Contract cheating is one of the most serious forms of academic misconduct. It involves getting someone else to complete part or all of an assessment task or exam for you.
Contract cheating includes a range of different behaviours. Some examples include:
- Using online “assignment help” services;
- Paying a commercial provider to write an assignment;
- Asking a current or former student to assist you with an assignment;
- Asking someone else to sit an exam for you;
- Submitting work from an assignment sharing website;
- Allowing a family member or friend to do an assignment for you.
Even if no money is exchanged, it may still be considered contract cheating and represent a breach of the UOW Academic Integrity Policy.
Risks for students
Students should be cautious of companies advertising contract cheating and assignment help. These services are not only against the law but engaging with them also puts a student’s academic future at risk.
Contract cheating services often target vulnerable students. There can be serious consequences, including blackmail and other scams.
Once these companies have a student’s details, they have been known to demand more money from the student (blackmail) to keep secret the fact the student has outsourced the work.
Strategies to help avoid contract cheating services
- Be wary of websites that claim to be in support of student learning but are actually providing students with an unfair advantage.
- When searching for academic support, use the search function within the UOW website. Do not use a search engine, such as Google.
- Do not use any website that asks for payment in order to access ‘study support’.
- Do not use any website which offers essay or assignment writing services.
- Illegal cheating services sometimes hold fake contests in an effort to attract student work to sell to others. Take some time to confirm that essay competitions are legitimate.
- Never share your work online.
- Never share your Moodle or University login details with anyone.
- Report any suspect website link directly to the UOW Office of Academic Integrity.
Please watch Lucy's story for further information about the consequences of contract cheating.
Academic penalties for contract cheating
DON’T RISK YOUR DEGREE!
Students found to have engaged in contract cheating may face severe penalties, including:
- A fail grade for an assessment task;
- A fail grade for a subject or multiple subjects;
- Suspension from their studies;
- Expulsion from the University.
Some students have even had their UOW degree rescinded because contract cheating was substantiated after graduation.
Support at UOW
UOW recognises that there are a range of stress factors in the lives of students and that these may lead to poor time management and poor decision-making.
UOW advises all students to consider the options below if they are struggling to study because of personal issues or illness:
- Talk to the relevant lecturer, tutor, or subject coordinator;
- Apply for academic consideration;
- Complete the compulsory StartSmart Module which is designed to help students succeed in assessments and exams;
- Seek assistance from Academic skills and the Library. They provide workshops and personalised support on a range of topics that can help you with your studies.
