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Academic Offences Procedures 2011-12 A6.
Plagiarism or cheating in work for a Masters
A . Academic Offences dissertation/project or for a research degree is
A1. considered an especially severe offence since the
Academic offences include: explicit aim is to carry out independent
a. plagiarism, that is, using or copying the work investigative work.
of others (whether written, printed or in any A7.
other form) without proper acknowledgement When any academic offence is alleged, a student
in any assignment, examination or other is required either to attend any meeting arranged
assessed work; to discuss the alleged offence with the relevant
b. using work previously submitted for another Head of Department, Dean, or Academic
assignment without full acknowledgement. Offences Committee or if he or she does not wish
c. falsifying data or evidence; to attend to submit a written response by the date
d. submitting a fraudulent claim of extenuating of the meeting. If the student attends the meeting,
circumstances; he or she may bring a student or other member of
e. assisting another student to commit an the University or Students’ Union to help him or
academic offence; her in presenting his or her case. In some
f. submitting written work produced instances, such as allegations relating to collusion
collaboratively unless this is explicitly or group submissions, it may be necessary and
permitted; appropriate for the relevant Head of Department,
g. copying the work of another candidate or Dean or Academic Offences Committee to see
otherwise communicating with another more than one student at a time. Reasonable
candidate in an examination; notification will be given of any such meeting,
h. introducing any written, printed or although it may sometimes be called at short
electronically stored information into an notice.
examination other than material expressly A8.
permitted in the instructions for that If an allegation of an academic offence has been
examination; proven, the student will be invited to disclose any
i. attempting to interfere with the assessment further cases which they wish to be taken into
process. consideration as part of the same offence.
This list is not exhaustive. Students are warned that all undisclosed offences
A2. which come to light will be treated as subsequent
In submitting any piece of work (eg dissertation, offences, potentially carrying heavier penalties.
thesis, essay, test or report) a student shall A9.
acknowledge any assistance received or any use In determining the penalty for an academic
of the work of others. offence any previous confirmed academic offence
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS will be taken into account. When more than one
A3. offence is considered at the same time the
A student may be found guilty of an academic offences will normally all be considered as a first
offence whether or not there has been any offence if the student has not previously been
intention to deceive; that is, a judgement that found guilty of an academic offence. A
negligence has occurred is sufficient to subsequence offence may occur from the point at
determine guilt. which a student is found guilty of a first offence.
A4. A10.
Students have a duty to inform themselves of the Students are reminded that the penalties for
Academic Offences Policy and Procedures and of academic offences may be very severe,
the academic conventions used in the University especially those for any subsequent offence (ie
for correctly citing and acknowledging the work of an offence identified after any previous offence
others, including the correct use of quotation has been confirmed), including requiring a
marks, and the regulations governing student to withdraw or determining that a degree
examinations. Further details and advice are to not be awarded. Students with a proven
be found at: www.essex.ac.uk/plagiarism/ For academic offence on record may be prevented
advice on correct referencing see also from studying abroad under the Study Abroad
departmental handbooks and websites. scheme, and where necessary, the relevant
A5. Professional Body will also be informed.
Depending on their nature and severity, alleged A11.
academic offences will be dealt with by the Where a student who is in receipt of a University
relevant Head of Department or Dean or by an scholarship is found guilty of an academic offence
Academic Offences Committee. Head of by an Academic Offences Committee, the Chair
Department shall also be taken to include Head of may refer the matter to the appropriate Dean to
School, Director of Area, Centre or Institute or a determine whether there is good cause to
nominated academic for a partner institution. terminate the scholarship.
A12. B5.
Where a student has a penalised mark for work All other cases, including all cases relating to
as a result of an academic offence the penalty will formal examinations or involving research
not be carried forward if the student repeats a students and any allegation of an academic
year. However, the record of the offence is kept offence after the degree has been conferred,
on the student’s record and the academic must be referred to the relevant Dean.
offences database and any further offences will B6.
be classified as subsequent offences. Where Where appropriate, a student is entitled to see a
necessary, the relevant Professional Bodies will copy of paperwork relating to the alleged offence
be informed. at least one day prior to the meeting with the
A13. Head of Department.
All information relating to suspected academic B7.
offences and their outcomes will be recorded on A Head of Department should not take a student’s
the academic offences database and in the array of marks into consideration when allocating
student’s file. a penalty.
A14.
