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Grading Grievances

What is a grading grievance?

A grading grievance is a written complaint where a student alleges that an instructor assigned a grade for other than academic reasons. Students may not file a grading grievance simply because they disagree with a grade.

The Academic Senate’s Grading Grievance Committee (GGC) reviews grading grievances from students who allege an instructor has assigned a course grade or evaluated the student’s work using criteria not clearly and directly related to the student’s academic performance in the course.

GGC does not have authority to evaluate the academic merits of the grade an instructor has assigned. The Committee will NOT review claims of procedural errors unless they are part of allegations of “other than academic grounds.” A grading grievance is NOT allowed if it is based on disagreements with any of the following:

  • Course requirements
  • Course policies
  • General grading scheme of the course
  • Assessment of the quality of a student’s work
  • Assessment of a student's participation in course activities
  • How a grade was calculated, including extra credit


For the purposes of this process, a grade includes a mark indicating level of academic achievement as well as other forms of evaluation such as approvals of capstone projects. 

A grading grievance may only be filed after grades are final and the course is complete.

Both undergraduates and graduate students who are enrolled at UCLA are eligible to file grading grievances. (See below for some graduate student exceptions.) 

DEADLINE (Effective Fall 2026): Students must file a grading grievance no later than the last day of the next registered academic term (Fall, Winter or Spring) after the disputed grade was made part of the student’s academic record, or following the resolution of a pending harassment or discrimination complaint or academic integrity case. Submissions received in summer will be reviewed in Fall.

The grading grievance process is open to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. However, the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA School of Law and the School of Dentistry each have their own process for grading grievances. Students who are pursuing professional degrees (e.g. M.D., J.D., D.D.S.) in these professional schools should follow their school’s processes for grading grievances.

Students who are pursuing non-professional graduate degrees (e.g. M.A., Ph.D.) at one of these professional schools should use the Academic Senate's grading grievance process.

Before filing a grade grievance, students should read carefully the Academic Senate regulations pertaining to grading. Students should also document the steps taken to address their grading concern with the instructor and/or department before filing a grievance. 

If a student has reason to claim evaluation on other than academic grounds (not simply a grade disagreement), follow the steps below.

  1. Communicate with the instructor in charge of the course or the department/program chair to resolve the concern. The chair does not have authority to require an instructor to change a grade; however, the chair may help to facilitate a resolution between the instructor and student. Unless you can document allegations of misconduct by the instructor, you must provide evidence that you contacted the instructor in a timely way to discuss your concerns.
  2. After engagement with the instructor, if you believe that you were assigned a grade on other than academic grounds, submit all of the following documents to the Grading Grievance Committee via gradegrievance@senate.ucla.edu :
    1. a completed grading grievance form.
    2. the course syllabus
    3. a grading breakdown (e.g., screenshot from MyUCLA and BruinLearn)
    4. evidence of correspondence with the instructor and, if applicable, the chair
    5. additional materials you believe demonstrate the grade was assigned on other than academic grounds.

       

Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

  1. Upon receipt of a written grading grievance, the Grading Grievance Committee will review the documentation to support the claim that the grade was assigned on other than academic grounds. In some cases, the Committee may request additional documentation for grievances that involve an allegation of student misconduct, harassment, or discrimination. 

    If a student files a grading grievance due to alleged discrimination or harassment, GGC will consider the grievance only after the grievant has contacted the appropriate campus unit, such as the UCLA Discrimination Prevention Office or Title IX Office, and the appropriate campus unit completes its review.
  2. If the Committee determines that it is a grade disagreement or that the materials do not demonstrate that a grade was assigned for other than academic reasons, the Committee will dismiss the grievance. 
  3. If the Committee determines based on the materials submitted that the grade was assigned for other than academic reasons, the Committee will review the grievance. If the Committee finds the records are not adequate for recommending a letter grade, then the Committee may recommend assigning a grade of Pass, or allowing the student to repeat the course without penalty.
  4. The Committee will notify the grievant of the final determination concerning the grade.
  5. Grading grievance determinations are final; there is no appeal.