Academic Conduct means conducting yourself honestly in your studies: making sure you reference any ideas which aren’t new in each assessment. This includes your own work if you’ve submitted it previously. It can also include not doing anything dishonest in exams or non-written assessments.
Making sure your work doesn’t breach the policy means you are making sure that you are maintaining the high academic standards expected by the University. If you’re unsure at all you can speak to your department or to the Academic Skills team about improving your academic writing skills, which should also help your grades overall.
What to do if You Receive an Email
We understand that getting an email saying you’re suspected of breaching the Academic Conduct policy can be more than a little nerve-wracking. So here’s a brief summary of what to expect next.
- Your email will include a copy of the work that is suspected of breaching guidelines. It is worth looking at the AC-1 form attached, as the marker will have explained what they suspect the issue is. If you can’t understand it, get in touch and we’ll try and help explain what it all means.
- You can send a written response back to the tutor, and we’d encourage you to do this. In the email, you could explain what you think has gone wrong, any study support you’ve received, or anything else you feel is relevant.
- At the initial meeting, your tutor will talk to you about the allegation and you’ll both look through the work together. You can also ask your tutor about the types of support available to you. At the end of the meeting, the tutor will decide if they believe there is evidence of a breach or not. You will also be asked to sign the form and state whether you agree or disagree with the tutor’s decision.
- If this isn’t the first time you’ve had a suspected breach of the policy, the allegation is academic misconduct, or you disagreed with the tutor’s decision, you will be invited to a panel hearing. At the hearing, you will be given the opportunity to explain what you believe has happened and the panel can ask you questions as well. Once you and the panel are happy that they have all the information they need, you will leave the room and they will make a decision.
- You’ll receive the decision in writing within 10 days.
Making Sense of Unacceptable Practice and Misconduct
Breaching the academic conduct policy is split into two categories by the University; Unacceptable Academic Practice, and Academic Misconduct. Below is a short explanation of the common breaches of the policy.
Unacceptable Academic Practice
Using work which is not your own without crediting the author. This can include where work is not paraphrased or cited adequately.
Using work you have submitted in other assignments without referencing yourself. Also known as reuse of previously-submitted material.
Working with one or more other students to create work which should have been written or made individually.
Academic Misconduct
Using another person or company to complete your work, whether paid or unpaid.
Using fake or altered documents, data, or other materials to complete an assessment. This includes providing fake evidence for an extension or deferral.
Failing to get ethical approval for your research, or failing to comply with relevant legal obligations.
Any actions to gain an unfair advantage in an exam or assessment, before, during, or after, or to help another student to do so.
What the Academic Conduct Process Looks Like
First, you will be invited to attend a meeting with your department to discuss the allegations. They then make one of the following recommendations:
1. No further action
The department are satisfied there is no breach of policy. Your mark will be released with no deductions.
2. There is evidence of unacceptable academic practice (Level 3 and 4)
Your work will be marked, with deductions for areas in breach of the policy.
3. There is evidence of unacceptable academic practice (Level 5 and above)
If this is your first offence, you will receive a standard penalty. If this is your second (or further) offence, you will be invited to attend an Academic Integrity review panel.
4. There is evidence of academic misconduct
You will be invited to attend an Academic Integrity review panel.
Any recommendation is provisional until it is approved by the Academic Integrity subgroup. If you disagree with the findings at your initial meeting, you will also be invited to attend an Academic Integrity review panel to present your case.
How can the Advice Team Help?
If you have been accused of breaching the Academic Conduct policy, we can help by:
- Discussing the allegations with you in a way that makes sense
- Helping to read through a draft of your written response
- Attending Academic Conduct meetings with you
- Explaining what will happen at each step
If you feel that an academic conduct investigation hasn’t followed the current procedure, and are unhappy with the outcome, we can also help you to Appeal a decision.
If you would like to book an appointment with an Advisor you can do so through our appointment booking page.