HEADS’ POWERS
For students subject to the Breach of Professional
B8.
Conduct, Fitness to Practice and Termination of
Heads of Department acting on behalf of Senate
Training Procedure, an academic offence that
shall have the power, taking into account the
affects professional suitability may also be
circumstances of the case, to:
referred to other relevant University authorities to
a. determine that no offence has been
be handled in accordance with the appropriate
committed;
procedures.
b. determine that an offence has been
B. Alleged academic offences dealt with by committed and issue one of the following
Heads of Department penalties;
ALLEGED OFFENCES DEALT WITH BY HEADS i. a formal written warning only;
B1. ii. unit of assessment to be referenced
Heads of Department are responsible for the correctly and assessed for an uncapped
initial investigation of alleged academic offences mark;
relating to coursework submitted by any student iii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and
undertaking a module in his or her department, assessed for an uncapped mark (this
and relating to preliminary drafts of chapters or to penalty should only be applied where
papers for a Supervisory Board produced by a the offence does not simply involve
research student in his or her own department. referencing, and for those courses
Where a student is charged with committing an where the Rules of Assessment permit
offence on a module which is not run by a resubmission of failed work prior to the
Department, School or Centre, the Head Exam Board);
responsible for the student’s degree programme iv. unit of assessment to be referenced
shall investigate the allegation. correctly and assessed for the maximum
B2. of a capped pass mark;
All cases referred to a Head of Department must v. unit of assessment rewritten and
be investigated and dealt with on a formal basis. assessed for the maximum of a capped
B3. pass mark (this penalty should only be
Heads of Department can take decisions about all applied where the offence does not
suspected academic offences relating to simply involve referencing, and for those
coursework where: courses where the Rules of Assessment
a. the offence is a first or subsequent academic permit resubmission of failed work prior
offence that if confirmed will result in a to the Exam Board);
penalty that it is within the Head’s powers to vi. unit of assessment to be referenced
impose (see B8(b)); correctly and assessed for credit
b. the student does not request referral to the purposes only with a mark of zero to be
Dean; retained for all calculations, including
c. the alleged offence does not involve any degree classification; or
breach of the University’s disciplinary vii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and
regulations. assessed for credit purposes only with
B4. mark of zero retained for all calculations,
Where the alleged offence involves an alleged including degree classification (this
breach of the University’s disciplinary regulations, penalty should only be applied where
the case must first be referred to the Proctor. the offence does not simply involve
referencing, and for those courses
where the Rules of Assessment permit
resubmission of failed work prior to the C. Alleged Academic Offences dealt with by
Exam Board). Deans
c. refer the case to the relevant Dean for further
investigation. ALLEGED OFFENCES DEALT WITH BY DEANS
d. in some instances, where an academic C1.
offence has been committed in a unit of Deans investigate:
assessment which is worth a small part of the a. all alleged offences relating to formal
module aggregate, it may be appropriate for a examinations.
Head of Department to allocate a penalty of a b. all alleged offences relating to coursework
mark of zero for the unit of assessment with which the regulations indicate must be
no resubmission or second attempt allowed. referred to them by Heads of Department.
This penalty may only be allocated following c. all alleged offences relating to research
consultation with and approval by the relevant degrees referred to them by Heads of
Dean. Department.
B9. C2.
No person shall perform the functions of a Head Deans can take decisions about the following
of Department regarding academic offences alleged offences where:
unless approved by the Dean. At the Head’s a. the student does not request that the case is
request, the Dean may approve the appointment referred to an Academic Offences Committee;
of named, normally senior members of the b. the offence is a first or subsequent academic
academic staff of the Department to perform all offence that could result in a penalty that it is
the functions of the Head of Department in within the Deans’ powers to impose (see
respect of these procedures for all alleged C9.(b));
offences in the Department. c. any first offence by a research student where,
B10. if confirmed, the appropriate penalty would be
Individual members of the academic staff are not no more than a formal written warning.
permitted to make decisions about any case of C3.
suspected plagiarism and must refer these to the Deans must refer to an Academic Offences
Head of Department or his/her nominee(s). Committee:
B11. a. any case where the student requests that it
A Head should not be involved in the investigation be heard by an Academic Offences
of allegations for modules for which they are Committee;
responsible or in relation to a research student b. any case where the penalty would be more
where they are the student’s supervisor, or a severe than it is within the Dean’s powers to
member of the Supervisory Board. In such cases impose (see C9.(b));
they should appoint a substitute who must be c. in the case of research students: any
approved by the Dean. allegation, if confirmed, where the appropriate
penalty could be more than a formal warning
HEADS’ DUTIES and any allegation involving a subsequent
B12. offence (see also C5).
