Together with SUSU, the University’s Academic Integrity Network would like to remind you about the importance of Academic Integrity in all your assessments this semester, particularly online. This means conducting all aspects of your academic life – including assessments – in a professional manner.
We know that most breaches are unintentional and avoidable, so here are some useful tips to help you stay on the right side of the rules.
Unauthorised online help
External companies will often approach students online, offering essay writing or other academic skills services. They will pass themselves off as providing proof-reading, note-taking, or ‘homework help’ services, so do be aware and careful – use of these services is a serious Academic Integrity breach.
Do not be tempted to take up such services, never post assessment material online or seek unauthorised help. There’s plenty of legitimate support that you can access through the University.
The University has recently introduced Turnitin Authorship, which can help identify when a student submits work that they haven’t written. There’s been an increasing number of these incidents recently, and the University has applied significant penalties.
Collaboration and collusion
There’s a difference between collaborative work and ‘collusion’, so make sure you understand what ‘collusion’ means. Collaboration is essential for group work (and a key skill), but we expect you to work on your own for individual assignments. Please see the Academic Integrity Checklist on this page for more on what this means.
Be a good friend
If a friend tells you they are struggling and that a family friend, course mate or company has offered ‘help’ with academic work or asks you to help, steer them towards the right help and support instead.
Academic support and advice on Academic Integrity
The Library Academic Skills Hub includes many useful links including advice on time management, an Assignment Planner, guidance on referencing, and in the University’s Academic Integrity Guidance.
The SUSU Advice Centre offers advice on many topics including a range of practical academic issues.
Your personal academic tutor (PAT) can talk through your circumstances, though their availability may be limited at this time of year.
You can apply for an extension using an Extension Request form if you have a good reason not to meet your deadline. Special Considerations are available if exceptional circumstances, outside of your control, impact your academic performance.
For any other support or queries, don’t forget The Student Hub is open 24/7. You can contact them via email, online chat, in-person or by calling 02380 599 599.
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