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Consequences of cheating in exams

Have you been reported for exam irregularities (cheating in the exam)? On this page, you can read about the disciplinary process and about the possible consequences if the case is not dropped.

Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the rules before you take an exam, so you know what is permitted and what is not permitted.  

Read about how to avoid cheating in exams here. 

If you have been reported for suspected exam irregularities (cheating in an exam), you can read about the case process and potential consequences if the case is not withdrawn.  

How SDU processes your case

A case of cheating in an exam at SDU is handled by Education Law. You can contact them if you have questions about an ongoing case or general questions.

  • If suspicion of exam cheating arises in connection with the assessment of an exam paper and/or during an exam, the case is sent to the Head of Studies responsible for the programme, that offers the course. 

    The Head of Studies reviews the case, and if he/she agrees with the suspicion, the case is reported to Educational Law via the faculty administration.  
    After the case is reviewed, the case materials will be sent to your student email, where you will be asked for your comments on the case (this is what is called a hearing). 

    The hearing can be conducted in writing or orally. An oral hearing is most common, and it takes place either as a physical meeting at SDU or online. At the hearing (physically at SDU or online), you have the right to bring a companion. From the University’s side the Head of Studies and 1–2 employees from

    Educational Law will participate. 

    After the hearing, Educational Law will process the case. 

    Educational Law will then propose a decision to the Dean of the faculty, who will make the final decision. 

    Finally, the decision will be sent to your student email. The decision will include a guide on how to file an appeal.

     


  • Cases of exam cheating are confidential, and the employees of the university are bound to confidentiality. 

    A decision in connection with exam cheating will not appear on the final diploma that you receive from SDU. 

    You can file an appeal against legal matters, if you do not agree with the decision. Legal matters include whether the case has been handled in accordance with applicable law and general principles of administrative law. The appeal must be sent to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science within a deadline, stated in the appeal guidelines, which is included in your decision.

    You are not allowed to participate in a potential re-examination in the exam activity included in the case, until a decision has been made. If the course has several exam activities, you are allowed to participate in activities that are not included in the case of exam cheating. You are also allowed to take exams and attend classes in your other courses while the case is being processed.  

    At an oral hearing, you have the right to be accompanied, that is, to bring a companion. 

     

  • You have the right to be accompanied, that is, to bring a companion with you, when you participate in a hearing (i.e., when you can comment on the case). 

    A companion is a person of your choice who will accompany you at the hearing. For example, you can bring a friend, a family member, a representative from a relevant interest group or association. Your choice of companion can be based on your personal relationship or, on the basis of his/her specific professional knowledge. 

    The companion’s task is first and foremost to support you during the hearing. 

    The companion must be present during the conversation. Perhaps the companion can help you remember what you want to say. After the hearing, your companion can help you remember what was said, and what happens next in the case.

     

     

Consequences of cheating in exams

If it is assessed, after the consultation of the parties, that you have not complied with the rules for an exam, you will be sanctioned. Below, you can read about possible sanctions, how SDU handles exam cheating in exams, the regulatory basis, etc. 

  • If SDU finds that you cheated in an exam, you will receive a sanction that can range from a warning to a temporary or permanent expulsion from SDU.

    If cheating in an exam is detected before you have received your exam assessment, the assessment will be put on hold until SDU has made a decision. If the case is withdrawn, you will subsequently receive the assessment of your exam. If the case is not dropped, you will receive a sanction and you will have used an exam attempt. 

    If cheating is detected after you have received your exam assessment, your grade will be cancelled, you will receive a sanction and you will have used an exam attempt. If the case is withdrawn, you will keep your original exam assessment. 

  • The consequences of cheating in an exam will generally be tougher if you are caught cheating in exams several times. 

    However, if there are aggravating circumstances or if it is a final exam (e.g. bachelor project, master's thesis etc.), the consequences can be severe, even if it is the first time you are caught cheating. 

    SDU’s legal text on practices and sanctions in cases of proven cheating in exams

    First-time offences are sanctioned with a warning, as well as a rejection of the completed exam. 

    Second-time offences are sanctioned with a temporary expulsion from the University as well as a rejection of the completed exam. 

    Third-time offences are sanctioned with an indefinite expulsion from the University as well as a rejection of the completed exam. 

    However, the circumstances of the case may cause first-time offences to be sanctioned with a temporary or indefinite expulsion from the University, and a second-time offence to be sanctioned with indefinite expulsion from the University. 

    Proven cheating in exams in connection with written exams under invigilation during which the student has either entered into an unauthorised collaboration with other students, or during which the student has helped or received help from others, may result in first-time offences being sanctioned with temporary or indefinite expulsion from the University. In continuation of this, second-time offences committed during the aforementioned types of exams may be sanctioned with indefinite expulsion from the University. This also applies to written exams on campus that are converted to an online format in which the only difference in the exam type is the physical location. 

    This is due to the fact that SDU considers it an aggravating circumstance if you either choose to collaborate with others, or to help/receive help during an exam that aims to test the student in what they can accomplish in a limited period of time.  

    Proven cheating in exams in the form of unauthorised use of artificial intelligence (AI) may result in first-time offences being sanctioned with temporary or indefinite expulsion from the University. In continuation of this, second-time offences may be sanctioned with indefinite expulsion from the University. 

    Proven cheating in exams in the form of extensive plagiarism or self-plagiarism may result in first-time offences being sanctioned with temporary or indefinite expulsion from the University. In continuation of this, second-time offences may be sanctioned with indefinite expulsion from the University.    

    Proven exam cheating in connection with a final exam (bachelor project, final project, master's thesis, etc.) may result in first-time offences being sanctioned with temporary or indefinite expulsion from the University. In continuation of this, second-time offences committed during the aforementioned types of exams may be sanctioned with indefinite expulsion from the University. 

  • Cheating in an exam is sanctioned according to the disciplinary rules. 

    Read the disciplinary rules here.


Contact Educational Law

Send an e-mail to uddannelsesjura@sam.sdu.dk
or
Phone 6550 4470 (weekdays from 9-15)

Last Updated 04.09.2024