone; work experience etc. does come into it (I am at a "prestigious" university. Our funding is definitely not reserved for first class students only.

Admission is based on a degree mark above 2.1 usually, although this is sometimes waived for a student if they have other qualities or experience that would suit the department.

How did she do in her first year? If she got firsts then, it may help your case.
I haven't heard appeals working from anecdotal evidence though.

Thank you everyone - she is home now and whilst she is annoyed about just missing a first, she has got over her disappointment. Her DF and I are both very proud of her and looking forward to her graduation.

I also missed by 1% nearly 30 years ago.

Had actually not thought about it in over 20 years until I read your post.

Wanted to offer reassurance by saying
it has not held me back at all. I have an excellent Job in an international company and my salary is extremely generous (into 6 figures).

Also I would put her results, particularly for dissertation etc on her CV.

I was close to a first as well. It's really annoying to be so close, but it hasn't held me back.

Your DD can speak to the uni, she's got nothing to lose.