What Happens if You’re Accused of Academic Misconduct - Exeter
If the university thinks there’s a problem with your work, it can feel stressful. The SU is here to help you understand the process and make sure you get the support you need.
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Getting Notified
- The University will email you if they suspect academic misconduct.
- Always check your student emails and reply promptly — ignoring messages won’t make the issue go away.
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Investigation or Meeting
The University will review your work to understand what happened. This may include:
- Turnitin or other detection tools to check for similarity.
- Comparisons to other work online or in previous submissions.
- Writing style checks to see if the work matches your usual approach.
- Meetings with staff, such as your module leader or an Academic Conduct Officer (ACO).
🗣 What’s a Viva?
A viva is a formal meeting where you’re asked to explain your work and how you produced it.
It’s your chance to show the work is your own and clear up any confusion.
You can bring notes or drafts, and it’s a good idea to prepare with support from the SU.
👥 Supporter
You can bring someone with you, such as an SU Advisor or another supporter.
They can take notes and offer reassurance — but you’ll need to answer questions yourself.
👩🎓 Group Work
If the work was part of a group project, each person may be interviewed individually before a decision is made.
✍️ Written Defence
You have the right to submit a written response.
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Confidentiality
Only university staff directly involved in your case will see the details.
Everything is handled confidentially and sensitively.
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Possible Outcomes
The outcome depends on the evidence and how serious the case is.
The University uses a tariff system (see 12.19 Tariff of Penalties in Exeter’s policy) to decide on penalties.
Possible outcomes include:
💡 Graduation impact – unresolved cases may prevent attending graduation or receiving your degree until the investigation is complete.
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Mitigating Circumstances
If something personal affected your ability to complete your work (for example, illness or crisis), you are expected to apply for mitigation at the time — such as requesting an extension or other support.
Mitigation is separate from academic misconduct but, if you’ve already been accused, the University may still consider your situation when deciding a penalty.
It won’t change whether misconduct happened, but it might reduce the severity of the outcome.
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Appealing a Decision
- If you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal in writing.
Appeals are considered if:
- There was a mistake in how the process was handled, or
- There were mitigating circumstances that weren’t considered earlier.
What the SU Can Support You With
The SU provides
free, independent, confidential support throughout the process. We can help with:
Tips for Students During the Process
- Respond promptly to emails and meetings
- Be honest and factual about your work
- Keep records of drafts, emails, and any communications
- Contact the SU for free, confidential advice at any stage
💡 Remember: being accused does not automatically mean you did anything wrong. The process is fair and gives you a chance to explain your side. Always check the full university guidance:
After You’ve Completed the Process
- If you feel the process was not handled correctly, or your appeal was unfairly rejected, you may be able to contact the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).
- The OIA is an independent service for students in England and Wales that reviews complaints about higher education providers.
- Contact details and guidance can be found here on the OIA website
SU Support
- The SU is here for free, independent, impartial, and confidential advice.
- Contact us if you are unsure about your case or need guidance: advice@thesu.org.uk. Or book an appointment here.