Academic misconduct is when a student acts in a way that seeks to give themselves, or another student an academic advantage in an assessment.  

Examples of academic misconduct: 

• Obtaining or seeking to obtain questions in advance of a formal timed assessment  
• Falsification of materials associated with work/practice placement such as timesheets and workplace supervisor assessments  
• Plagiarism  
• Collusion  

Within section 30 of the University’s Academic Regulations, academic misconducts are classified as ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ or ‘High’ level with each level indicating an increasing level of seriousness and associated penalties. Penalties can include programme termination, a mark of zero with a resit capped at pass mark or further penalties decided at the discretion of the panel. 

If you have been suspected of academic misconduct, we advise you to: 

Reach out to SMSU by emailing smsu@stmarys.ac.uk  

Read all the information that you have been provided with and take note of relevant timelines for decisions 

An academic appeal is when a student chooses to appeal the decisions of the University Examinations Board or Research Degrees Committee (e.g. programme termination).  

There are two grounds on which you can appeal the decision as laid out in the University’s Academic Appeals Procedure. They are: 

There is evidence that your assessment or exam was affected by mitigating cricumstances which haven’t been previously noted.  

There is evidence of a significant administrative error on the part of the University or in the conduct of the assessment/exam and this has accounted for your performance.  

If you plan to appeal, we advise you to reach out to SMSU by emailing us at smsu@stmarys.ac.uk 

When you submit your appeal your responsibilities are: 

• to submit your Academic Appeal in as much details and as soon as possible in order that it can be investigated and resolved without delay; 
• to follow the correct procedures as set out in the Academic Appeals Procedure; 
• demonstrate mutual respect; 
• to clearly indicate the remedy you seek; 
• to provide clear information and documentary evidence as appropriate within your Appeal submission; 
• to provide additional information and/or attend meetings about your Academic Appeal if required. 

A complaint is where a student has a concern about potential wrongdoing within the University by other students, university employees, officers, casual workers, or agency workers and raises this with the University through the Student Complaints Procedure. 

If you plan to submit a complaint, SMSU are able to help support you through the process, you can get in touch by emailing smsu@stmarys.ac.uk  

The University uses the Student Disciplinary Procedure to address unacceptable behaviour or conduct of a current student.  

Examples of breaches of discipline: 

• Damage to University property
• Behaviour that may be offensive or cause a nuisance to local residents, students, families and visitors 
• Misleading the University 
• Discriminatory acts by conduct, spoken or written language 
• Acts of sexual harrassment or sexual violence 
• Acts of homophobic/sexist/misogynist behaviour 
• Possession, dealing or use of illegal drugs on University premises 

Sanctions following procedures may include programme termination, accommodation termination, exclusion of the student from a specified area of campus for a specified period, community services, payment of damages.  

If you have been notified of a disciplinary procedure, we advise you to get in touch with smsu@stmarys.ac.uk  

A leave of absence is when a student interrupts their studies due to illness or other personal or extenuating circumstances. Leave of Absence is granted by the Head of Registry in consultation with the course lead for a period of up to one year, and then may be extended for a further year upon written application to the Head of Registry Services.  

Withdrawal is when a student wishes to permanently leave the University before the normal completion of the programme. In order to withdraw, notice in writing must be given to the Head of Registry Services.  

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) is an independent body that reviews individual complaints by students against Universities. The University is therefore expected to comply with the recommendations of the OIA. Students are able to submit reviews of complaints to the OIA once the procedure is complete.