There are three possible application review outcomes: ‘award’, ‘refer’ and ‘not award’.
Application outcome ‘award’
If the Review Panel deem that you have addressed the Descriptor 3 criteria of PSF 2023 to their satisfaction, you will be awarded SFHEA.
You will receive written feedback and the application outcome via email. Your details will also be recorded on the Advance HE database, from where you can then download your certificate.
Application outcome ‘refer’
If the Review Panel deem that you have addressed most of the Descriptor 3 criteria of PSF 2023 to their satisfaction, but one or two things need clarification, you will receive a ‘refer’ outcome. This will be sent, along with written feedback, via email. In the feedback, the panel will outline what further evidence is needed.
You will then have four weeks* from the date of the notice to supply the additional evidence and resubmit your application to the EFS team. Alternatively, you can choose to re-submit for a future review round. Once we receive your resubmission, the EFS team will ask the original reviewers (unless they are no longer available) to review your revisions. You can expect an outcome and feedback after four working weeks.
Application outcome ‘not award’
If the Review Panel deem that the resubmission does not address the Descriptor 3 criteria of PSF 2023, you will receive a ‘not award’ outcome. This will be sent, along with written feedback about areas for development, via email. You and your EFS mentor will be given the opportunity to discuss this feedback with the EFS team.
Right of appeal
The decision of the Review Panel is open to appeal. If you wish to appeal the decision rather than address the feedback from the Panel, then your application will be referred to an external reviewer who was not involved in the panel decision.
The external reviewer is an independent third party and their decision is final. They will communicate their judgement back to the Panel and our team, who will communicate the decision to you.