The Head is required to: C4.
a. inform in writing each student whose case Deans must refer to the Proctor any cases
has been referred to him or her about the involving breaches of the University’s disciplinary
nature of the alleged offence; regulations.
b. notify the relevant Dean of the alleged offence C5.
and determine whether there has been any Where an offence is alleged by an Examiner
previous confirmed academic offence; during the examination process for a research
c. inform each student in writing of his or her degree, the examination must be suspended and
decisions and the student’s right to appeal the allegation referred to the Dean of the
against the decision; Graduate School. If plagiarism is alleged before
d. inform the Dean in writing of his or her the viva takes place, then the viva should be held
decisions in respect of any case and the over until the investigation has been completed. If
grounds for the decision (a copy must be kept plagiarism is identified during the viva, the
both in the student’s departmental file and in Examiners should inform the candidate and
the central file); suspend the viva. In both cases, the Examiners
e. inform the Dean annually of the number of should prepare a written report for the Dean of
cases dealt with by him or her. the Graduate School. All allegations brought after
the thesis has been submitted will be considered
by an Academic Offences Committee.
C6.
Where an allegation of an academic offence
arises after the degree has been conferred the
Dean must consult the Vice-Chancellor who shall
determine the procedures to be used in dealing C10.
with the case. For research students the Dean can issue a
C7. formal written warning only.
Where appropriate, a student is entitled to see a
DEANS’ DUTIES
copy of paperwork relating to the alleged offence
C11.
at least one day prior to the meeting with the
The Dean is required to:
Dean.
a. inform in writing each student whose case
C8.
has been referred to him or her about the
A Dean should not take a student’s array of
nature of the alleged offence.
marks into consideration when allocating a
b. establish whether there has been a previous
penalty.
confirmed academic offence;
DEANS’ POWERS c. inform in writing each student of his or her
C9. decision and the student’s right to appeal
Deans acting on behalf of Senate shall have the against the decision;
power to: d. ensure that a note is kept on the student’s
a. determine that no offence has been central file of the decision and the reasons for
committed; it.
b. determine that an offence has been e. inform the Head of Department of the
committed and impose one of the following decision;
penalties: f. inform in writing each student whose case
i. a formal written warning; has been referred to an Academic Offences
ii. unit of assessment to be referenced Committee the substance of such reference;
correctly and assessed for an uncapped g. report to the School Boards annually the
mark; number of cases dealt with by Heads and the
iii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and Deans.
assessed for an uncapped mark (this D. Academic Offences Committees
penalty should only be applied where the
offence does not simply involve MEMBERSHIP
referencing, and for those courses where D1.
the Rules of Assessment permit An Academic Offences Committee is a
resubmission of failed work prior to the Committee of Senate. Members of an Academic
Exam Board); Offences Committee must be drawn from the
iv. unit of assessment to be referenced Panel of potential Academic Offences Committee
correctly and assessed for the maximum members. In the case of a research student, the
of a capped pass mark; Panel comprises all departmental Directors of
v. unit of assessment rewritten and Research Students.
assessed for the maximum of a capped D2.
pass mark (this penalty should only be An Academic Offences Committee shall consist of
applied where the offence does not a Dean in the chair, and two members of staff
simply involve referencing, and for those from outside the student’s department who have
courses where the Rules of Assessment no connection with the case in question. The
permit resubmission of failed work prior to Committee shall be serviced by a Secretary.
the Exam Board); D3.
vi. the student resit the examination for the If a Dean has previously made a judgment
maximum of a capped pass mark; relating to the allegation in question, then another
vii. unit of assessment to be referenced Dean must chair the Academic Offences
correctly and assessed for credit Committee.
purposes only with a mark of zero to be HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
retained for all calculations, including D4.
degree classification; or The Head of the Department in which the alleged
viii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and offence has occurred will attend the Committee to
assessed for credit purposes only with set out evidence relating to the alleged offence (ie
mark of zero retained for all calculations, to act as prosecutor). The Head should not
including degree classification (this present any mitigating circumstances of which
penalty should only be applied where the he/she is aware unless they relate to the
offence does not simply involve Department’s procedures or teaching. Neither
referencing, and for those courses where should the Head propose or comment on any
the Rules of Assessment permit penalty that might be imposed.
resubmission of failed work prior to the D5.
