Important: This article applies to standard (non-degree) apprenticeships. If you are on a degree apprenticeship (Advanced Programme), contact the Advanced Assessments team at [email protected] to be directed to the academic appeals process.
Understanding your result
We know it is disappointing when your Assessment Organisation (AO) result is not what you hoped for. Before you think about an appeal, speak to your Success Coach and go through your assessment report together. The report often answers the questions Apprentices have. Your Success Coach can explain what it means and what your options are.
What an appeal is
An appeal asks your Assessment Organisation (AO) to check whether your assessment was carried out properly and your grade was reached fairly. It is not a re-mark. Disagreeing with the assessor's judgement is not, on its own, grounds for an appeal.
What an appeal does not cover
An appeal does not cover the following situations:
Concerns about your training or programme delivery. Raise these through our complaints process. See How to Submit a Complaint at Multiverse.
A fail result where you would like another attempt. A resit or retake is usually the right route. Your Success Coach can talk you through this. See also If You Do Not Pass Your EPA.
Circumstances that affected you on the day. Raise these before or during your assessment through special considerations. If this applies to you, speak to your Success Coach as early as possible.
Grounds for an appeal
An Assessment Organisation (AO) considers an appeal where there is clear evidence of one or more of the following:
Procedural irregularity. The assessment was not carried out in line with the AO's procedures.
Incorrect application of the grading criteria. The published criteria were applied incorrectly to your evidence.
Bias or unfair treatment during the assessment.
Administrative decisions. For example, a decision on reasonable adjustments, special considerations, or a malpractice or maladministration outcome.
What to understand before you decide
Understand the following points before you decide to appeal:
Your grade can go up, stay the same, or go down. The AO reviews the decision in full.
You cannot submit new evidence. Only evidence from your original assessment is reviewed.
Programme and Success Coach feedback cannot be used as evidence. This feedback does not form part of the assessment.
Multiverse submits the appeal for you. AOs do not accept appeals directly from Apprentices, so we need your written approval.
What to do if you still believe you have grounds
If you believe you have legitimate grounds for an appeal, follow these steps:
Contact your Success Coach immediately. Do this as soon as you receive your grade. AO deadlines are strict and cannot be extended.
Evaluate the evidence and the risks. Your Success Coach helps you review your result against the AO criteria and explains the possible outcomes, including grade reduction and fees. Together you assess whether valid grounds exist.
Submit the formal appeal. If you proceed, your Success Coach helps you complete the required documentation and secure employer consent.
How the appeal process works
Each Assessment Organisation (AO) has its own process. Deadlines are short, from 10 working days to 20 calendar days after your result is issued. Speak to your Success Coach as soon as possible. The process usually involves:
Initial review or enquiry. Your appeal is reviewed against the assessment records. Depending on your AO, this is either an independent review of your assessment or a clarification of how the decision was reached.
Appeal hearing. If you disagree with the first outcome, you can request a formal appeal. An independent reviewer or panel considers it. Your grade may go up, stay the same or go down.
Further review (some AOs only). Some AOs offer a final independent review of whether their procedures were followed fairly.
Fees may apply at later stages if an appeal is not upheld. Your Success Coach explains the process for the AO that assessed you.
Appeal policies by Assessment Organisation (AO)
The table below compares the appeal policies of the two AOs that assess Multiverse standard apprenticeships.
Detail | 1st for Awarding (Appeals Policy v2.0) | Accelerate People (Enquiries and Appeals v7.1) |
Deadline | 20 calendar days | 10 working days |
Stage 1 | Appeal Review. An independent Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) or Subject Matter Expert (SME) reviews the evidence. Decision within 20 working days | Informal Enquiry. Accelerate People checks for clarity and errors, carries out technical checks and gives clarification. Not an independent re-review |
Stage 2 | Appeal Hearing. A panel of at least three, including an Executive Director, an SME or IQA, and the Head of Quality. Request within 10 working days | Formal Appeal. An independent SME re-grades the work, then a panel of Quality, Lead SME and a Senior Officer reviews it |
Stage 3 | None. Stage 2 is final | Independent Review Panel. Checks whether Accelerate People applied its procedures fairly |
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) | Can escalate once the process is exhausted | Can escalate once the process is exhausted |
Fees | Upheld: no fee. Rejected: GBP 300 (no stage given) | Stage 1 free. Stage 2 (assessment decisions) GBP 300. Stage 3 GBP 600. Invoiced to the training provider |
Consent | Apprentice's approval required | Apprentice's approval required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions | Answers |
Question: Does my programme feedback predict my final grade? | Answer: No. Programme feedback is formative. It shows your progress and helps you improve against programme criteria. It is not based on EPA grading criteria, so it does not predict your final grade. |
Question: Is my portfolio graded on its own? | Answer: No. Where a programme includes a portfolio and a professional discussion, the assessor uses your portfolio to guide their questions. You can draw on it to support your answers. Your grade is based on the evidence shown across the discussion and portfolio together. |
Question: Who grades my EPA, and what criteria do they use? | Answer: Your EPA is assessed independently. The Assessment Organisation (AO) that carries out your EPA is separate from Multiverse. Its assessors grade strictly against the criteria set out in the apprenticeship standard. As a result, the feedback you receive during your programme can differ from your EPA outcome. That does not take anything away from the quality of your work. |
For further information please refer to 1st for Awarding policy page or
Accelerate People policy page