Disagreeing with a decision
This page provides information on what you can do if you disagree with a decision made by Leiden University.
Disagreeing with a study-related decision
You can turn to the Examination Appeals Board if you want to dispute a decision concerning:
- negative BSA;
- refusal of admission to a bachelor’s or master’s study programme, tests or exams;
- a decision made by examiners or a Board of Examiners (exemptions, assessments, plagiarism or fraud).
You can dispute a decision by lodging an appeal with the Examination Appeals Board. This must be done within six weeks of the date of issue of the decision in question.
Lodging an appeal
You should mention at least the following in your appeal:
- your name, address and telephone number;
- the date on which you are lodging the appeal;
- a clear description of the decision against which you are appealing;
- your reason(s) for believing the decision is not justified.
Make sure to sign your letter of appeal and send it, accompanied by a copy of the decision in question, to:
Leiden University
Examination Appeals Board
Postbus 9500
2300 RA Leiden
Or via email to CBE@bb.leidenuniv.nl.
You can find more information about these procedures in the Regulations of the Examination Appeals Board.
In our organisational structure you can read about the composition of the Examination Appeals Board, as well as its hearing dates and journals.
If you are still unsure what to do after reading this information please contact a Student Counsellor.
Disagreeing with the outcome
If you disagree with the Examination Appeals Board’s decision you can appeal against it to the The Council of State - Student Affairs (in Dutch).
Note: you can only appeal to the Council of State after you have been through an appeals procedure with the Examination Appeals Board.
Disagreeing with other types of decision
You can turn to the Appeals and Objections Committee if you want to dispute a decision concerning:
• (termination of) your student registration;
• registration of study delay;
• selection for numerus fixus study programmes;
• allocation of scholarships or financial support for board membership duties.
You can dispute a decision by lodging an objection with the Executive Board. This must be done within six weeks of the date of issue of the decision in question. The Appeals and Objections Committee will then provide the Executive Board with advice on your objection.
Lodging an objection
You should mention at least the following in your objection:
- your name, address and telephone number;
- the date on which you are lodging the objection;
- a clear description of the decision against which you are objecting;
- your reason(s) for believing the decision is not justified.
Make sure to sign your letter of objection and send it, accompanied by a copy of the decision in question, to:
Leiden University
Appeals and Objections Committee
Postbus 9500
2300 RA Leiden
Or via email toCBE@bb.leidenuniv.nl.
You can find more information about the Appeals and Objections Committee in our organisational structure.
If you are still unsure what to do after reading this information please contact a Student Counsellor.
Disagreeing with the outcome
If you disagree with the Executive Board’s decision on your objection you can appeal against it to the The Council of State - Student Affairs (in Dutch).
Note: you can only appeal to the Council of State after you have been through the objections procedure.
Disagree with an official decision?
Before you submit a formal complaint, it is important that you first try to find a solution through a more informal approach.
- It is best to first discuss your complaint with the relevant Instructor;
- If that does not help, discuss the issue with the Coordinator of the course;
- In some cases, your Study Advisor can also mediate. As a study adviser, Mirthe Haas is the point of contact for all psychology students.
This informal preliminary step is necessary because it, in some cases, can make a formal complaint no longer necessary. It also leads to a faster and more effective handling of the complaint as the evaluating body will almost always ask which steps have already been completed toward resolving the problem.
Is your complaint about a grade you have been issued?
We recommend you follow the steps as listed above. If no agreement is reached, you can file a grade appeal with the Examination Appeals Board with a copy to the Board of Examiners within 6 weeks of the grade being recorded in uSis. It is within your rights to send an appeal directly to the Examination Appeals Board. However, if you do so send a copy to the Board of Examiners also.
Is your complaint about a decision (such as the length of period in which grades are record or exemptions)?
Send your complaint in writing to the Board of Examiners
Is your complaint about your education experience in a particular course?
Then contact a student member of the relevant Programme Committee.
Is your complaint about an incident concerning sexual harassment, bullying in the work / study place, aggression, violence or discrimination?
Contact the university Confidential Counsellors
Do you disagree with certain regulations or do you feel that you have been treated improperly by an employee or university body?
Contact the student member of the Executive Board of the Institute of Psychology
Do you feel you have been treated improperly by a staff member or administrative body of the university and prefer not to report this to Institute’s Executive Board?
Then contact the Ombuds officer. The university Ombuds officer has an independent position within the university and a privacy obligation, so that confidentiality is guaranteed.