Exam Board). The Head is not a member of the Committee and
c. refer the case to an Academic Offences can only attend when the student is present (not
Committee for further consideration; before or after). The Head is not permitted to ask
questions of the student during the meeting c. The Chair checks that the student has
except through the Chair. received details of the case and any
D6. supporting documentation.
Heads may, if they wish, delegate their duties in d. The Chair explains the order of proceedings
relation to Academic Offences Committees to an to the student.
appropriate member of the academic staff in their e. The evidence relating to the alleged offence
department. is then presented by the relevant Head, and
members of the Committee, the student and
THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE
the student’s representative are invited to put
D7.
questions to the Head.
The Secretary of the Committee will notify the
f. The Chair then invites the student to put
student in writing of the time and place in which
forward a case orally if he or she wishes to do
the case will be heard.
so including any mitigation, and members of
D8.
the committee (but not the Head) are invited
The Secretary of the Committee will take notes of
to put questions to the student.
the meeting, taking particular care to record the
g. The Chair invites the student’s representative
reasons for the decision and the deliberation
to put forward any additional statement.
concerning the imposition of any penalty and the
h. The Chair invites the student to make any
alternatives from the set of possible penalties that
final response.
were considered.
i. The student, the student’s representative and
STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND REPRESENTATION the Head are then asked to leave the room.
D9. j. The Committee then deliberates and comes
If the student admits to the charge by informing to a decision as to whether an offence has
the Dean in writing within five working days of been committed.
notification of the charge, he or she need not k. The Committee then determines the
attend the Committee and the Committee shall be appropriate penalty from the set of penalties
free to proceed in his or her absence. In such a available to it, clarifying the reasons for the
case a student may submit a statement in choice of penalty.
mitigation. l. The student is then recalled to the room to be
D10. told the decision as to whether the alleged
The student charged will be invited to be present offence is confirmed and, if so, the penalty
at the committee whenever oral evidence is being and the reasons why this is the appropriate
heard by the Committee. He or she may bring a penalty. The Head of Department may be
student or other member of the University or present during this final stage.
Students’ Union to help him or her in presenting D15.
his or her case to the Committee. Where the student’s case is being heard by an
D11. Academic Offences Committee because it is a
The Committee may proceed in the absence of subsequent offence this information will be
the student or the student’s representative included in the papers given to the Committee in
provided that the Chair is satisfied that due notice advance of the meeting.
has been given to the student. D16.
D12. An Academic Offences Committee should not
Where appropriate, a student is entitled to see a take a student’s array of marks into consideration
copy of paperwork relating to the alleged offence when allocating a penalty.
at least one day prior to the Academic Offences D17.
Committee. Only members of the Committee and the
Secretary shall be present while a committee is
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
reaching a decision of innocence or guilt, or on
D13.
any penalty or other action.
The Chair of the Committee shall have the
authority to determine the order of proceedings ADJOURNMENT
and exclude any material which appears D18.
irrelevant to the case. The Committee may adjourn:
D14. a. in order to enable the student or the student’s
The usual pattern of proceedings is: representative to be present;
a. The members of the Committee have a b. where this is necessary to obtain further
preliminary discussion without the student, information.
the student’s representative or the Head D19.
being present. The Committee shall meet to consider an
b. The student, the student’s representative and adjourned case as soon as it is feasible and not
the Head enter the room and the Chair later than three months after the adjournment,
introduces all those present. although the case need not be determined at the
resumed meeting. If necessary, the Dean may co-
opt additional members to replace any member xi. a mark of zero be awarded for the
not able to attend the reconvened meeting, module and the student be permitted to
including a new chair. If there are two new complete credits for an exit award only;
members the reconvened meeting shall proceed xii. a mark of zero be awarded for the
as a new hearing. If there is one new member the module and the Exam Board be
student may request that the meeting proceed as instructed to consider the student only
a new hearing. for an exit award on the basis of credits
already achieved; or
POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
xiii. the student be required to withdraw
D20.
without being awarded a degree or exit
An Academic Offences Committee shall have the
award (earned credits, that is credits
power to:
which have already been ratified by a
a. determine that an offence has not been
Board of Examiners, can be recorded).
committed.
