Admissions complaints and appeals

We aim to offer admission to undergraduate applicants of the greatest academic potential. The Colleges receive many applications of very high quality. Unfortunately, we cannot offer everyone a place and the number of unsuccessful candidates – even those with very strong applications – is therefore also high.

Colleges take time considering all elements of your application (including formal applications, tests, submitted work and interviews), to ensure that admissions decisions are focussed on academic ability and potential, and all staff involved in the process are trained to treat applicants fairly, consistently, and professionally.

Occasionally, however, an applicant may be dissatisfied with the decision not to offer them a place and have grounds to believe this stems from procedural error (submitting an “appeal”), or they may be dissatisfied with some other aspect of the management of their application (submitting a “complaint”).

The document above details the Colleges’ shared approved policy and procedure for the managing of such appeals and complaints.

How to submit an appeal or complaint

Further information about how to submit an appeal or complaint, along with appeal forms will be published here in autumn 2026.

Before submitting an appeal or complaint you must read the following:

If you applied to the Foundation Year, you should check the Foundation Year appeals and complaints policy and procedure (Foundation Year website).