On 10 February 2025 I received an email that my second assignment had been referred for academic conduct review. Since then I have had no further correspondence, still awaiting an outcome and my result is now ‘pending’.
This was my first year studying with the OU and I received the email five days after I collected my results for my second assignment.
It was a massive demotivator to receive such email, it was confusing, impersonal, no reasons or timeframes given for when I could expect an outcome and I have been left worrying with no recourse as well as being unable to embrace the end of module result.
My employer sponsors me and understandably will not support me progressing to the next module unless I have an outcome, given that one potential outcome could be that I fail the course.
I understand the need for the policy, however the process is ineffective and it is not acceptable to be waiting an outcome for nearly 6 months. Especially when once I have an outcome and if I have grounds for appeal have only 28 days to appeal.
I understand that a reason for the delay is due to the overwhelming number of referrals. Students are expected to submit assignments on time and deal with several other priorities and commitments. Therefore, this reason is not satisfactory. Nor is not having any timeframes for determining a referral.
Improvements are urgently required to the process as it is not an acceptable way to treat students.