Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised concerns about the way in which his resubmitted dissertation was assessed by the University of Edinburgh (the University). He also complained that the University had not updated their records with his up-to-date address.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the University failed to independently mark Mr C's resubmitted dissertation (not upheld);
- (b) Mr C had previously made a complaint against one of the examiners who marked his dissertation (not upheld); and
- (c) the University failed to timeously update their records of Mr C's address (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the University:
- (i) ensure that the Appeals Sub-Committee use clear language in their reports;
- (ii) consider whether it would be appropriate to clarify in the Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes that dissertations resubmitted after minor changes will not be independently marked; and
- (iii) apologise to Mr C for their failure to timeously update all of their records of his address when he informed them of his change of address.
The University have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.