Unfair means, cheating and plagiarism

Information about unfair means, cheating and plagiarism in University assessments and exams, and how to access additional guidance to prevent unfair means from occurring.

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What is unfair means?

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In short, unfair means refers to cheating. It involves any attempt by a student to

  • gain unfair advantage over another student in the completion of an assessment or exam, or
  • assist someone else in gaining an unfair advantage

Consequences

The consequence of unfair means can be serious. You may face action by your academic department or formal disciplinary action. You can find the Regulations relating to the Discipline of Students in the University Calendar. 

There is lots of guidance and support available to help you to understand what different forms of unfair means are, and how you can prevent them from occurring.  If you are unsure, speak to your tutors or a member of staff in your department. 

How we detect it

We use a range of strategies to detect unfair means, including Turnitin, which helps detect plagiarism. 

You should only use University-approved software. If you use a non-University plagiarism checker it might collect, share, publish or sell your work without your knowledge or consent. Your work may then be used by other students to plagiarise, which may result in disciplinary action and sanctions in line with the Student Discipline Regulations.

You're required to declare that all work submitted is entirely your own. Your department may require you to attach a declaration form to work that you submit.

Unfair means and online assessment

Some of your assessments may take place online, but the rules around unfair means do not change. Make sure that you understand what is expected of you, and ask your tutors if you are unsure.

You can access further guidance on preparing for and undertaking different forms of online assessment within Study Skills Online.

Artificial Intelligence and unfair means 

Using Generative Artificial Intelligence isn't in itself unfair means, it depends upon how it has been used and in the context of the assessment. Where a student has used a tool or service to generate work that is not their own, but intentionally pass it off as theirs, that will be considered as using unfair means: it is effectively commissioning work.  As current generative AI can be prone to hallucinations and may also present information without proper referencing, there is a risk of unintentional fabrication or plagiarism.

If you would like to access further guidance on the use of AI within your studies you can access the following resources:

Types of unfair means and how you can prevent them

Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when you submit someone else's work or ideas - eg the work of an expert, lecturer or fellow/former student - without making it clear that it is not your own work. Plagiarism can be committed knowingly or accidentally.

You can also self-plagiarise, if you submit your own previously assessed work as part of a new assignment without proper acknowledgement.

You can prevent plagiarism by applying some of the following good practice:

See the Library's tutorial on 'Understanding Plagiarism' to find out more. 

Essay or code buying

This is when you buy or commission part of, or the whole of a piece of work from another student, or an essay-writing or coding website, and submit it as your own. 

You may be encouraged to use, or be approached by these services claiming to help or support your studies at the University. Using these websites and submitting it as your own work is an extremely serious form of unfair means. This can result in disciplinary action and sanctions, including expulsion from the University, in line with the Student Discipline Regulations.

It is illegal to provide and advertise these services to students, and students who use these services are at risk of blackmail, including threats to report them to the University.

You can prevent any issues arising from these sites in a number of ways:

  • Be aware of social media posts offering support with essay or code writing. These organisations frequently use social media to target students.
  • Always consider if what a company or individual is offering you is in line with the University's unfair means policy. Speak to staff in your department (for example, your personal tutor) for advice if you are unsure.

Any email received in relation to these services should be reported to phishing@sheffield.ac.uk

If you are concerned about completing your assignments and/or meeting deadlines, do not use essay or code buying sites - speak to your department and access additional support from services such as:

  • The Library - The University Library provides a wide range of resources to help you improve your skills in research and critical thinking.
  • 301 Academic Skills Centre - The 301 Academic Skills Centre provides workshops, one-to-one appointments and online resources for study skills, maths and statistics, student research and peer-learning activities
  • English Language Teaching Centre - The ELTC offers a wide variety of services and resources to improve your academic literacy (language and skills) needed for success at university.
Coursework sites

These sites encourage students to share course materials such as lecture notes, essays, lab reports and exam questions. The University does not support the use of these sites and may take disciplinary action in line with the Student Discipline Regulations.

You can access additional guidance and support in relation to coursework sites. This includes a number of ways in which you can avoid unfair means issues arising from these sites, including:

  • Recognise the differences between appropriate opportunities to learn with and from your peers and uploading teaching content and course material via file sharing digital network sites.
  • Be aware of social media posts offering these services. These organisations frequently use social media to target students.
  • Always consider if what a company or individual is offering you is in line with the University's unfair means policy. Speak to staff in your department (for example, your personal tutor) for advice if you are concerned.
  • Identify other, appropriate ways to work with other students - for example, forming a study group to help you to understand a particular topic.
  • Do not upload or share your notes or work beyond any platforms endorsed by your department

Any email received in relation to these services should be reported to phishing@sheffield.ac.uk

For more information on peer-to-peer learning, visit the 301 peer learning pages. This includes a guide on how to set up your own study group.

Collusion

Collusion can occur when you work with someone else, or a group of others, on a piece of assessed work that you are supposed to be completing by yourself. 

Collusion can occur with or without your knowledge: you may offer your assignment to a friend who is finding the assignment challenging, but if they then use your work, you may also be found to have used collusion. Discussing course content with friends can be a useful way to improve your understanding and support your learning - however, there is a line between working collaboratively and collusion.

You can prevent collusion by following these principles:

  • Collaborative learning is something to be encouraged, however, it may not always be appropriate to work collaboratively on assignments. 
  • Follow the instructions provided for each assessment. If you are unsure, ask your tutor.
  • Don't share your answers for any assessment with others, even after the deadline, as some students may have extensions due to extenuating circumstances that you are unaware of.
  • Keep social media and other communication apps turned off during any online exams, and keep your mobile devices where they cannot distract you.
  • If anyone suggests sharing answers or messaging each other during an online assessment, do not do so. 
  • If you have formed a study group and created shared notes, do not copy and paste these into any part of your answer. Use your own words to articulate your thoughts and ideas.

For more information on the differences between collaboration and collusion, visit the 301 Study Skiils Online pages.

Fabrication

Fabrication is when you submit made-up information (such as quotes, lab results or survey findings that are untrue).

If you have any concerns about an assignment, do not make up any information. Contact the module leader and/or personal tutor to discuss your concerns as soon as possible - the sooner you make contact, the more likely it is you will be able to access the relevant guidance and support. 

You can also make use of the support offered by:

  • The Library - The University Library provides a wide range of resources to help you improve your skills in research and critical thinking.
  • 301 Academic Skills Centre - The 301 Academic Skills Centre provides workshops, one-to-one appointments and online resources for study skills, maths and statistics, student research and peer-learning activities
  • English Language Teaching Centre - The ELTC offers a wide variety of services and resources to improve your academic literacy (language and skills) needed for success at university.

What happens when unfair means are detected

If the University suspects unfair means, they will investigate and take action where appropriate. 

Guidance for students where concerns are raised about their use of unfair means

How to appeal

If you feel that an unfair means decision was made incorrectly against you, refer to our complaints and appeals procedures.

Managing failure

If you have been found to have used unfair means, and have failed an assessment as a result of it, our 'Managing failure' web page has helpful resources and support.

Related information

Information on copyright

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