Ceana Agbro, a 23-year-old student at King’s College London, is taking legal action against her university after her first-class degree was unexpectedly downgraded to a 2:1 just before her graduation. She describes the situation as marked by unfair procedures, repeated errors, and significant delays.
Agbro, who began her studies in business management in September 2021, was elated when she calculated her grades in May 2024 and believed she had achieved a first-class degree. However, her excitement turned to dismay when, weeks later, she discovered that her grade had been altered from a first to a 2:1. Initially, she was informed that this change was due to a system error, and she was assured that the issue would be rectified.
Just days before her graduation, the university contradicted its earlier statements, claiming that her first-class grade did not account for a peer-reviewed assignment. Agbro contends that she was unable to access the peer review portal, which prevented her from participating in the assessment process, while other students could evaluate her contributions. Feeling the process was unjust, she deferred her graduation and filed multiple appeals against the university, asserting that her complaint centered on procedural issues rather than academic judgment. However, both appeals were rejected after considerable delays.
Legal Action Following Unsuccessful Appeals
After exhausting her options with the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education, Agbro has decided to pursue legal action on her own, as she was informed that hiring legal representation would cost approximately £25,000. A spokesperson for King’s College London acknowledged an error in email correspondence but maintained confidence in the thoroughness of the investigation that led to the conclusion of her case.
„I want people to understand this isn’t even about the grade – it’s about the process and it’s been unjust. I’m doing this for the students before me and after me – I don’t want it to happen to anyone else,“ Agbro stated.
Agbro, who is currently a television development intern, emphasized that she was the first in her family to attend university and had dedicated herself to achieving a first-class degree. Throughout her studies, she prioritized her academic work over social events, believing that a first-class degree from King’s College London would significantly enhance her career prospects.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Dispute
In May 2024, Agbro logged into the university’s online portal and confirmed her grades, believing she had achieved a first-class degree, which requires an overall average of 70% or higher. However, on July 9, 2024, she noticed that her grade had been incorrectly recorded as 67, resulting in a downgrade to a 2:1. After contacting university staff, she was assured that the error would be corrected, and she would still graduate with a first-class degree.
Despite receiving confirmation of her grades, Agbro faced further complications. On July 29, just three days before her graduation, she received an email from the program manager stating that her grade for a module titled „Managing Extreme Situations: Crises, Corruptions And Controversies“ was actually 68, not 70, and that the higher grade did not include peer review scores. Agbro expressed frustration, noting that she had been unable to access the peer review portal, which was essential for her final grade.
„It felt so unfair – first, they tell me it was an error, then I find out others have been able to score me,“ she remarked.
As a result of these developments, Agbro chose to defer her graduation, stating, „I just didn’t feel like I was able to walk across the stage accepting an incorrect grade. I just felt like it wouldn’t be authentic to me, because I’m upset with what’s happened.“ On September 2, 2024, she submitted an academic appeal, expecting a timely response in accordance with university guidelines.
Continued Frustration with the Appeals Process
However, the university responded eight working days late, denying her appeal on the grounds that she was challenging academic judgment rather than procedural fairness. Agbro insisted that her complaint was about the procedures, particularly regarding her inability to participate in the peer review process.
She submitted a second appeal on November 6, 2024, and claims that she received a response 50 working days later, which again denied her appeal. Agbro criticized the university for not adhering to its own timelines, stating, „If I filed something late as a student, they wouldn’t even accept it. It’s like they’re able to do whatever they want to do and don’t have to follow their own procedures and timelines.“
Seeking Resolution Through Judicial Review
On July 9, 2025, Agbro received confirmation from a university staff member that the peer review link had not been visible on her account due to updates made to the system. In the same month, she finally gained access to the peer review portal, only to find that her name appeared as having completed the peer review. However, she requested a timestamp to verify when this submission occurred, but the university did not provide one.
Agbro also submitted two subject access requests in June 2025 to uncover any withheld information, but the university took 226 calendar days to fulfill just one of these requests, far exceeding the 30-day limit. In November 2025, she contacted the OIA, which informed her in March 2026 that her complaint was not justified, although they could not consider all aspects of her case.
Determined to seek justice, Agbro has opted to pursue a judicial review in the administrative court, a specialized court within the King’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice. She has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with any associated legal fees, as she continues to navigate the complexities of her case.
Current Status and Future Steps
In mid-May 2026, Agbro sent a letter before claim to King’s College London, and on May 26, the university responded, indicating that they did not see a basis for settlement but were open to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). However, by June 1, the university withdrew the ADR offer, stating that they did not believe it would be productive at that stage.
Agbro intends to proceed with legal action and plans to submit a claim form to the administrative court. With her graduation scheduled for July 2026, she is hopeful for a resolution before the ceremony. A spokesperson for King’s College London reiterated the university’s commitment to fairness in academic appeals and stated that they had thoroughly investigated the matter.
„We take all matters relating to student grades and academic appeals very seriously to ensure fairness for all of our students and we have sincerely apologised for the error in email correspondence that occurred, however this error is separate from and does not affect the outcome of investigations,“ the spokesperson said.
For those interested in supporting Agbro’s legal battle, donations can be made through her GoFundMe page.
Quellen: mylondon.news
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