What is Exam Misconduct?

In cases of exam misconduct, the University defines it as:

“Having an unauthorised mechanical or electronic device on one’s person within an assessment venue or ancillary area, such as a cloakroom or toilets. Where such devices, including mobile phones and smart watches, are permitted to be brought into an assessment venue, they must be switched off and placed in the container provided for this purpose. The container must then be placed on the floor in full view of the invigilators before the start of the assessment and for the duration of the assessment.”

What this means is that if you were found to be in possession of an unauthorised device (like your mobile phone, smart watch, calculator or notes) you would highly likely be flagged for Exam Misconduct.

Online examinations are slightly different, but it means that the University have reason to suspect that you may have cheated including talking to colleagues about the exam, completing the exam too quickly (implying that you may have had the answers) or, having the same answers as someone else in an essay based question. Most allegations for online exams will be dealt with through the normal Academic misconduct process (i.e. you will be invited to an interview).

The University have ways of identifying misconduct for online examinations, including the time it has taken you to complete the assessment/questions, so don't get caught out. You may want to visit our Avoiding Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism page for tips on how to avoid plagiarism.

How can the Students’ Union help?

If you have been emailed a letter then we can help walk you through the process that you will happen and the penalties that might be applied. We can also give some guidance as to why your case might have been considered exam misconduct.

If you want to make representations to the University, we can help you prepare a statement for your case or, attend a meeting with you. For support, please email us as soon as you receive your letter.

What can I expect to happen?

If the University deem that academic misconduct has occurred, they will investigate this further through a formal academic misconduct procedure. The way in which this is dealt with will be outlined below:

You should receive a letter including allegations of exam misconduct, explaining what it is that has been deemed as exam misconduct in your case.
Once you receive the letter, you will be given the chance to discuss the issue which occurred during your exam and reply to any comments made, if you want to. If you don’t want to, or you don’t respond by the deadline on the letter, then the University will assume you do not wish to respond and you will be given a penalty.
1. We suggest any student wishing to respond to allegations contact the students union for advice first.
The University may then invite you to an interview, if the case is complex or there is more to answer. Have a look at our Academic Integrity page.

Exam Misconduct

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I need to speak to an advisor

I need more wellbeing support

I think this may be a Disciplinary

I need to submit an EC