Qualifications from WinSYS City Campus must mean what they say. This policy explains what academic integrity requires, what counts as malpractice, and what happens when it is suspected.
1. What we expect
Work submitted for assessment must be the learner's own, produced for that assessment, with all sources acknowledged. Where group work is permitted, each learner's individual contribution must be identifiable.
2. What counts as malpractice
- Plagiarism — presenting someone else's words, code, designs or ideas as your own, including from websites, books, past learners or generative AI tools, without acknowledgement.
- Collusion — working with others on an assessment intended to be individual, or allowing another learner to copy your work.
- Contract cheating — having work produced by another person or service, paid or unpaid.
- Fabrication — inventing data, results, references, screenshots or laboratory evidence.
- Falsification of records — altering certificates, transcripts, attendance records, identity documents or assessment feedback.
- Examination misconduct — unauthorised materials or devices, impersonation, or communication during an assessment where this is prohibited.
3. Referencing
Learners are taught how to reference before work is assessed. Poor referencing by an inexperienced learner is treated as a learning matter in the first instance; deliberate concealment of a source is not.
4. How suspected malpractice is handled
- The concern is recorded and the learner is informed in writing of what is alleged and on what evidence.
- The learner is given a fair opportunity to respond, in writing or in a meeting, and may be accompanied.
- A decision is taken by a member of staff not involved in raising the concern.
- The outcome and any sanction are confirmed in writing, with the right of appeal under our appeals procedure.
5. Possible outcomes
Depending on severity and whether it is repeated, outcomes range from further guidance and a required resubmission, through loss of marks for the affected criteria, to withdrawal from the programme. Where a qualification has already been claimed, the awarding organisation is informed and certification may be withheld or revoked.
6. Awarding organisation requirements
Suspected malpractice affecting an external award is reported to the awarding organisation in line with its published requirements, and its determination takes precedence.