My department have told me they suspect that I have committed academic misconduct in one of my coursework assignments and have asked me to attend an interview; what is this?
This meeting has been arranged so that the department can discuss their concerns with you, and to explore whether the matter can be resolved at departmental level, under the Local Academic Misconduct Procedure.
Following the interview, if you agree with the department’s conclusions, you will be invited to sign a declaration accepting the misconduct; you will be awarded a mark of 0 and provided with the opportunity to resit your work.
If you do not agree with the department’s conclusions, the matter will be referred to Student Conduct & Appeals and considered by a Misconduct Committee.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure, please read How does the university handle academic misconduct?
If I don’t attend the interview with my department, what will happen?
You are expected to attend the interview. If you are unable to attend please inform the department immediately, outlining the reason(s) why you cannot attend.
The department will determine whether your interview can be postponed or whether to make a finding of academic misconduct. If they make a finding of academic misconduct you will have 5 working days, from the date that they inform you in writing, to contest the outcome. If you do not contest the outcome the matter will be concluded. If you do contest the outcome the matter will be referred to Student Conduct & Appeals for Misconduct proceedings and for the case to be heard by a Misconduct Committee.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read:
An Examination Conduct Report was given to me after my exam today; what does this mean?
Such a report means you are suspected of breaching the exam rules during your exam. All reports are submitted to Student Conduct & Appeals, who will consider the allegations.
They will determine which of the 3 permitted outcomes apply:
- the matter may be escalated to a Misconduct Committee;
- you be issued with a warning;
- no action be taken.
You will receive the outcome as soon as possible after the examination period.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read:
I have been invited to a preliminary enquiry interview for non-academic misconduct; what is this?
Such an interview will have been arranged to discuss allegations of misconduct reported to Student Conduct & Appeals, as part of the investigatory process. It provides an opportunity for you to respond to the allegations and to provide any evidence you wish to be considered.
Following the interview, Student Conduct & Appeals will determine which of the 3 permitted outcomes apply:
- the matter may be escalated to a Misconduct Committee;
- you be issued with a warning;
- no action be taken.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read:
- How does the university handle academic misconduct?
- How does the university handle non-academic misconduct?
I have been told my case is going to a Misconduct Committee; what does this mean?
If your case has been referred to a Misconduct Committee for consideration, the allegations against you have been deemed to be a major breach of the Misconduct Policy and Procedure.
Student Conduct & Appeals is responsible for organising the Misconduct Committee to consider your case; and you will receive information regarding the Committee and all of the relevant documentation at least 14 days before the Committee.
You may submit any additional documentation, evidence, and the names of any witnesses no later than 7 days before the Committee.
The Committee will consider all of the evidence before it and make a decision as to whether the charge is upheld or not. If they uphold the charge, they will consider which penalty/penalties are appropriate.
The decision of the Committee will be communicated to you within 7 days of the hearing.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read:
- How does the university handle academic misconduct?
- How does the university handle non-academic misconduct?
For further guidance on Committee procedures please refer to our article What can I expect at an Appeal Committee hearing?
If I don’t attend the Committee, what will happen?
You are expected to attend the Hearing. If you do not attend your case can proceed in your absence. If you are unable to attend please inform Student Conduct & Appeals immediately, outlining the reason(s) why you cannot attend. The Chair of the Committee will determine whether your Hearing can be postponed.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read:
- How does the university handle academic misconduct?
- How does the university handle non-academic misconduct?
For further guidance on Committee procedures please refer to our article What can I expect at an Appeal Committee hearing?
I’m not happy with the outcome of the Misconduct Committee, what can I do?
You may submit an appeal against the findings of the Misconduct Committee if you wish to challenge its decision. However, there are set grounds that an appeal can be submitted on, which are set out on the Misconduct Committee Appeal Form and in the Misconduct Policy and Procedure. Appeals based on disagreement alone are not permitted.
The Misconduct Appeal Form should be submitted within 14 days of the Committee outcome to Student Conduct & Appeals by email.
You should normally receive a decision within 30 working days of receipt.
If you have not received a decision within this timeframe, please contact Student Conduct & Appeals for an update on your case.
For further information on the Misconduct Policy and Procedure please read: