Northumbria supports national pledge to protect academic standards

27th April 2021

Northumbria University is backing a new national scheme to protect the integrity of university level qualifications.

The University has signed up to the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s (QAA) Academic Integrity Charter, which safeguards the standards of university level qualifications.

The Charter has been signed by 118 higher education providers across the UK and was developed with the support of the UK Academic Integrity Advisory Group.

Academic misconduct is a growing problem globally and presents a threat to the UK higher education sector’s world-class reputation.

It takes a wide variety of forms including the use of essay and degree mills, plagiarism, collusion between students, forged or altered qualification certificates through to fake institutions and questionable accreditation bodies. Students who commit academic misconduct, especially if they deliberately cheat, risk their academic and future careers.

Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria University, welcomed the Academic Integrity Charter for UK Higher Education.

“Academic misconduct is a growing problem and presents a threat to the world-class reputation of UK higher education,” he said.

“This is a significant sector pledge to protect academic integrity and committing to the charter is a marker of the importance that Northumbria University attaches to academic excellence and integrity”.

The Charter sets out seven principles that signatories commit to implementing within their institutions and has been welcomed by UK Government Ministers.

Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan, said: “Degree fraud cheats both learners and employers and has no place at all in our higher education system.

“This Government is committed to tackling academic misconduct, and upholding the hard work of students, especially during this difficult time.”

A list of signatories and the seven principles can be found within the QAA’s Academic Integrity Charter in full.