What is academic misconduct?

The University views any action that is an attempt by a student to gain an unfair advantage over another student or to help another student to gain an unfair advantage to be considered as a breach of the Code of Academic Conduct.

View the definitions of academic misconduct used by the University.

Make sure you understand what you are accused of and ensure you can demonstrate this in the response. If the allegations relate to the use of AI, you should read the University's guidance on AI use.

What happens if an allegation of academic misconduct is made against me?

You will receive a notification informing you that there will be a meeting arranged to discuss the allegation(s). Depending on the kind of meeting arranged, you may or may not be asked to attend this meeting. The type of meeting will be determined by the nature of the allegation(s) and whether there have been any investigations of academic misconduct previously.

There are two processes that can take place where academic misconduct is suspected.

1. Academic Concern Meeting

This meeting is normally for students in their first year of study at the University. It involves allegations of poor academic practice such as a lack of understanding of academic protocols and referencing. Your Course Leader (or a nominee) and a Secretary from Registry Services will attend. The Module Leader or marker may also be there. There will be a written record of the meeting. You will be asked to answer to the concern which has been raised about your work. It is advisable to take with you any notes which you used in the preparation and production of your piece of work.

2. Academic Conduct Panel

An academic conduct panel is held to address allegations of misconduct in coursework or examinations. You will be notified of allegations of academic misconduct by email. This should include attachments including a notification proforma, the evidence that misconduct has taken place, and a response form for you to complete. The email should state the date the panel will be held, as well as the deadline for you to respond to the allegations.

You should submit a written response addressing the allegations and providing any evidence you think is relevant.

If you would like one of our advisers to check a draft of your response, please complete our Ask Us form.

Please note, if you have been invited to attend a meeting to answer questions about your work because concerns have been raised, but this is not called an Academic Concern Meeting or Academic Conduct Panel, it is best to get advice and help preparing for such a meeting as soon as you receive the invitation. This is because it is possible that the content and outcome of this initial meeting may be used later within the academic misconduct process.

What happens after the panel meets?

You will usually get an email detailing an outcome within 5 working days of the panel date. this will state the outcome and any sanction.

The possible outcomes from an ACP meeting are:

• No further action will be taken and no record will be kept on your file
• Notice to Improve: this provides advice on how to develop better academic practices and skills. It will remain on your student file for the duration of your studies. Your work will be given a mark, which will reflect the academic merit of the work that is original content. No mention of this will be made in any reference requests.
• A sanction will be applied to the assessment. Sanctions can be very serious and may affect your progression or grades. The full list of sanctions is included in the University's Academic Conduct Regulation.

What if I am unhappy with the outcome?

You can either accept or reject the sanction given. If you reject the outcome, you will be able to attend a review panel.

At this meeting you should be given the opportunity to present any new evidence and further explanation as to how you produced the work including any extenuating circumstances that affected your assignment. You can also ask for clarification if you're unsure about what any aspect of the allegation or evidence means, and the panel will also have the opportunity to ask you any questions they have about your work.

Based on the information submitted beforehand and the discussion at the meeting, the Review Panel will consider whether they think the initial sanction you were given is appropriate or not - and if not, decide upon a new sanction. Please note that a more severe sanction could potentially be deemed appropriate as well as the possibility of one less severe.

If you are still unhappy following the review, you can appeal the decision.