On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Committee of Enquiry process for academic misconduct. It explains what to expect before, during and after the hearing, including information about attendance, evidence, support, possible outcomes and the review process.
You are advised to consult the full regulations available via the Academic Misconduct Procedure.
This means that you have been suspected of committing academic misconduct and a report has been forwarded to an Academic Integrity Officer who has determined that, based on the evidence submitted, a prima facie case (i.e. on first impression there is a potential case of academic misconduct against you.)
The University’s definition of academic misconduct can be found here (see point 1).
All evidence will be sent to you with the allegation letter and will also be circulated to the Panel and presented at the Committee of Enquiry. Any additional evidence may be presented to the Committee with the permission of the Chair; again, both you and the Panel will receive copies of this evidence.
Most Faculties ask students to submit electronic copies of their work through Turnitin (via Canvas). This software identifies and matches text to sources held within its database.
The Turnitin report may show, for example, that you used work submitted by a student at another university (which you would not have access to). This is because the Turnitin software matches unreferenced text in your work to the first source held on the Turnitin database and may not always identify the source correctly. The important point is that the system believes the text to be taken from a source which has not been acknowledged, rather than identifying the actual source used. So if your Turnitin report matches your work to that of a student at another university, this may be because you both used the same source. The important issue is whether the source you have used has been acknowledged/referenced. If you have copies of the original sources you used, you should bring these with you to the hearing.
Yes, please send any evidence to support your case as soon as possible to Education Services (AcademicIntegrity@swansea.ac.uk). Any additional evidence may be presented to the Committee on the day of the hearing with the permission of the Chair. If your evidence is in a language other than English, you must also obtain a translation of the document(s). If your evidence concerns medical or personal circumstances, you should also ensure these are accompanied by official documentation e.g. a medical certificate.
While most academic misconduct offences are dealt with at a Faculty level, cases involving PGR students and cases received after an award have been made are heard centrally at a Committee of Enquiry. Committees are made up of three members of a Standing Panel selected from academic staff
University Committees of Enquiry usually hear the following cases:
If you are unsure why you have been referred to a University Committee, please contact Education Services for further information at AcademicIntegrity@swansea.ac.uk
No, you do not have to attend the hearing. However, due to the seriousness of the allegation you are strongly advised to attend. The majority of students choose to attend hearings and take the opportunity to present their case. If you do not wish to attend, you may elect to have someone else to represent you at the meeting, and it is up to you to arrange this. For example, you may arrange for a member of the Student’s Union Advice Centre to represent you at the hearing. Alternatively, you may wish to submit your case in writing.
You will normally be expected to attend the meeting on the date given. However, in exceptional circumstances allowance may be made for one postponement. Please contact Education Services (AcademicIntegrity@swansea.ac.uk) as soon as possible if you would like to discuss a postponement.
Yes, if you have informed us that you do not wish to attend the meeting, it will go ahead in your absence. If we do not hear from you and have made every reasonable effort to contact you, the meeting will go ahead in your absence.
Yes, the regulations allow you to be represented or accompanied at the meeting. For example, you may wish to bring a friend for moral support, a member of staff or someone from the Students’ Union Advice Service (go to Submit a ticket : Help Desk to request support). Please inform Education Services of the name of the person accompanying you as soon as possible.
Students may request to be accompanied by someone acting in a legal capacity. In such cases, the student should make representations to the Director of Education Services. The Director of Education Services has the absolute discretion to accept or reject an application, and their decision will be final.
No, the University does not provide translators. The hearing will be conducted in English (or Welsh if requested) Students wishing to have the hearing in Welsh must inform AcademicIntegrity@swansea.ac.uk of their request upon receiving notification of the hearing date in order for translation services to be arranged by the University's Welsh Language office. For all other students experiencing language difficulties you may arrange for someone to attend to translate for you.
Yes, free, confidential and impartial advice and support for academic misconduct is available from the Students' Union Advice and Support Centre, where you can raise a ticket selecting category "Advice & Support" from the drop down menu. For advice on the regulations or the Committee proceedings you should contact the member of Education Services staff mentioned in your letter.
There will be three Panel members forming the Committee of Enquiry, a member of Education Services staff who will take minutes of the meeting and advise on the regulations. Witnesses may also be called to present evidence.
Witnesses may be members of staff from your School/Faculty or subject area. You will be given an opportunity to question any witnesses who attend and they will withdraw after questioning.
The School/Faculty Academic Integrity Officer or Chair of the Committee may request that witnesses attend the hearing. You are also permitted to call any witnesses to support your case. You must arrange for your own witnesses and inform AcademicIntegrity@swansea.ac.uk of their names as soon as possible.
Members of your Faculty/School may be called as witnesses or may accompany you.
The Chair shall:
Yes, although the Committee is a formal hearing the Chair will make every effort to make you feel at ease. If you have any questions during the hearing, either relating to the proceedings or to the case itself, you should not be afraid to ask them. You may also question witnesses.
Yes, once the case against you has been presented you will be invited to give an explanation.
Yes, you should inform the Committee of any mitigating circumstances or personal circumstances which may be related to the offence or to yourself. Supporting documentation should also be provided e.g. a medical certificate. Where you could have reported such circumstances to the Committee, prior to their decision being made, those circumstances cannot subsequently be cited as grounds for a final review.
The Committee will decide whether or not they believe a case of academic misconduct has been found. They will either agree that the case is substantiated (academic misconduct has been proven) or unsubstantiated (no case has been proven). In some instances, they may wish to defer a decision pending additional evidence.
The Chair of the Committee will inform you at the start of the meeting whether the Committee will tell you the result the same day by admitting you back into the meeting once a decision has been made or whether you will be informed in writing within the next few days. All students will be sent a letter by Education Services informing them officially of the outcome.
If the Committee believes that there is no case against you, no record of the academic misconduct will exist on your record.
If the Committee believe that academic misconduct has been committed, they will decide on a penalty. You are encouraged to refer to the penalty tables in the regulations for a full list of penalties. The penalty will be recorded on your central record. The result of the hearing will be conveyed to your Faculty/School who will confirm your decision/award decision at the next available Examination Board.
In some cases this may affect your ability to practice in a particular profession e.g. if you are a law student. Your Head of Faculty/School will decide whether to inform the Professional Body.
When the Committee of Enquiry has investigated the facts of the alleged academic misconduct, the Secretary shall in their report state whether or not the allegation has been substantiated and shall state any penalty to be imposed. The report shall be submitted to the Senate as soon as possible after the Enquiry has been completed.
You will be informed of this outcome and provided with details of the Final review Procedure.
Senate shall make a determination in the case including any decision to revoke a qualification if warranted.
The Senate outcome will be conveyed to you by letter. If you award is revoked, you will need to return your award certificate
In some cases, this may affect your ability to practice in a particular profession e.g. if you are a law student. You must inform the Professional Body where relevant.
Yes, you may request a review of the decision under the University’s Final Review regulations. Final review applications may only be considered on the following grounds:
Further information regarding Final Review is available at: Final Review Procedure - Swansea University
