Make sure you know exactly what counts as academic misconduct so you can avoid being at risk of it and Earn Your Degree.
There are many different types of academic misconduct which can affect your time at uni and follow you into your career. Most cases are completely unintentional and could easily be prevented. Going to university is not just about getting a piece of paper with a grade at the end of your studies. You’ll also learn crucial information and life lessons to take you throughout your career. Committing academic misconduct means that not only could you face serious consequences, that jeopardise your time at university, but can also make you underprepared for future jobs.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Types of Academic Misconduct
Collusion: Students working together and sharing notes to produce a piece of work.
Making your work available: Sharing your work to others on any platform, or leaving your work unattended for others to read.
Plagiarism: Submitting someone else's work as your own, copying text from prewritten work or inadequate referencing
Self-plagiarism: When you submit the same or a substantial piece of work on more than one occasion.
Impersonation: A form of cheating whereby a different person than the assigned student completes the assignment or exam.
The use of Essay Mills: Arranging the purchase of either part or a whole assessment, or input from any other person, with or without cost.
FAQs
Common questions asked by students:
Is it academic misconduct to ask another person to proof-read or check my work?
The University expects that any piece of work submitted for assessment is the student’s own work. Any use of a proof-reader (e.g. parent, friend etc) or proofreading, translation or editing service must not affect how much of the work is your own.
How will alleged academic misconduct be investigated?
The Associate Dean of School or SAIO will carry out a preliminary investigation and decide whether further or no further action should be taken at a certain level depending on the situation
What is Turnitin?
Turnitin is an Internet-based plagiarism detection. The results can be used to identify similarities to existing sources or can be used in formative assessment to help students learn how to avoid plagiarism and improve their writing.
What are the penalties for committing academic misconduct?
A grade 0 for that module, A Disciplinary warning on your university record, A requirement to access further support, Exclusion from the university. These depend on the severity and your course.
What to do if you receive an allegation of academic misconduct?
you will receive a letter of notification outlining the allegation. You will then have 5 days in which to contact the author of the letter.It is a good idea to agree to meet the SAIO so that they can explain the allegation and how to avoid future.If you have received an allegation and would like support, you can Request an appointment with our Advice and Support services
Essaymils are officially illegal. It is now a criminal offence to use or provide essays and pieces of work that have been purchased or not written by the student themselves
What support is available?
Our Advice & Support team offers free, confidential and impartial guidance and support at all stages of the Academic Misconduct Investigation process. Find out more about how they can help you should you need it, as well as the study skills support available to you here at Herts, here
Please access Academic English & Study Skills Development workshops with can help you overcome challenges, improve your Academic English and Study Skills
Library SkillUp is a series of new online support materials to help save you time and get better grades
if you are finding hard to cope with academic misconduct please reach out to the universities Student Wellbeing services
For specific help that each school offers please click here .