Academic integrity is the ethical policy or moral code of academic study. It describes a shared commitment to six fundamental values in earning, teaching, and research in UK higher education and beyond. These values provide a practical and positive framework of expectations shared between students and staff. It is essential that staff and students all understand and adhere to these values.

Action on Academic Integrity at the University of Bath

In 2022 the University of Bath signed-up to the QAA Charter on Academic Integrity. This 'represents an institutional pledge to implement its principles and commitments which include working with staff and students and, in collaboration across the sector, to protect and promote academic integrity, and take action against academic misconduct' (QAA).

The University has established an Academic Integrity Working Group which meets regularly to discuss emerging issues and support the development of policy and practice across the institution. For more information you can contact the Co-Chairs, Alan Hayes and Briony Frost.

The six fundamental values of Academic Integrity

Image showing six boxes pointing towards a central box labelled Academic Integrity. The six boxes contain each contain one of the values of Academic Integrity.

The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, The International Centre for Academic Integrity, 1999

Honesty means we, as staff, expect students to be truthful about which ideas are their own and which belong to, or are derived from, other authors. We also expect the methods and results of their experiments and research to be genuine and interpreted truthfully. Learners should show awareness of potential biases and declare any conflicts of interest. Students should also be able to expect the same honesty from academic staff. Mutual honesty supports a community of trust.

Training and support for students

The University provides resources to support students throughout their degrees and include training on referencing and avoiding plagiarism, critical thinking, and reading and note-making. Staff can also make use of the video library to support students with their assessments. Find out more about Skills For Study and Cite Them Right.

Guidance is also provided for students on academic misconduct in exams.

All students are required to undertake and pass an Academic Integrity Initiative Test. This is intended to provide every student with a common minimum baseline of skills and knowledge of good educational and academic practice at an early stage, and thus assist them in preparing assignments while avoiding inadvertent assessment offences, particularly plagiarism. For full details see the University's Academic Integrity Training and Test webpage.

The Library provides a guidance on referencing, including citing images, using Harvard Bath and other referencing systems, and using referencing software, as well as videos and short guides on how to avoid plagiarism. Visit the Library webpages for more information.

The Skills Centre runs a Skills Hub which provides opportunities for students to develop  study skills an increase confidence in taking notes, thinking critically, writing academically, presenting professionally, using mathematical tools and techniques, and enhancing digital skills. Visit the Skills Centre webpages for more information.

Training and support for staff

Full description of University's procedures on Examination and Assessment Offences (QA53) and Regulation 15, Assessment of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes are available to consult.

The QAA has provided a collection of Inclusive and Accessible Academic Integrity Teaching Resources that staff can use with students, or with other staff as training materials.

Further areas of guidance are provided below. These are not exhaustive, and not all will necessarily apply to your own context. Please contact the Curriculum Development team if you'd like to discuss how to apply these ideas more specifically in your situation.

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curriculumdev@bath.ac.uk

Updated on: 10 August 2022