Unfair Means

Information about cheating and plagiarism in University assessments and exams.

What is unfair means?

In short, unfair means refers to cheating. It involves any attempt by a student to:

  • gain unfair advantage over another student in the completion of an assessment or exam; or
  • assist someone else in gaining an unfair advantage

Video: Unfair means

Consequences

If we find you using unfair means, you will face action by your academic department or formal disciplinary action.

You can find the Regulations Relating to the Discipline of Students in the University Calendar. 

How we detect it

We use a range of strategies to detect unfair means, including Turnitin, which helps detect plagiarism.

You're required to declare that all work submitted is entirely your own. Your department may require you to attach a declaration form to work that you submit.

Unfair means and online assessment (COVID-19)

COVID-19 may mean that your assessments are taking place online, but the rules around unfair means have not changed. Make sure you understand what is expected of you by watching the Your Exams: Online video.

Video: Your Exams: Online

Types of unfair means

Plagiarism 

When you accidentally or knowingly submit someone else’s work or ideas as your own - e.g. the work of an expert, lecturer, or fellow/former student - without making it clear that it is not your own work.

You can also self-plagiarise if you submit your own previously assessed work as part of a new assignment, without proper acknowledgement.

Essay buying

When you buy or commission part of or a whole piece of work from another student or an essay-writing website (essay “mill” or “bank”) and submit it as your own. This is an extremely serious form of plagiarism.

Collusion

When you work with someone else, or a group of others, on a piece of assessed work that you are supposed to be completing by yourself.

Fabrication

When you submit made-up information e.g. quotes, lab results, or survey findings that are untrue.

What happens when the Use of Unfair Means is detected

The University will commence procedures to investigate and, where appropriate, take action in response to the Use of Unfair Means. See: Guidance for Students Where Concerns are Raised About Their Use of Unfair Means.

How you can prevent it

Referencing is a key skill that can help you to prevent the use of unfair means. Whenever you take notes, you should note down referencing details at the same time, otherwise you may find it difficult to credit other scholars properly in assessed work later on.

Whether you're a home or an international student, you can book a one-to-one session with the English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) to help with your writing, including referencing skills.

The Library also offers information on plagiarism and tutorials on how to adhere to University referencing standards.

Please watch the video below for the key do’s and don’ts from the University’s Examination Regulations.

Video: Your exam do's and don'ts

How to appeal

If you wish to appeal against an unfair means decision taken by your academic department, please follow our Academic Appeals process.

If you wish to appeal against an unfair means decision resulting from a discipline hearing, please follow our Discipline Appeals process.

See also