The rise of readily available Generative AI (GenAI) tools, like ChatGPT, and essay mills presents a major challenge to academic integrity, leading universities to treat their unauthorised use as one of the most serious breaches: False Authorship or Contract Cheating. This isn't just about poor referencing; it’s about whether the submitted work is a true expression of your own knowledge and academic effort.

If proven, these offences pose a threat to the value of your degree and carry severe disciplinary consequences, potentially resulting in permanent exclusion.

The Detection Trap

Many students assume detection relies entirely on similarity software, such as Turnitin. While software is used, detection goes far beyond simple text matching  These tools primarily flag text reuse but cannot definitively prove intent or ownership, especially when facing sophisticated outsourcing services or advanced AI.

Instead, universities leverage internal expertise and procedures focused on confirming whether you actually wrote the assessment.

The Investigatory Viva: Your Authorship on Trial

The most critical investigative mechanism used by institutions is the Investigatory Viva (oral examination). If your marker suspects False Authorship, often flagged by inconsistencies in writing style, language anomalies, or inappropriate references, they may require you to attend a viva.

The purpose of this mandatory meeting is direct: to assess whether, on the balance of probabilities, the work was truly authored by you [Source 1774]. During this viva, you may be asked to:

1. Explain the core arguments and concepts within the work.

2. Demonstrate that you undertook the necessary reading and research yourself.

3. Provide drafts or preparatory work to show the logical development of the assessment.

Crucially, attending the viva is your main opportunity to demonstrate your capability and prove your work is genuine [Source 1774]. If you receive an invitation to attend an investigatory viva and fail to attend without a valid reason, you forfeit the opportunity to defend yourself, and the investigation will proceed based solely on the evidence already collected.

Navigating this high-stakes process successfully requires a strategic roadmap. If you want to know how to respond to an allegation, assemble your evidence, and prepare for rigorous questioning, understanding the inner workings of academic justice is essential.

Dealing with academic misconduct is not a negotiation; it's a matter of evidence. Knowing the rules of the investigation is your best defence, turning a terrifying situation into a predictable, manageable challenge.