The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Plagiarism and cheating


Plagiarism is the use of the wording of another person without stating the source. When another person’s text is quoted, the text is to be surrounded with quotation marks. If a text or part of a text is summarised in a take-home exam, paper or in another written assignment it is to be clearly referenced. If you are unsure about how to provide references, you can ask your lecturer how to do this. You can also turn to the library or the Academic Support Centre for help.

One's own work from another context, such as a report from another course or scientific publication, is to be treated as a source. In such cases of "self-plagiarism", the same regulations as for other plagiarism are applicable, even though it is often more difficult to determine where to draw the line for self-plagiarism.

Cheating is prohibited and can lead to sanctions for the student (disciplinary measures). A clear example of cheating is the use of prohibited aids in an exam, such as notes on slips of paper or unauthorised notes in books. An attempt to cheat is sufficient for a penalty to be given. It is sufficient to take notes into an exam hall with the intention of using them, regardless of whether or not the student actually uses the notes, for it to be considered cheating.

The student's responsibility

It is also considered cheating to help someone else cheat. Allowing someone else to copy your answers could lead to disciplinary proceedings against you. As a student, you are responsible for making sure you understand the information provided by the department about what is and is not allowed in exams, papers, etc. Please note that there are different rules at different departments and that the same department could even have different rules for different course components. It is your responsibility as a student to understand what applies in a particular situation.

If a student is suspected of having cheated, disrupted or obstructed in an exam or other educational activity it will be reported to the vice-chancellor. The suspicions must be based on objective grounds, but the threshold is low. Suspicions on the basis of only very little factual evidence may suffice for a report being made. Subjective intuition is not sufficient, however.

Reporting of suspected cheating

All university employees can submit a report to the vice-chancellor, but it is usually a head of department or examiner or similar who makes the report.

Students should be informed that they are suspected of a disciplinary offence. The department is encouraged by the University to take notes on what the student says in this conversation.

The Legal Division within the University administration investigates reports on behalf of the vice-chancellor. The department concerned does not carry out the investigation.

Students found guilty of cheating or another disciplinary offence are either issued with a warning or suspended from the University for a set period of time, usually six weeks, and a maximum of six months. This also includes suspension from examinations and other activities within the context of education.