You could be wondering the following if you have been accused of academic misconduct:
- What exactly is academic misconduct?
- How can I counter accusations of academic misconduct?
- How do I appeal a penalty that was imposed?
- Can I be expelled?
The university will decide what constitutes academic misconduct, however the following are some typical examples:
- Plagiarism
- Someone else sitting an assessment for you
- Contract cheating (e.g. exam writing services)
- Collusion
- Use of false data or results
- Unauthorised use of AI (e.g. ChatGPT)
Your university should make it very clear what constitutes “academic misconduct” as well as the potential consequences. Sanctions may range from:
- Mark of zero for the assignment;
- Re-sit the module;
- Exclusion from university
If a penalty has been imposed, you should have the chance to challenge it via an appeal. You must make sure that your appeal is compelling since you can be forced to leave university, which would mean losing years of hard work and fees paid.
In accordance with the rules and procedures established by your university, you will be required to submit an appeal. It’s crucial to make sure your appeal is submitted on grounds that are valid and are supported up by evidence. Check the deadline before thinking about submitting an appeal because universities frequently impose strict deadlines. You face the danger of having your case dismissed if you file your appeal after the deadline.
