Academic Integrity and Misconduct Guide- Falmouth

Academic Integrity is fundamental to university. The SU Advice Team can help you understand what this means for you and your work.
Student talking to member of SU staff.
The information set out in this Guide is general guidance for Falmouth University students true at the time of publishing in October 2025. It should not be seen as a definitive statement of the University's Academic Misconduct policy and procedure. A copy of the University's Academic Misconduct policy and procedure is available here.
 

🎓 Academic Integrity at Falmouth University

Academic integrity is all about being honest and responsible in your studies. It means your work is your own, you give credit when you use other people’s ideas, and you follow the university rules.

Why It Matters

Following academic integrity helps you:

  • Keep your degree fair and respected
  • Build your own skills and understanding
  • Avoid penalties for mistakes or misconduct

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Plagiarism – copying someone else’s words or ideas without credit
  • Collusion – working with others when you should work alone
  • Fabrication – making up results, data, or references
  • Self-plagiarism – reusing your own work without permission
  • AI misuse – using AI tools in ways your course does not allow -  see our AI guidance page here or the university rules.

How to Stay Safe

  • Check your assignment brief – know what is allowed
  • Reference all sources correctly
  • Keep your work original and in your own words
  • Use AI tools responsibly – see our AI guidance page or the university rules
  • Ask for help if you’re unsure – the SU provides free, confidential advice

Quick Tips

  • Always plan your work and start early
  • Keep records of your drafts and sources
  • If you use AI tools, record prompts, outputs, and links if required
  • Ask your tutor or the SU for guidance if anything is unclear

Links to More Detailed Guidance:

💡 Always read the university’s full Academic Integrity and Misconduct guidance: Official guidance

💡 Remember: keeping your work honest isn’t just about avoiding penalties – it’s about learning, developing your skills, and protecting the value of your degree.

Falmouth University categorizes academic misconduct into two types: minor offenses and major offenses.

Minor offenses
These can include things like poor citation or referencing, collaborating too much with another student, or behaving inappropriately during an exam.

Major offenses
These are more serious and can include allegations made when you're in your final undergraduate year or above, collusion (working together on an assignment that should be your own), contract cheating (getting someone else to do your work), or if you've already received a warning before.

If you've been accused of academic misconduct, you'll receive:
An email explaining what the accusation is and a report of your work.

You'll also get a "Response Form" to fill in and return, along with any evidence you have, by a specified date.

The email should also include the latest Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Misconduct Procedure, both of which can be found on the Student Regulations Page here, under the heading ‘Academic Integrity’.

If you admit the offense
The Academic Misconduct Panel will review your case and the evidence provided, including your written statement. They will then decide on a penalty.

If you deny the offense
The panel will arrange a meeting to discuss your case with you. They will review the evidence, your written statement, and any supporting evidence before deciding on a penalty.

Please see our SU Guide on writing an effective academic misconduct response statement here

Review of your other work

Your other work may be reviewed too if the university believes it's necessary. They will let you know if this is going to happenWhat is a Viva?

Before your case goes through the formal stages of the Academic Misconduct Procedure, you might be asked to attend a viva with your course team. A viva is a way for them to assess your knowledge and understanding of the work you submitted. They will ask you questions about your work to determine if you're the author of the work and if it should be referred to the formal academic misconduct procedure.Penalties

The severity of the offense determines the severity of the penalty. Admitting the allegation can speed up the process and may result in a lesser penalty.

Universities take academic misconduct seriously because academic integrity is crucial in higher education and ensures the value of degrees. Penalties for proven academic misconduct range from a formal warning letter to reassessment for a capped mark and in very serious cases, it can even lead to expulsion from the university.

The Academic Misconduct Panel decides the penalties based on factors like your history, the extent of the offense, your level of study, the value of the assignment, evidence of intent to deceive, and your response to the allegation.Graduation and Academic isconduct

If you have any outstanding allegations of academic misconduct, you won't be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies. You can only participate once the investigation is concluded and any required actions are carried out.Transferring courses

If you have an ongoing investigation or disciplinary action related to academic misconduct, you won't be allowed to transfer to or apply for another course at the university until the procedure is concluded.Appealing an Outcome

If you're not satisfied with the outcome of the misconduct investigation, you have the right to appeal.

You can do this by following the university's Appeals Procedure within 20 working days of receiving the formal outcome letter.

There are two grounds for appeal:
1.Extenuating circumstances that affected you but weren't disclosed during the investigation, or
2.Procedural irregularities/errors in the investigation process.

 

See here for our guidance on the Appeals Process.Falmouth University Resources

For more information on the Academic Misconduct Process, you can visit the Falmouth University Student Dashboard here

The Academic Skills Teamcan provide you with free advice on academic skills and correct referencing techniques. Visit the Academic Skills Website to learn more or

Additionally, FX Plus offers Wellbeing Support and resources on their website here.Reached the end of the process and still not happy with the result?

Once you have exhausted the Universities appeals process, you should be issued with what’s called a ‘Completion of Procedures’ letter. The University will no longer be able to consider your case.

But if you are unhappy with the result, you may wish to take your complaint to the OIA:

Falmouth University subscribes to an independent scheme for the review of student complaints provided by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).

You will need to raise any complaint with the OIA within 12 months of receipt of your Completion of Procedures letter. The OIA will normally only consider cases that have been through the University’s own procedures first.

To find out if you are eligible and how to make a complaint to the OIA, visit their website here.

Guide to writing an Academic Misconduct Allegation Response/Statement.

Guide to writing an effective appeal

 
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