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.

More information

You can find further information details about exam conduct and cheating here, or see the Academic Integrity Toolkit.