If you have been accused of academic misconduct we can help you understand the process, draft statements, accompany you to panel meetings, understand the outcomes and what options you have to appeal.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic Misconduct refers to submitting work that isn’t your own, this is referred to as plagiarism. This may be intentional or unintentional but either way, the accusation is serious and can have a serious impact on your time at UAL.
At Arts SU Advice, we’ve written a quick guide on what you need to know if you’ve been accused of Academic Misconduct. This isn’t a substitute for advice so we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible.
Quick facts about Academic Misconduct at UAL
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic Misconduct refers to submitting work that isn’t your own.
How will my tutor know?
Plagiarism in written work is often flagged by Turnitin, a checking software that compares your work to others at UAL, students at other universities across the world, online sources and publications. In addition, tutors often recognise plagiarism as they will be well read in their subject area.
Tutors may also investigate plagiarism in practical assessments if they think you have copied concepts, were helped when you shouldn’t have been or submitted someone else’s work.
What happens next?
If you have been accused of misconduct you’ll be sent a letter (or email) from your tutor inviting you to a meeting to investigate this.
Average length of process
The length of this process can vary significantly.
Unsatisfied with the outcome?
You can appeal using the UAL appeals process.
I’ve been accused. What next?
If you’ve been accused of misconduct you’ll be sent a letter (or email) from your tutor inviting you to a meeting to discuss this. It’s often described as an ‘informal meeting’ but this is an investigatory meeting which will determine what will happen next so it’s important you’re prepared.
At the end of this meeting, your tutor will write some notes which you will sign. Only sign the notes if you agree with what they say.
If you agree that plagiarism took place then the exam board will likely impose a penalty set out in the regulations. If you disagree then an academic misconduct panel is likely to be convened.
The process
If you are suspected of misconduct the University will follow this general outline.
- Your Tutor will speak to the Course Leader regarding the case and present any evidence they have
- Your Course Leader will determine if they believe misconduct has taken place
- Minor Misconduct
They will assess the severity and determine the course of action
- You'll receive a letter informing you of the allegations and inviting you to a meeting and informing you of extra support
- Moderate / Serious Misconduct
Case referred to the Dean to consider if Disciplinary Procedures should be involved alongside Academic Misconduct Procedures
- You'll be sent a warning letter explaining the allegation, that it's under investigation and will include a copy of the Academic Misconduct Procedures
- Your Course Leader will lead an investigation
- You should be given at least 7 days notice of a meeting where you can discuss the allegations. If you can't attend, another meeting will be arranged
- You agree misconduct took place
- Your Course Leader will write a report and send this to the Board of Examiners
- The Board of Examiners will decide the outcome
- You disagree misconduct took place
- Your Course Leader will write a report and present it to the Chair of the Academic Misconduct Panel
- You'll be given 14 days notice of the hearing
- The Chair will review this and decide a course of action
- No Misconduct
They will close the case and no action will be taken
Types of Misconduct
Misconduct is broken into different types, below is a description of what each one might look like in practice and the potential outcomes. This list is only a guide.
| Misconduct type |
What it looks like |
Potential outcomes |
| Minor Misconduct |
A minor breach
Unintentional
Usually happens to first years |
Usually addressed through tutorial advice and support
|
| Moderate Misconduct |
Intentional
On a small scale
Little impact on final award |
F- for the assessment. Retake assessment, capped at D-
Or
F- for unit. Retake the unit, capped at D-, full fees charged |
| Serious Misconduct |
Intentional
On a significant scale
This is the second offence
You’ll be in your final year |
F- for the unit. Retake Unit, charged at full fees
Or
F- for the stage. Retake Unit, charged at full fees |
| Disciplinary Offences |
Stealing the work of others
Fraud
Copyright theft |
Expulsion
Revoking an awarded degree |
What can the Arts SU Advice Service do for me during the UAL Academic Misconduct process?
- Advise you on the process
- Read over any documents you receive and help you make sense of them
- Help you structure what you’ll say during the panel
- Accompany you to any meetings you might have