Academic Misconduct: Accusations of Plagiarism, Collusion etc.

Getting told that you’ve been accused of academic misconduct—whether it’s plagiarism, collusion, or multiple submission—can feel overwhelming, but don’t panic. The University takes these matters seriously, but this process is about understanding what happened and giving you a chance to explain your side of things. The outcomes depend on factors like the severity of the situation, whether it’s your first offence, and how it affects your overall grades. In more serious cases, it could lead to failing the module, which might impact your degree. However, this is all part of a fair process that ensures everyone has the opportunity to present their case.

INITIAL REVIEW

If a lecturer or examiner spots something in your coursework that raises concerns—whether it’s potential plagiarism, working too closely with another student (collusion), or reusing past work without permission (multiple submission)—they’ll report it to the Chair of the Board of Examiners. Your department might check other pieces of work to see if there’s a pattern, and a preliminary investigation will take place. If misconduct is confirmed, any personal circumstances—like health issues or other challenges—will be considered. It’s important to be honest and share any relevant information that might have influenced your work.

EXAMINATION PANEL

If the University thinks there’s enough evidence of academic misconduct, you’ll be invited to a meeting with a panel of examiners. You’ll get at least five working days’ notice before the meeting, and you can bring someone for support—this could be a staff member from your College, Department, or the DSU Advice Centre. The idea of a formal meeting can sound intimidating, but it’s really just a chance for you to explain what happened. Legal representation isn’t allowed, but you’ll have the opportunity to share your perspective and provide any relevant information.

How can you prepare? Take some time to reflect on how you normally complete your assignments. Think about how you approached this particular piece of work and whether there was any confusion about referencing, group work boundaries, or submission rules. If personal challenges affected your ability to do your best work, mention them, and if you have any supporting evidence, such as a doctor’s note, bring it along. It might also help to jot down a brief summary of what happened so you can be clear on what you want to say in the meeting.

WRITING A STATEMENT

You may want to prepare a written statement ahead of your meeting to ensure your side of the story is fully represented. This is your chance to explain your approach to the work in question and clear up any misunderstandings. Here are a few things to think about when writing it:

• Be honest and straightforward – Clearly explain how you completed the work and respond to any concerns raised.
• Own up to mistakes (if any) – If you made an error, it’s okay to admit it. Showing that you understand what went wrong can be helpful.
• Give context – If there were personal circumstances, confusion over the guidelines, or anything else that played a role, mention it.
• Clarify group work rules – If you worked with others, explain the extent of collaboration and whether you understood the limits.
• Keep it professional – Stay polite and focus on explaining your perspective clearly.
• Think about what you’ve learned – This experience, while stressful, can be a learning opportunity. Consider how you’ll move forward and include this — maybe by improving your referencing, being clearer about group work expectations, or asking for more guidance when needed.
• Get support – If you’re unsure how to structure your statement, reach out to a tutor, an academic adviser, or the DSU Advice Centre.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

Once the panel has reviewed everything, they’ll decide what happens next. The outcomes could be:

• No further action – If they find that no misconduct took place.
• A warning and some guidance – If it was a minor issue or a misunderstanding.
• Partial marking – If only parts of your work are original, they may grade just those sections.
• A mark of 0 for the work – Given when the misconduct is more serious.
• A mark of 0 for the whole module – A bigger penalty, usually for repeat offences.
• Referral to the Student Discipline Process – If the case is severe, it could go to a formal disciplinary committee, which could have more serious consequences, including expulsion.

If your case is referred to the Student Discipline Process, you can view [this article] on what to expect next..

APPEALS PROCESS

If you don’t agree with the outcome, you may have the option to appeal: Academic decisions made by the Board of Examiners (e.g. marks reduction) can be appealed through the academic appeals process within 14 days, whereas, disciplinary decisions made by the SDC are different, and guidance can be found [here]. 

If you think you want to appeal, check the guidelines carefully and make sure you submit your request on time.

SUPPORT

You don’t have to go through this alone. There’s plenty of support available if you need help:

• Your Department – They can clarify things like referencing rules, AI usage, and academic integrity expectations.
• Us! (ASK SU) – A great place for independent advice and support.
• College Support Staff – They’re there for both academic and personal support.
• Academic Advisers – Can help you understand University regulations and prepare for meetings.
• Academic Skills Centre – Provides resources to help you develop your writing, referencing, and collaboration skills so you can feel more confident in your work moving forward.

Facing an accusation of plagiarism, collusion, or multiple submission can feel intimidating, but this is a chance to explain your side and for the University to ensure everything is handled fairly. Stay calm, be honest, and reach out for support when you need it. Mistakes happen, and the University’s procedures are designed to be fair and take individual circumstances into account.

This is a learning opportunity, and by taking steps to strengthen your academic skills—whether it’s improving your referencing, understanding group work expectations, managing time better, or asking for help when needed—you can move forward with confidence. If you’re unsure about anything, reach out—there are plenty of people who want to help. You’ve got this!