Appeals Process for FETAC Courses

Appeals

This policy relates to FETAC accredited courses only. Learners are entitled to appeal any assessment process or assessment result. It is FETAC Policy that appeals should be made firstly to the provider (Local Appeals Process) and then to FETAC (National Appeals Process). In a case where a Learner feels disadvantaged by the local Appeals Process they may appeal the provider’s process to FETAC but not the assessment decision itself.

Appeals Form

Appeals to The Open College can be lodged using the The Open College Learners Appeals Submission Form and appeals to FETAC can be lodged using same. Appeals Forms can now be completed online - Please click here for the Online FETAC Appeals Form. Please note that FETAC will not accept appeals directly from learners and any appeal must be processed through the college.

The Open College,
Cornelscourt,
Dublin 18.

The Open College Appeals Procedures (Local Appeals Process)

The following procedures are in accordance with all The Open College Quality Policies. These procedures are subject to modification by the Directors of The Open College for updating or improvement purposes. Learners who wish to appeal a final grade must lodge their appeal to The Open College within 14 days of receipt of results. (An appeals form is available by contacting the college). If a request for appeal is not received within 14 days there is no means of appealing the grade and it shall constitute the final grade awarded to that learner. There is €30.00 appeal fee required to cover administration costs. The The Open College Appeals Process is a comprehensive two phase process;

Phase 1

• On receiving an application for appeal from a Learner the college will forward a copy of the learners course work including all tutor correspondence and assessment material to the following: Internal Verifier, Learners Tutor and an additional Tutor.
• The work will be reviewed against the stipulated assessment criteria, for accuracy and in respect of relevance to the cohort. The above parties must submit their findings within 14 days of receiving the Learners work. The findings will then be reported on to the Directors by the Internal Verifier and the proposed recommendations discussed and authorized.
• A feedback report will then be issued to the Learner detailing the findings of the Phase 1 review.

Phase 2

• In a situation where a Learner is not satisfied with the results of Phase 1 they may request further review of their course work.
• On receiving this request the college will forward a copy of the Learners course work including all tutor correspondence and assessment material to two 2 External Authenticators.
• The work will be reviewed against accuracy and relevance to the cohort. The above parties must submit their findings within 14 days of receiving the Learners work.
• The findings and recommendations will then be presented by the Internal Verifier at an Appeals Meeting and the outcome decided. A feedback report will then be issued to the Learner detailing the findings of the Phase 2 review.

Should a learner still request further action The Open College will then lodge an appeal on behalf of the Learner to FETAC. At this stage FETAC will not alter the grade or results of the Learner but will investigate the The Open College Assessment procedure.

FETAC Appeals Procedures (National Appeals Process)

The FETAC Appeals Procedure is a formal process that involves two stages. Following the submission of the Learners Appeals Submission Form including the €10.00 FETAC Appeals Fee the appeal will be made to FETAC by The Open College on behalf of the Learner. Appeals may be made to FETAC within 6 months from receipt of notification to provider and within 1 year of receipt of certification.

Stage 1

• Internal FETAC Review - At this stage FETAC may require further evidence from a Learner in relation to the appeal.

Stage 2

• Appeals Review Panel - Appointed to determine that the Learner has been treated fairly and that due process has been followed by the provider. The Panel may request to meet the Learner, who may be accompanied if required.

The outcome of the National Appeals Process will not alter a Learners grade however recommendations may be made to the provider for amendments to assessment processes.