This page describes our malpractice / maladministration policy: Vetpol treats all cases of suspected malpractice very seriously and will investigate all suspected and reported incidents of possible malpractice.  

Where a case of suspected or reported malpractice / maladministration is being investigated, Vetpol, where appropriate, will advise the relevant Awarding Organisation for the qualification. It is accepted that in certain circumstances, the Awarding Organisation may take actions of its own, including imposing sanctions, where appropriate.  

Scope  

The purpose of this Policy is to set out how allegations of malpractice / maladministration in relation to all qualifications are dealt with. The scope of the policy is to provide:    

  • examples of student and centre malpractice and maladministration;  
  • possible sanctions that may be imposed in cases of malpractice.  

Malpractice by students  

Some examples of student malpractice are described below. These examples are not exhaustive and all incidents of suspected malpractice, whether or not described below, will be fully investigated, where there are enough grounds to do so.  

  • Obtaining examination or assessment material without authorisation e.g. prior to the exam date.  
  • Arranging for an individual other than the student to sit an exam. 
  • Impersonating another student to sit an exam.  
  • Collaborating with another student or individual, by any means, to complete an exam.  
  • Failure to comply with published examination regulations.  
  • Disruptive behaviour or unacceptable conduct, including the use of offensive language, at an exam.  
  • Producing, using or allowing the use of forged or falsified documentation, including but not limited to:  
  • personal identification; 
  • supporting evidence provided for reasonable adjustment or special consideration applications.  
  • False results documentation, including certificates.  
  • Falsely obtaining, by any means, an awarding body certificate. 
  • Misrepresentation or plagiarism.  
  • Fraudulent claims for special consideration while studying.  
  • Possession of any materials not permitted in the assessment room, regardless of whether or not they are relevant to the assessment, or whether or not the student refers to them during the assessment process, for example notes, blank paper, electronic devices including mobile phones, personal organisers, books, dictionaries / calculators (when prohibited). 
  •  Some materials may be permitted during an exam and information on which are permitted will be available on the website and notified to the examinee by email at the time of booking the exam.   
  • Failure to comply with instructions given by the assessment invigilator, i.e., working beyond the allocated time; not adhering to warnings relating to conduct during the assessment.  

Malpractice by centre employees and stakeholders  

Examples of malpractice by Vetpol employees, including external invigilators and examination administrators are listed below. These examples are not exhaustive and all incidents of suspected malpractice, whether or not described below, will be fully investigated, where there are enough grounds to do so.  

  • Failure to adhere to the relevant regulations and procedures, including those relating to examination centre approval, security undertaking and monitoring requirements as set out by the awarding organisation.  
  • Knowingly allowing an individual to impersonate a student.  
  • Divulging any information relating to student performance and/or results to anyone other than the student.  
  • Producing, using or allowing the use of forged or falsified documentation, including but not limited to:  
  • personal identification;  
    supporting evidence provided for reasonable adjustment or special consideration applications;
  • and  awarding organisation results documentation, including certificates  
  • Falsely obtaining by any means an awarding organisation certificate.  

 Failing to report a suspected case of student malpractice, including plagiarism, to the awarding organisation.  

  • Moving the time or date of a fixed examination.  
  • Failure to keep examination question papers, examination scripts or other assessment materials secure, before during or after an examination.  
  • Allowing a student to possess and/or use material or electronic devices that are not permitted in the examination room.  
  • Allowing students to communicate by any means during an examination in breach of regulations.  
  • Allowing a student to work beyond the allotted examination time.  
  • Leaving students unsupervised during an examination.  
  • Assisting or prompting candidates with the production of answers.  

Possible malpractice / maladministration sanctions  

Following an investigation, if a case of malpractice is upheld, Vetpol may impose sanctions or other penalties on the individual(s) concerned. Where relevant we will report the matter to the relevant awarding organisation, and the relevant awarding organisation may impose one or more sanctions upon the individual(s) concerned. Any sanctions imposed will reflect the seriousness of the malpractice that has occurred.  

Listed below are examples of sanctions that may be applied to a student, or to a teacher, tutor, invigilator or other officer who has had a case of malpractice upheld against them. Please note that:  

This list is not exhaustive and other sanctions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.  

Where the malpractice affects examination performance, the awarding organisation may impose sanctions of its own.  

Possible study centre sanctions that may be applied to students:  

  • A written warning about future conduct.  
  • Notification to an employer, regulator or the police.  
  • Removal from the course.  

Possible sanctions that may be applied to teachers, tutors, invigilators, and other officers:  

  • A written warning about future conduct.  
  • Imposition of special conditions for the future involvement of the individual(s) in the conduct, teaching, supervision or administration of students and/or examinations.  
  • Informing any other organisation known to employ the individual in relation to courses or examinations of the outcome of the case.  
  • Vetpol may carry out unannounced monitoring of the working practices of the individual(s) concerned.  
  • Review.  
  • Dismissal or termination of contract.