The University treats exam misconduct seriously. To avoid being accused of misconduct it is important to ensure you know and understand the University’s exam regulations.
This Policy applies to invigilated examinations that are completed in examination venues under timed restrictions, and in class tests which are run by Schools under invigilated exam conditions.
Exam Misconduct Includes:
-
Taking unauthorised material into an exam (e.g. notes, unapproved calculator, annotated text book)
-
Possession of devices such as a mobile phone or smart watch which is on your person and not switched off
-
Copying off another student
-
Communicating with another student during the exam
-
Disturbing the exam (e.g. speaking loudly to an invigilator)
I have been accused of Exam Misconduct, what should I do?
If you have been accused of Exam Misconduct, you will be informed of this through an email from the Student Conduct Compliance and Complaint Team.
We can support you with this process and can be contacted via guildadvice@liv.ac.uk
The University has two stages for managing alleged academic misconduct.
Once you receive the allegation you can admit to it or deny it, if you admit to the allegation you can present any mitigation for the team to consider.
If you accept the allegation the matter will be considered under Chairs Action and the team will make a recommendation to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education.
The outcome of the Chairs action will be sent to you via email within 5 working days.
Chairs Action- potential outcomes
-
A written warning, not to repeat the offence
-
A mark of zero for the examination with a right to re-sit with a capped mark
There is no right of appeal against sanctions given within Chair’s Action, although if you want the matter to be considered further you can request that it is reviewed by the Board of Discipline, through a Full Hearing. This request must be sent to the Student Conduct, Complaints and Compliance Team within 10 working days of receipt of your outcome letter.
Board of Discipline- Investigation
If you deny the allegation, or disagree with the Chairs Action outcome an investigation will take place. An impartial investigator will be appointed, who will get in contact with you via email.
Prior to your investigation meeting you will be sent the evidence base that the university holds about the allegation e.g. a report from an invigilator. You will also be asked to provide a statement at this time, but you are not obligated to submit one.
The investigation is an opportunity for you to explain your version of events in relation to the allegation and present any relevant evidence. You will be asked questions by the investigator and they will then make a report based on the information they have obtained throughout the investigation.
You can be supported at your investigation meeting by a friend which could be an adviser from the Guild.
The potential recommendations made by the investigator:
• There is no case to answer and no further action should be taken. A note of the investigation should be kept on the student’s record until they graduate
• There is evidence to suggest a breach of the Academic Misconduct Policy and this is referred to Chairs Action stage.
• There is enough evidence to be referred to the Board of Discipline- Full Hearing
The investigation report, evidence and recommendation will be reviewed by the Student Conduct, Compliance and Complaints Team. Once they receive the investigators report the team will write to you within 5 working days with their decision and what will happen next.
Board of Discipline- Full Hearing
If a Full Hearing is arranged you will be invited to attend with a minimum of 10 working day’s notice, we would suggest you attend to put forward your case and answer any questions the panel members may have.
We can help you prepare a statement which you may wish to read to the panel.
If the admit to the allegation Procedure A- will follow and you will be able to submit a plea in mitigation.
If you deny the allegation Procedure B- will follow and you can make a statement regarding the allegation and can call witnesses.
The outcome of the Hearing will normally be given on the day and confirmed in writing.
The potential outcomes of the Full Hearing:
-
Any of the sanctions listed under Chair’s Action
-
A formal reprimand
-
A mark of zero for the examination in which the misconduct occurred with no right to re-sit
-
A mark of zero for the examination concerned with a right to re-sit with a capped mark
-
A delay to graduation
Board of Discipline- Full Hearing Appeal
If you disagree with the Hearings decision you can appeal this.
To appeal the Hearings Decision, you must email the Director of Student Experience and Enhancement, with a copy sent to appeals@liverpool.ac.uk, within ten working days of receipt of the outcome letter
The written appeal, must include the following:
-The student’s name and ID number
-The date of the hearing of the Board of Discipline
-The date on which the student received the outcome letter
- A clear statement of the grounds on which the student is making the appeal and supporting evidence
You can appeal on the following grounds if appealing the finding of the Hearing:
-
That new information exists which, for good reason, was not available at the time of the Board of Discipline Hearing and which could have had a material bearing on the finding itself
-
That there were material irregularities in the conduct of the Board of Discipline
investigation and/or hearing.
You can appeal on the following grounds if appealing the penalty given by the Hearing:
-
That new information exists which, for good reason, was not available at the time of the meeting of the Board of Discipline and which could have ordinarily been considered, in mitigation, by the Board of Discipline, when it determined the penalty imposed.
-
There is compelling evidence that the penalty imposed was disproportionate to the
offence
For support with your appeal you can contact us via guildadvice@liverpool.ac.uk