Cheating
What is cheating?
Here at the University of Reading we take cheating very seriously as it is
considered a type of 'academic fraud' and an attempt to deceive the examiners
into giving you higher marks than you may have otherwise achieved.
Cheating involves attempting to gain an advantage by actual, intended, or
attempted deception and/or dishonest action in relation to any academic work
of the University.
Examples of what is regarded as cheating in an exam:
Taking unauthorised material into an exam (only those items authorised for use in the
examination are to be on the desk)
Talking or communicating with another student during an exam
Use of phone in exam with intention to look up information
Using hidden ear pieces or miniature cameras
Wearing a smart watch
Writing information on a part of your body or clothing
Removing from an examination or test any script, paper, or other official stationery
(whether completed or not) unless specifically authorised by an Invigilator or
Examiner
Copying or attempting to copy the work of another student
Impersonating or attempting to impersonate another student, or knowingly being
impersonated
Examples of what is regarded as cheating in assessed coursework
(e.g. dissertations, online exams, long essays or projects):
Gaining access to any unauthorised material relating to an assessment
Copying the work of another student, with or without their knowledge or agreement
Submitting work done in collaboration with another person as your own
Buying essays from the internet
Reproduction of work assessed elsewhere
Falsifying data, evidence, or experimental results
What happens if I am caught cheating?
We take cheating and other academic misconduct very seriously, whether in
written examinations, online exams, in-class tests, or coursework.
Any such case will be treated as a disciplinary matter and will be referred to
the School Director of Teaching and Learning (for students on taught
programmes) or the School Director of Postgraduate Research (for students
on research programmes), who may impose a penalty or refer the matter to
the Senate Standing Committee on Academic Misconduct (SCAM). SCAM
then has the power to impose more severe penalties including expulsion from
the University.
