The University launched a new Academic Integrity Procedure in August 2023. This replaced the Assessment Irregularity Procedure.
The University’s academic integrity procedure help to maintain academic integrity and address unfair practices.
Academic misconduct include acts or omissions by a student that have the potential to give an unfair advantage in assessments. This includes things like:
Students may find it helpful to review the resource Cheating unwrapped (PowerPoint) for information on what constitutes an assessment offence/academic misconduct and for sources of academic support for assessment.
The way in which the investigation will be handled varies depending on the alleged offence.
Raising Concerns
If academic misconduct is suspected, a marker/ member of academic staff will consult the Responsible Examiner and they will jointly reach an initial view as to whether they suspect academic misconduct. If one agrees but one does not, an Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) will be asked their view. The following will then occur:
- If it is decided that there is no suspicion of academic misconduct, the work is marked as usual and you would not be made aware of this discussion.
- If it is decided that there is a suspicion of academic misconduct, the Responsible Examiner/AIO will arrange for a formal discussion so they can understand the situation from your point of view.
- A separate process applies where the alleged misconduct is not a matter of academic judgement (as detailed in section 12 of the Academic Integrity Procedure)
Investigating Concerns
You would be given 5 working days’ notice of the meeting with the AIO/Responsible Examiner. You could bring a friend or a Students’ Union representative to the meeting. You will receive details of the allegation and a TURNITIN report (if relevant).
During the meeting, you will have the opportunity to explain how you approached the assessment task and the AIO/Responsible Examiner will show you why academic misconduct was suspected. You will also have the opportunity to raise any previously undisclosed special circumstances that may have impacted on your ability to make a rational choice at the time that the work was produced.
Please note, if you do not turn up to a formal discussion, the case could be considered in your absence.
Outcomes of the meeting
Following the formal discussion and normally within 10 University working days of the instance of possible academic misconduct being identified, the Responsible Examiner/AIO produces a report which has one of the following five outcomes (based on the balance of probabilities):
Outcome 1 NO ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT (there is no evidence of academic misconduct)
➢ no further action is taken
➢ marking of the work in question is resumed and processed in the normal way
Outcome 2 POOR ACADEMIC PRACTICE (the work includes material that is the product of poor academic practice)
➢ you receive a copy of the notes of the formal discussion
➢ access to advice and support provided by the University is recommended
➢ marking of the work in question is resumed and processed in the normal way without attributing marks to any sections of the work that has been produced by third parties (unless the assessment is group work)
➢ notification of a finding of poor academic practice is recorded
Outcome 3 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT WITH NO PENALTY (the work includes material that is the product of academic misconduct and there is evidence of special circumstances)
➢ the Responsible Examiner/AIO will instruct the relevant Board of Examiners to void the assessment and to allow a new attempt.
➢ you receive a copy of the notes from the meeting.
➢ access advice and support is recommended
Outcome 4 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT WITH PENALTY (the work includes material that is the product of academic misconduct and there is no evidence of special circumstances)
➢you are informed of o reasons for the decision and the penalty applied
➢ access advice and support is recommended
➢ for programmes accredited by a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB) the email is also copied to the relevant Academic Registry staff for consideration, if necessary, under the Procedure for Fitness to Study or Practice.
Outcome 5 REFER TO PANEL (the academic misconduct is deemed to be particularly complex, of the highest severity, or is a third offence, and that the matter should be referred for consideration by an Academic Misconduct Panel (as per section 14).
➢ you are informed of o reasons for the decision.
Academic Misconduct Panels
If your case is referred to a panel, please refer to section 14 of the Academic Integrity Procedure.
Appealing the outcome
Students have the right to appeal an academic misconduct penalty decision on specific grounds. The process for this is outlined in section 15 of the Academic Integrity Procedure. When making an appeal it is for the student to show that one or more of the grounds below apply:
• that staff or bodies have failed to follow regulations and/or procedures or have failed to follow them with due care
• that staff or bodies have shown bias or prejudice towards the student in the way they have made the relevant decision
• that relevant new evidence has become available that should be considered and there are valid reasons why it was not provided earlier
• that the decision was unreasonable and/or the penalty imposed was not proportionate in all of the circumstances
The standard of proof is that of the balance of probability; that it is more likely than not that something was or was not the case.
An appeal against a decision where only the opinion of academic expert(s) will suffice is deemed to be a challenge to academic judgement and will not be considered.
Students have 10 working days (from the date they receive the outcome) to submit an appeal to scc@sgul.ac.uk.
Support and advice
The President of Welfare and the Education and Walfare Support Officer are able to meet with students to guide them through the operation of the student procedures and provide general advice and support.
Students and staff with Equality and Inclusion queries should contact Sanjana Panchagnula (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Adviser).
All St George’s students can access an external online support service called Togetherall. This service is available 24/7 and is completely anonymous. They also offer a number of self-guided support courses. More information about Togetherall can be found on the University’s Togetherall webpage and in the following resources:
Students in the early stages of Higher Education may be unfamiliar with how to reference properly. If you are worried about this, please visit the Study+ pages on Canvas which contain useful information on referencing.
You can also seek help from our Academic Success Centre or your Personal Tutor.