Academic malpractice policy

Introduction 

RBGE expects that all staff and students conform to the highest standards of conduct ensuring that the assessment process and the integrity of the qualifications awarded to students is maintained at all times.  

In the event that malpractice is suspected, RBGE is required to take appropriate action in accordance with internal policies and procedures together with external awarding body requirements where applicable.  

The term “malpractice” includes both misconduct and maladministration and covers any actions (i.e. deliberate, negligent, by default or other practice) that compromise assessment, integrity or validity of a qualification, or the reputation and credibility of the RBGE or external awarding bodies. Malpractice may be as a result of actions by any of the following: 

• RBGE Staff  
• Tutors  
• Students 
• External moderators and invigilators  
• Any other contracted staff 

Here are some examples of malpractice:  

• Insecure storage or handling of assessment and marking materials 
• Insecure storage or processing of student records and results for internal verification and auditing purposes 
• Misuse of assessments, such as repeated re-assessment or inappropriate adjustments to assessments 
• Failure to comply with recommendations for reasonable adjustments  
• Failure to meet qualification requirements and those of external awarding where applicable 
• Copying another student during an assessment  
• Plagiarising others’ work and submitting it as their own  
• Failing to abide by the instructions of a tutor or invigilator in an assessment 

Any suspected cases of malpractice must be reported to the head of Education who will conduct and investigation and refer to the RBGE staff conduct and disciplinary policies. In situations where the investigation would involve an external awarding body, the policies and procedures of that body will be adhered to by RBGE staff. For example, SQA, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow and RHS.