Cheating and plagiarism
What is cheating?
It is considered cheating if you use prohibited aids during an examination. Plagiarising material or essay writing is also considered cheating.
Plagiarism is when you copy other people's texts without stating the source or reproduce texts verbatim or almost verbatim without using quotation marks. Examples of cheating are using unauthorised aids in an exam, such as unauthorised notes. Other examples of cheating are collaboration between students in individual compulsory assignments and change or supplementation of text in a corrected, returned writing.
Uppsala University uses the Swedish system Ouriginal to detect plagiarism as well as prevent it.
As a student, it is your responsibility to take part in information about what is allowed and not allowed during, for example, exams and when you write an essay.
According to the text of the law, it is sufficient that a student has tried to cheat for disciplinary action to be taken. Cheating is not required to be completed. For example, it is enough to bring notes with you to the exam to use them as an aid, regardless of whether you then actually use the notes or not.
Is it cheating to use AI?
Sometimes it is difficult to know where to draw the line between permissible and transgressive use of generative AI. It can be considered cheating if you make something that an AI tool has written for you appear as if it was written by yourself. Always check with your teacher about what applies to every particular situation or course!
Video: What is plagiarism and how to avoid it
What happens on suspicion of cheating?
An initial conference
On suspicion of cheating, the procedure starts with an initial conference where you are informed of the suspicions and have the opportunity to give your view on the matter. The examiner and the head of the department are to decide jointly the further treatment of the matter.
A report is submitted
If the matter is not depreciated, a formal report is submitted to the Vice-Chancellor. You then have the opportunity to comment the notification. You can get support and advice of the Student and PhD Student Ombudsperson or your student union. The Disciplinary Board’s assigned officer is to investigate the matter on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor decides on the basis of the investigation to dismiss the matter without further action, issue a warning to the student, or refer the matter to the Disciplinary Board.
If the case proceeds
If the case proceeds to the Disciplinary Board, you will be summoned to attend a hearing together with a representative of the department and any other individual involved. The Disciplinary Board consists of the Vice-Chancellor, a legally qualified member, a teacher representative and two representatives appointed by the student unions.
The decision of the board may be:
- to dismiss the matter without further action,
- to issue a warning, or
- to suspend you from studies for a certain period.
In case of a decision of suspension
A decision of suspension generally applies immediately. The decision is registered in Ladok and the relevant departments and the National Board of Student Aid (CSN) are informed. You have the right to appeal the decision on warning or suspension to the Administrative Court (Förvaltningsrätten). You also have the opportunity to apply for a stay in anticipation of a decision from the Administrative Court.
The department is not permitted to take any disciplinary measures of its own against you, neither during the period of investigation nor after the Disciplinary Board has made its decision.
Cheating leads normally to deferment of any decision about examination until the disciplinary matter has been decided. There is no automatic connection between the decision of the Disciplinary Board and passing/failing the examination in question. Even if the Disciplinary Board decides not to issue a sanction, you may be failed if the examiner deems that the examination or essay does not measure up the course goals.
Support and advice
If you are accused of cheating, the student and PhD student ombudspersons or your student union can offer assistance and support in the process.