7.7. Admission Complaints Procedure

Introduction

294      LSC and collaborating University partners are committed to providing fair and efficient admissions and selection of applicants for all programmes.  Applicants will not be disadvantaged in any way because they believe that they have a complaint and consequently use this Admission Complaints Procedure.

295      The University, in discussion and agreement with LSC, reserves the absolute right to determine the procedures used in the admission and selection of students for all programmes and to delegate responsibility for the handling of consideration of an application for admission to a University programme and for consideration of the handling of a Complaint related to admission or admission procedures

296      This Admission Complaints Procedure and any decisions made under the Admission Complaints Procedure do not:

·       Automatically give any legal rights to the complainant, or

·       Place any obligation on LSC to pay compensation either in respect of a decision made related to the admission of an applicant to an LSC Programme or for a breach of principles, procedures or policies.

·       Or reverse any decision related to the rejection of an application for study at LSC on any programme offered by either School 

Grounds for an Admission Complaint

297      An Admission Complaint is a serious concern about the admissions or selection process that affected the complainant’s application. Within LSC procedures an Admission Complaint regarding a decision not to offer a place may only be submitted:

·       On grounds of procedural irregularity, or

·       If there is new information which may have affected the decision and good reason why this information was not made available at the time of application,

·       If there is evidence of any action or decision which is inconsistent with LSC's admission principles, diversity, or principles of equal opportunity.

298      LSC reserve the absolute right to reject applications for entry to a programme on the following grounds;-

·       That the programme is deemed an inappropriate choice of academic programme for the applicant 

·       That the programme is at an inappropriate academic  Level for the applicant (i.e. that the applicant will not be capable of pursuing the programme successfully, or meeting the level of commitment required for study on the programme, or that the applicant is likely to not successfully be able complete the programme)

·       That the applicant is deemed to not have the ability or competency to meet the academic requirements, including the assessment requirements of the programme for which they have applied

·       That the applicant is not able to demonstrate that they are able to meet the financial commitments of study required by the programme

·       That the applicant is unable to meet the visa requirements and UKVI regulatory requirements for attendance and study on the programme 

Submission of an Admission Complaint

299      Any Admission Complaint must be made on an individual basis by the applicant.  Complaints made by a third party will not be considered. Applicants will raise an Admission Complaint in writing (which may be in e mail) with the International Development Manager or Director of Marketing or nominated senior member of LSC staff within ten working days of the sending of the rejection to the applicant concerned. (The rejection may also be sent by e mail and working days will be working days as defined within the UK time zone and will commence from the UK time of sending the rejection notification) 

300      Admission Complaints raised beyond this time scale will be deemed to be out of time and may be rejected by LSC. Other than in exceptional cases, an Admission Complaint will not be considered later than the earlier of:

·       Ten working days after the notification of rejection has been sent by LSC

·       The start date of the programme for which the applicant applied. 

301      The International Development Manager or the Director of Marketing or a nominated member of staff  will acknowledge receipt of the Admission Complaint in writing (by e mail if required).

Informal Resolution

302      Where possible, an Admission Complaint should be resolved informally within 10 working days from its receipt (based on the UK time of receipt of the complaint). Following receipt of an Admission Complaint, the International Development Manager or Director of Marketing, or other senior manager nominated by the CEO of LSC, will inform and consult with appropriate LSC staff and/or the complainant as required. The International Development Manager will provide a written response to the complaint based on this initial consultation and investigation.

Formal Resolution

303      If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the applicant through informal resolution, the applicant should then write formally to the LSC Registrar/Head of Quality by e mail if required). This correspondence should enclose copies of or refer to all previous correspondence; explain why the applicant remains dissatisfied; and what he/she hoped would be the outcome of the Admission Complaint.

304      The Registrar/Head of Quality will investigate the complaint with such relevant staff and/or third parties as he/she deems necessary, and reply in writing within 10 working days of the receipt of the correspondence from the applicant. The decision of the Registrar/Head of Quality will be considered final.

305      Where a complaint if not resolved and the applicant wishes to submit the complaint to the University they are first required to exhaust the LSC procedures prior to entering their complaint to the University