Plagiarism and academic integrity
Plagiarism is becoming more and more of an issue due to the widespread use of the Internet. Although it may at times seem to be the easy option, the penalties that you will receive if caught are severe and may result in your failing your course. Following a change to the University regulations, with effect from 1st October 2009, the University can now refer to issues of Academic Integrity (such as Plagiarism) in both academic and employment references given for students. This may well have an adverse effect on your career prospects.
We will not attempt here to define or analyse in depth what constitutes plagiarism, save to say that if you include in your work any material which is not your own original work or ideas, you must clearly cite the source of such material in the manner required by your department. There are numerous different systems of citation, so check which one you are supposed to use and make sure that you understand it. If you need further advice, please read the Academic Integrity guidance, contact your tutor or seminar leader, your departmental or faculty office, or the Student Learning Advisory Service and refer to Annex 10: Academic Discipline
As well as ensuring that you do not try to pass off another person's work as your own, neither must you reuse work which you have previously submitted at this university or anywhere else, without acknowledging the fact.
If you feel that you have incorrectly been accused of plagiarism you may have grounds to appeal. Please contact us for more information by coming in to the Student Advice Centre in person or:
emailing us: advice@kent.ac.uk
Tel: 01227 824824