c. In the case of a research student where the
b. determine that an offence has been
alleged offence occurs prior to submission an
committed and impose one of the following
Academic Offences Committee shall have the
penalties:
power to:
i. a formal written warning only;
i. determine that an offence has not been
ii. unit of assessment to be referenced
committed;
correctly and assessed for an uncapped
ii. determine that an offence has been
mark;
committed and impose one of the
iii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and
following penalties:
assessed for an uncapped mark (this
(a) a formal written warning only;
penalty should only be applied where
(b) the student’s registration be
the offence does not simply involve
downgraded and he or she can only
referencing, and for those courses
be considered for a lower award; or
where the Rules of Assessment permit
(c) the student be required to withdraw.
resubmission of failed work prior to the
d. In the case of a research student where the
Exam Board);
alleged offence occurs after submission an
iv. unit of assessment be referenced
Academic Offences Committee shall have the
correctly and assessed for the maximum
power to:
of a capped pass mark;
i. determine that an offence has not been
v. unit of assessment rewritten and
committed;
assessed for the maximum of a capped
ii. determine that an offence has been
pass mark (this penalty should only be
committed and impose one of the
applied where the offence does not
following penalties;
simply involve referencing, and for those
(a) the Examiners be instructed to
courses where the Rules of Assessment
consider the thesis, based on the
permit resubmission of failed work prior
unplagiarised sections, for a lower
to the Exam Board);
award with the outcomes limited to
vi. the student resit the examination for the
those available for a referred thesis;
maximum of a capped pass mark;
or
vii. unit of assessment to be referenced
(b) the student be required to withdraw
correctly and assessed for credit
(any earned credits can be
purposes only, with a mark of zero to be
recorded).
retained for all calculations, including
degree classification; RECORD
viii. unit of assessment to be rewritten and D21.
assessed for credit purposes only with A note of the committee’s meeting, including the
mark of zero retained for all calculations, decision and the grounds for it, will be taken by
including degree classification (this the Secretary.
penalty should only be applied where
CHAIR’S DUTIES
the offence does not simply involve
D22.
referencing, and for those courses
The Chair shall ensure that:
where the Rules of Assessment permit
a. each student is informed in writing of the
resubmission of failed work prior to the
Committee’s decision and of the student’s
Exam Board);
right to appeal against the decision;
ix. a mark of zero be awarded for the unit of
b. a note is kept on the student’s central file of
assessment with no resubmission or
the decision and the reasons for it;
second attempt permitted;
c. the Head of Department is informed of the
x. a mark of zero be awarded for the entire
decision.
module with no resubmission or second
attempt permitted;
E. Appeals against decisions by Heads, Deans DUTIES OF THE APPOINTED DEAN
or Academic Offences Committees E6.
RIGHT OF APPEAL The Appointed Dean shall inform in writing each
E1. student who lodges a request for an appeal,
A student shall have the right of appeal to an normally within ten days of the receipt by him or
Academic Offences Appeal Committee against her of that request, whether or not in his or her
any decision of a Head of Department, Dean or judgement the request discloses a proper ground
Academic Offences Committee (hereafter ‘the for an appeal.
Initial Adjudicator’) on the following grounds: E7.
a. that there is material evidence now available If there are proper grounds for an appeal the
which was not previously available to the Appointed Dean shall request that the Initial
Initial Adjudicator and of such a nature as to Adjudicator against whose decision the appeal is
cause reasonable doubt as to whether the made, write a Statement of the Case, which shall
result might have been different had the include:
material been available; a. details of the charge or charges in respect of
b. that the Initial Adjudicator departed from the which the decision was made;
provisions of sections B, C or D in a manner b. a brief summary of the evidence and of the
prejudicial to the interests of the student and relevant findings;
causing reasonable doubt as to whether the c. the decision;
result might have been different had this not d. details of any penalty imposed;
occurred; e. a brief comment as to the reason for such
c. that the facts set out in the findings of the findings, decision and penalty; and
Initial Adjudicator do not warrant the f. any further information which the person or
resolution that there was an academic body concerned considers to be relevant.
offence as charged; E8.
d. that the penalty imposed by the Initial The Appointed Dean must notify the student and
Adjudicator was unreasonable having regard the Initial Adjudicator of the time and place at
to all the circumstances of the case. which the appeal will be heard.
E9.
