Fitness to Practise Appeals

For cases relating to behaviour following 1 September 2020

From 1 September 2020 onwards, all students who are undertaking professional courses of study that require them to adhere to higher standards of professional behaviour are subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Procedure.

Section 8 of this Procedure requires any appeal of the FTP Adjudication Panel needs to be submitted, alongside all evidence to be considered, within 28 days of the student receiving the FTP Adjudication Panel's written decision to studentcomplaints@admin.cam.ac.uk.

An appeal may be made on one or more of the following grounds:

a. the procedures were not followed properly

b. the decision-maker(s) reached an unreasonable decision;

c. there is material new evidence that the student was unavailable, for valid reasons, to provide earlier in the process;

d. there was bias or a reasonable perception of bias during the procedure;

e. the action taken by the FTP Adjudication Panel is disproportionate or not permitted under the procedures. 

Students can seek support for this procedure through their College Tutor or the Student Advice Service.

Freedom of speech and fitness to practise proceedings

Parts of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 came into effect on 1 August 2025. These strengthen the legal duties of universities in relation to free speech and academic freedom. Regulation of the new duties is undertaken by the Office for Students (OfS).

The University is fully committed to securing and promoting freedom of speech within the law for staff, students and visiting speakers. The University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech sets out the University’s values, approach and associated procedures in detail.

As a student on a course with professional accreditation standards, you should be aware of the interplay between the University’s duties in relation to free speech and academic freedom, and the University’s duties to ensure you align with professional accreditation standards.

While the Code of Practice applies to you, as to all other students at the University, it will be applied proportionately in the case of any fitness to practise proceedings, given the requirement upon you to meet the necessary professional accreditation standards.

If you are in doubt about whether any action you are considering might cause concern about your fitness to practise, we recommend that you seek advice from the Chair of the relevant FTP Committee.

For cases relating to behaviour prior to 1 September 2020

Medical Student: Fitness to Practise Appeal Panel (FTP Appeal Panel)

Primary source:Statutes and Ordinances, 2017, p. 224
Purpose and scope:

The procedure provides for a medical student to appeal a decision of a Fitness to Practise Adjudication Panel.

A medical student and the Fitness to Practise Committee shall have the right of appeal to an Appeal Panel in respect of a decision of a Fitness to Practise Adjudication Panel, which shall be on only one or more of the following grounds: (a) irregularity in process; (b) the coming to light of fresh evidence, which was not available and/or presented for a good reason; and/or (c) the proportionality of a sanction imposed by the FTP Adjudication Panel. A notice of appeal must be received by the Registrary within twenty-eight days of the date of notification of a FTP Adjudication Panel decision.

For further information please contact studentcomplaints@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Veterinary Student: Fitness to Practise Appeal Panel (VFTP Appeal Panel)

Primary source:Statutes and Ordinances, 2017, p. 231
Purpose and scope:

The procedure provides for a veterinary student to appeal a decision of a Veterinary Fitness to Practise Adjudication Panel.

A veterinary student and the Fitness to Practise Committee shall have the right of appeal to an Appeal Panel in respect of a decision of a Fitness to Practise Adjudication Panel, which shall be on only one or more of the following grounds: (a) irregularity in process; (b) the coming to light of fresh evidence, which was not available and/or presented for a good reason; and/or (c) the proportionality of a sanction imposed by the FTP Adjudication Panel. A notice of appeal must be received by the Registrary within twenty-eight days of the date of notification of a VFTP Adjudication Panel decision.

For further information please contact studentcomplaints@admin.cam.ac.uk.