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Navigating university rules on academic fairness can feel like moving through a maze. Here, we break down those regulations into straightforward, practical advice aimed at protecting the value and integrity of your qualification. The academic system operates on fundamental values such as honesty, trust, and responsibility.

If you face an allegation, the standard of proof used is the ‘balance of probabilities’—meaning the decision-makers only need to find that misconduct is more likely than not to have happened. Furthermore, this system often applies the principle of strict liability, especially in exam halls. This means that proving you didn't intend to cheat may be irrelevant to the initial finding of guilt, as the focus is on the prohibited action itself, such as possessing an unauthorised device.

These articles examine key breaches, including collusion (working together when the task is individual), false authorship (such as commissioning work or unauthorised use of AI tools), and the severity of falsification (lying about data or circumstances). Start here to learn the essential procedural steps—from receiving the first formal allegation letter to successfully navigating your rights—so you can approach this process with clarity and confidence.