The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) was set up as an independent body to investigate student complaints. Anyone registered as a student, or within three months of graduating, can submit a complaint - so long as all University procedures have been exhausted.

The OIA will hear complaints about a wide range of issues where a University has failed to act or has made an omission.

These include: any final decision of the university, a service provided by the university, teaching and facilities, student accommodation, research supervision, welfare, discrimination, bullying and harassment, placements, maladministration, procedural irregularities, unfair practices, disciplinary matters and fitness to Practise issues.

The OIA cannot look at concerns involving: admissions, academic judgment, student employment, matters which have already been considered by a court or tribunal and complaint that are frivolous or vexatious.

For more information on complaints that the OIA can and cannot look at, please click here.

What can we do?

Our Advisors can offer support to students presenting a complaint to the OIA. You must have completed all stages of the University's complaints or appeals procedures before you can approach the OIA and you can prove this by getting a completion of procedures letter from the University.

The Advice Service can help you prepare an application to the Independent Adjudicator even if we have not been involved in your case up to that point.