Academic Misconduct

As a student at Edinburgh Napier University, you are expected to approach your work with Academic Integrity. This means that you should produce written work with diligence and honesty, and acknowledge when ideas have drawn upon the work of others.   

Academic Misconduct is a breach of University Regulations. It may lead to disciplinary action and interfere with your academic progress. Penalties can range from a reduction of mark in your assessment to being withdrawn from the University.  

Academic Misconduct includes:  

• Inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence: The inappropriate use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) content or writing assistance tools, such as websites (like ChatGPT, Gemini or CoPilot), or a paraphrasing tool (like Grammarly or Quillbot) to gain an undue advantage in an assessment. 

• Plagiarism: “Unacknowledged incorporation in a student’s work, either in an examination or assessment, of material derived from the work (published or unpublished) of another.” This includes poor referencing.  

• Self-plagiarism: “The use or re-use of a student’s own work (material), the work having previously been submitted for marking.”  

• Collusion: “Complicity with another student in the completion of work which is intended to be submitted as either that student’s or the other student’s own work” or “knowingly permits another student to copy all or part of his/her own work and to submit it as that student’s own work.” 

• Falsification or fabrication of data: “The presentation of data in reports, projects and records, such as records of attendance or of competencies achieved, which is based on evidence which is fictitious, falsely presented as having been carried out by the student, or has been obtained by unfair means”. 

• Cheating: Using unauthorised materials in an exam or the act of copying from another student in an exam.  

• Bribery: “The paying, offering or attempted exchange of an inducement for information or material intended to advantage the recipient in an assessment.”  

• Personation: “The assumption of one student of the identity of another person with the intent to deceive or gain unfair advantage.”  

What Happens if You are Suspected of Academic Misconduct

If academic misconduct is suspected, the allegation will be investigated by an Academic Integrity Officer (AIO). 
 
You will be made aware that there is an ongoing academic integrity investigation by the AIO and typically be asked to provide a written statement to give your view on the matter. 

Once the Academic Integrity Officer receives this they will either make a decision on your case or invite you to attend a meeting. An ENSA Student Adviser can attend this meeting with you. During the process it's useful to provide as much evidence as you can that you produced the work yourself. This can include; old drafts of the piece of work, notes or any other relevant materials.   

Our advisers can support you throughout the process, provide you with guidance on writing your statement and accompany you to any meetings. 

If you receive an email from the Academic Integrity Officer, please email us on ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk or book an appointment online to get help). 

Additional Information

You are encouraged to access the University's Academic Skills support services if you wish to improve your academic skills. 

Further information about academic integrity and plagiarism can be found on My Napier.