LODGING AN APPEAL
The Appointed Dean must inform the student of
E2.
his or her right to bring a student or other member
A student who wishes to appeal against the
of the University or Students’ Union to help in
outcome of these procedures should write to the
presenting the appeal to the Committee.
Academic Registrar within five working days of
E10.
the date on which notification of the decision was
The Appointed Dean will provide the student and
sent to the student concerned by the Initial
the Initial Adjudicator with a copy of the statement
Adjudicator. If the student can show to the
of the case in advance of the meeting of the
satisfaction of the PVC (Academic Standards)
Academic Offences Appeal Committee.
that circumstances beyond his or her control
prevented this time limit being adhered to and MEMBERSHIP OF AN ACADEMIC OFFENCES APPEAL
that injustice would result from adhering to it, the COMMITTEE
Academic Registrar may extend the time limit in E11.
which an appeal may be lodged up to the period An Academic Offences Appeal Committee is a
of thirty days from the date on which the committee of Senate. Members of the Committee
notification of the decision was sent. must be drawn from the University Academic
E3. Offences Panel.
The written appeal shall set out in detail the E12.
grounds of the appeal. An Academic Offences Appeal Committee
E4. consists of the Appointed Dean in the chair, and
The student may withdraw an appeal as of right at two members of staff from outside the student’s
any time before the meeting of the Committee. Department who have had no connection with the
case.
DUTIES OF THE PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (ACADEMIC E13.
STANDARDS) The Appeal Committee will be serviced by a
E5. Secretary.
On receipt of an Appeal the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
(Academic Standards) shall nominate a Dean
E14.
who has no previous involvement with the case
The Chair of the Committee shall have the
(hereafter the Appointed Dean) to deal with the
authority to determine the order of proceedings
appeal.
and exclude any material which appears
irrelevant to the case.
E19.
The Committee shall meet to consider an
E15. adjourned case as soon as it is feasible and not
The usual pattern of proceedings is: later than three months after the adjournment,
a. The members of the Committee have a although the case need not be determined at the
preliminary discussion without the student, resumed meeting. If necessary, the Appointed
the student’s representative or the Initial Dean may co-opt additional members to replace
Adjudicator being present. any member not able to attend the reconvened
b. The student, the student’s representative and meeting, including a new chair. If there are two
the Initial Adjudicator enter the room and the new members the reconvened meeting shall
Chair introduces all those present. proceed as a new hearing. If there is one new
c. The Chair checks that the student has member the student may request that the meeting
received details of the case and any proceed as a new hearing.
supporting documentation.
POWERS OF AN ACADEMIC OFFENCES APPEAL
d. The Chair explains the order of proceedings
COMMITTEE
to the student.
E20.
e. The evidence relating to the alleged offence
An Academic Offences Appeal Committee shall
is then presented by the Initial Adjudicator
have the power to:
and members of the Committee are invited to
a. rescind a resolution of a Head, Dean or
put questions to the Initial Adjudicator.
Academic Offences Committee that the
f. The Chair then invites the student to put
student has committed an offence and
forward a case orally if he or she wishes to do
rescind all consequential penalties;
so including any mitigation, and members of
b. confirm a resolution of a Head, Dean or
the committee (but not the Initial Adjudicator)
Academic Offences Committee that the
are invited to put questions to the student.
student has committed an academic offence;
g. The Chair invites the student’s representative
c. confirm or amend (increasing or decreasing)
to put forward any additional statement.
the penalty allocated by a Head, Dean or
h. The Chair invites the student to make any
Academic Offences Committee, provided that
final response.
any amendment is consistent with the powers
i. The student, the student’s representative and
of the original authority.
the Initial Adjudicator are then asked to leave
E21.
the room.
A note of the committee’s meeting, including the
j. The Committee then deliberates and comes
decision and the grounds for it, will be taken by
to a decision as to whether an offence has
the Secretary.
been committed.
E22.
k. The Committee then determines the
The number of cases dealt with by an Academic
appropriate penalty from the set of penalties
Offences Appeals Committee under these
available to it, clarifying the reasons for the
procedures shall be reported by the Academic
choice of penalty.
