Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Plagiarism is a growing threat to the integrity of Britain's higher education system, the head of the body set up to hear students' complaints warns today.
The number of cases seen by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, the official body handling students' complaints about their universities, has soared by 20 per cent in the past year to 1,605.
Complaints from students accused of plagiarism have more than doubled in the past four years. Officials say it is not surprising the problem is on the increase, as essays are now readily accessible on the internet.
In his annual report, Independent Adjudicator Rob Behrens, warns that plagiarism is a "growing" problem which "continues to be a challenge to the integrity of university education". One of the main worries, he adds, is that students are often in the dark about what help they can get with their assignments because universities do not clearly lay down the rules. He says ambiguities should be removed so that students will understand the rules and that universities can protect their reputation.
The vast majority of complaints were over the awarding of grades and marking of assignments, accounting for 70 per cent of the total. Although only 6 per cent were about appeals against accusations of plagiarism, the numbers have doubled.
Officials expect complaints to soar again next year after tuition fees increases kick in, with students expecting more from their degree courses.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments