Developing good academic practice
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# 1.2 Demonstrating your academic abilities

So why is it important to always demonstrate a true reflection of your academic abilities to your tutor and others?

One argument is that this allows your university to grade your work and level of academic development in an appropriate and fair manner. There will be a range of students within any course or programme whose academic abilities vary significantly from the ‘average’ and the degree classification system must be able to measure and recognise each student’s abilities. Thus, in fairness to all students, it is essential that the work you present for grading really is a true reflection of your abilities and does not consist of work produced by other people.

How would you feel about other students who seemed to be doing better than you and were getting better grades, but who cheated by copying their answers from elsewhere or by submitting work that they hadn’t produced?

There is a very strong argument that says that by ensuring your assignments are a true reflection of your understanding, you can get an accurate idea of how well you are progressing with your studies. The grades you achieve can also help you to assess your strengths and weaknesses, and allow you to focus your attention on areas that need more development to ensure progress.

More importantly, by submitting work that you have produced fairly and in accordance with good academic practices, your tutor can give you accurate feedback and help with your specific learning needs and abilities; this form of individual and personalised support is the best form of teaching anyone could want!

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