Registrar to Senate on an annual basis.
l. The student is then recalled to the room to be
told the decision as to whether the alleged FURTHER APPEALS
offence is confirmed and, if so, the penalty E23.
and the reasons why this is the appropriate Any appeal following the formal conclusion of the
penalty. The Initial Adjudicator may be appeals procedures set out above may be made
present during this final stage. on the grounds of procedural irregularities in the
E16. appeals process only. A student who wishes to
The Committee may proceed in the absence of appeal against the outcome of these procedures
the student or the student’s representative should write to the Academic Registrar within four
provided that the Chair is satisfied that due notice weeks of the Appeal hearing setting out in detail
has been given to the student. the nature of the evidence to support the claim
E17. that there were procedural irregularities in the
Only members of the Committee and the appeals process. If prima facie there is evidence
Secretary shall be present while a committee is to support the claim then the case will be
reaching a decision of innocence or guilt, or on reviewed by a Pro-Vice-Chancellor. If the Pro-
any penalty or other action. Vice-Chancellor determines that there were
procedural irregularities in the appeals process
ADJOURNMENT
then the case will be referred to an Appeals
E18.
Committee for consideration.
The Committee may adjourn:
E24.
a. in order to enable the student or the student’s
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for
representative to be present;
Higher Education (OIA) provides an independent
b. where this is necessary to obtain further
scheme for the review of student complaints or
information.
appeals. When the University’s internal
procedures for dealing with complaints and F4.
appeals have been exhausted, the University will If reassessment for the module is not on a like-
issue a Completion of Procedures letter. Students for-like basis then the allocated penalty will be
wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity of applied to the overall module mark in proportion
an independent review by the OIA must submit to the weighting of the penalised unit of
their application to the OIA within three months of assessment.
the issue of the Completion of Procedures letter. F5.
Full details of the scheme are available on In cases where the module mark is determined by
request and will be enclosed with the Completion either the aggregate of coursework and
of Procedures letter. examination or examination only, whichever is the
higher, then any penalty applied to an element of
ACADEMIC OFFENCES PENALTY the coursework component will result in the
GUIDELINES FOR HEADS, DEANS AND student’s final module mark being determined by
ACADEMIC OFFENCES COMMITTEES the aggregate of coursework and examination:
the student will not be entitled to have their
PRINCIPLES
module mark determined by examination only.
F1.
F6.
In determining penalties Heads, Deans and
In cases where a module mark is determined by
Academic Offences Committees will take the
the best grades of a student’s work (for example
following into account:
the best three out of four units of assessments)
the unit(s) of assessment to which a penalty has
a. the degree of severity of the offence
been applied must be included in the final
b. whether it is a first or subsequent offence
aggregate. The student will not be entitled to have
c. the academic stage the student has reached
the module mark determined by discounting any
(first year u/g, Masters, etc)
such penalties.
d. any mitigating circumstances
(see the Guidelines for Penalties’ tables for DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY
further guidance) F7.
An examination is to be defined as any
APPLICATION
assessment under controlled conditions, including
F2.
an in-class test.
Any penalty allocated by a Head of Department, a
F8.
Dean or an Academic Offences Committee will
A unit of assessment is to be defined as any
also apply to any reassessment of the unit of
element of a module which contributes to a final
assessment in question allowed by subsequent
module mark.
Exam Boards.
F3.
If a student does not take the opportunity to
submit a correctly referenced or rewritten unit of
assessment, or resit the examination, then a mark
of zero will be allocated and no further
submission for credit or otherwise will be allowed.
GUIDELINES
The guidelines presented below are guidelines only and it is very important that those making
decisions about penalties take the evidence with which they have been provided and any mitigating
circumstances into account.
Table 1: Guidelines for penalties for first offences in taught courses
Offence Penalties graded by severity
Band 1 Relatively minor offence – eg 1. A formal written warning only
plagiarising a few lines; taking a few 2a. Unit of assessment to be referenced
notes into an examination that are not correctly and assessed for an uncapped
relevant to the examination. mark
2b. Unit of assessment to be rewritten
and assessed for an uncapped mark (this
penalty should only be applied where the
offence does not simply involve
referencing, and for those courses where
the Rules of Assessment permit
resubmission of failed work prior to the
Exam Board)
Band 2 Rather more severe offence – eg 3a. Unit of assessment to be referenced
plagiarism is somewhat more extensive correctly and assessed for the maximum
(but less than 25%), the sources of a capped pass
plagiarised are not listed but there is still 3b. Unit of assessment to be rewritten
a substantial proportion of the student’s and assessed for the maximum of a
own work; or the plagiarism is more capped pass mark (this penalty should
extensive but the work submitted is an only be applied where the offence does
early unit of assessment for a module, not simply involve referencing, and for
and the evidence indicates that there those courses where the Rules of
has been a failure to understand the Assessment permit resubmission of failed
academic conventions. work prior to the Exam Board)
Band 3 Severe offence – eg plagiarism 4. Student to resit the examination for the
extending to a substantial proportion of maximum of a capped pass mark
the work (25% or more); falsifying some 5a. Unit of assessment to be referenced
data or evidence; cheating in an correctly and assessed for credit
examination; taking a small amount of purposes
relevant material into an examination. 5b. Unit of assessment to be rewritten
and assessed for credit purposes only
6. Mark of zero be awarded for the unit of
assessment with no resubmission or
second attempt
7. Mark of zero be awarded for the
module with no resubmission or second
attempt
Band 4 Very severe offence – eg obtaining 8. Mark of zero be awarded for the
work from someone else; copying the module and student may complete credits
work of another student almost in its for an exit award.
