University of Wolverhampton

Academic Misconduct: Flow Chart

The University of Wolverhampton is an ethical University, committed to ensuring the academic integrity of our academic
community. The University considers seriously all acts of academic misconduct. If not challenged; academic misconduct will
ultimately devalue our academic standards and undermine the honest efforts on the part of our staff and students.
Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, collusion and cheating and may be deliberate or unintentional. Whatever form it
takes, it will be thoroughly investigated and penalties will be applied if proven.
Full details on the Regulations and Procedure for the Investigation of Academic Misconduct, including the Penalty Tariff, are
available at:
http://www.wlv.ac.uk/pdf/Regulations%20and%20Procedure%20for%20the%20investigation%20of%20Academic%20Misconduct.pdf

Types of Academic Misconduct

.

Plagiarism is the act of taking

Collusion is when two or more

Cheating is defined as any attempt

someone elses work and passing it

off as your own. This includes
incorporating either unattributed
#
direct quotation(s) or substantial
paraphrasing from the work of
another/others. It is important to
cite all sources whose work has
been drawn on and reference them
fully in accordance with the
referencing standard used in each
academic school.

people combine to produce a piece

of work for assessment that is
passed off as the work of one
student alone. The work may be so
alike in content, wording and
structure that the similarity goes
beyond what might have been
coincidence. For example where
one student has copied the work of
another, or where a joint effort has
taken place in producing what
should have been an individual
effort.
.

to gain unfair advantage in an

assessment by dishonest means,
and includes, for example, all
breaches of examination room
rules,
impersonating
another
student, stealing another students
work, commissioning work from a
third party falsifying data, and
obtaining an examination paper in
advance of its authorised release.
Cheating attracts the Universitys
most severe penalties.
.

Stage 1 Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct is suspected

School agrees a date with the Conduct

and Appeals Unit for a Hearing

Module leader records AM

grade on e:Vision

By post and to
Students
University email
account at least 7
working days
before the hearing
date

Student is invited attend a Stage 1

Academic Misconduct Hearing
.

Stage 1 Academic Misconduct

Hearing is held
.

By post and to
Students
University email
account within 7
working days of
the hearing

Student is notified in writing of the

outcome of the hearing and any
penalty imposed.
.

At this point Students are

strongly advised to seek
support from the Students
Union Advice and Support
Centre. www.wolvesunion.org
If a student fails to attend the
meeting without a valid
reason, a decision will be
taken in their absence

Outcome and Penalty are

recorded on the Students
Record in e:Vision/SITS

Students have the right to appeal against the decision reached by a Stage One Hearing

University of Wolverhampton
Academic Misconduct: Flow Chart
Stage 2 Appeal Against the Outcome of a Stage 1 Hearing
Valid grounds for an appeal against the outcome at Stage 1
Academic Misconduct Suspected
That an administrative error or material irregularity has occurred in the conduct of the investigation.
That there were undisclosed personal circumstances which the student believes would have affected the decision
taken by the Panel had they been aware of them. The student must have a good reason not to have disclosed
these circumstances at the Stage 1 Hearing

20
working
days

Student notifies the Dean of Students, in writing, of their request for a review of the outcome of the Stage 1
Academic Misconduct Hearing, clearly stating the grounds for the appeal, within 20 working days of receipt
of the Stage 1 outcome letter.

Dean of Students reviews the request

30
working
days

Response sent to
Student (may include
Completion of
Procedures Letter)

Case is referred to a
Stage 2 Hearing

Stage 2 Hearing is held

Stage 2 Appeal
resolved to
students
satisfaction

3
months

Stage 2 Appeal not resolved to

students satisfaction

Response sent to Student

(may include Completion of

Procedures Letter )

Within 7
working days
of the hearing

Stage 2 Appeal resolved

to students satisfaction

*Student refers the case to the Office of the

Independent Adjudicator (OIA)

The
OIA
will
require a copy of
the Completion of

Procedures Letter
Further information
about applying for
review by the OIA is
available on their
website:
www.oiahe.org.uk

A Completion of Procedures Letter is issued when all stages of the University procedures have been exhausted
* Referral to the OIA must be made within 3 months of the date of the Completion of Procedures Letter