entirety; falsifying the majority of data or 9. A mark of zero be awarded for the
evidence; taking a significant amount of module and the Examination Board be
relevant material into an examination; instructed to consider the student only for
attempts to avoid detection by an exit award on the basis of credits
plagiarism software; impersonation of a already achieved.
student in an examination. 10. The student be required to withdraw
without being awarded a degree or exit
award (earned credits, that is credits
which have already been ratified by a
Board of Examiners, can be recorded).
Table 2: Guidelines for penalties for subsequent offences for taught courses
Subsequent Offence Subsequent Offence Subsequent Offence
is Band 1 is Band 2 is Band 3 or 4
First 3a. Unit of assessment to be 5a. Unit of assessment to be 6. Mark of zero be awarded for
Offence referenced correctly and referenced correctly and the unit of assessment with no
was assessed for the maximum assessed for credit purposes resubmission or second attempt
Band 1 of a capped pass 5b. Unit of assessment to be 7. Mark of zero be awarded for
3b. Unit of assessment to be rewritten and assessed for the module with no resubmission
rewritten and assessed for credit purposes only or second attempt
the maximum of a capped 6. Mark of zero be awarded 8. Mark of zero be awarded for
pass mark (this penalty for the unit of assessment the module and student may
should only be applied with no resubmission or complete credits for an exit
where the offence does not second attempt award.
simply involve referencing, 7. Mark of zero be awarded 9. A mark of zero be awarded for
and for those courses where for the module with no the module and the Examination
the Rules of Assessment resubmission or second Board be instructed to consider
permit resubmission of failed attempt the student only for an exit
work prior to the Exam award on the basis of credits
Board) already achieved.
4. Student to resit the 10. The student be required to
examination for the withdraw without being awarded
maximum of a capped pass a degree or exit award (earned
mark credits, that is credits which
have already been ratified by a
Board of Examiners, can be
recorded).
First 5a. Unit of assessment to be 8. Mark of zero be awarded 10. The student be required to
Offence referenced correctly and for the module and student withdraw without being awarded
was assessed for credit purposes may complete credits for an a degree or exit award (earned
Band 2 5b. Unit of assessment to be exit award. credits, that is credits which
rewritten and assessed for 9. A mark of zero be awarded have already been ratified by a
credit purposes only for the module and the Board of Examiners, can be
6. Mark of zero be awarded Examination Board be recorded).
for the unit of assessment instructed to consider the
with no resubmission or student only for an exit award
second attempt on the basis of credits
7. Mark of zero be awarded already achieved.
for the module with no 10. The student be required
resubmission or second to withdraw without being
attempt awarded a degree or exit
award (earned credits, that is
credits which have already
been ratified by a Board of
Examiners, can be recorded).
First 8. Mark of zero be awarded 10. The student be required 10. The student be required to
Offence for the module and student to withdraw without being withdraw without being awarded
was may complete credits for an awarded a degree or exit a degree or exit award (earned
Band 3 exit award. award (earned credits, that is credits, that is credits which
or 4 9. A mark of zero be credits which have already have already been ratified by a
awarded for the module and been ratified by a Board of Board of Examiners, can be
the Examination Board be Examiners, can be recorded). recorded).
instructed to consider the
student only for an exit
award on the basis of credits
already achieved.
10. The student be required
to withdraw without being
awarded a degree or exit
award (earned credits, that is
credits which have already
been ratified by a Board of
Examiners, can be
recorded).
