Academic misconduct Penalty - Should I appeal

Hi,

I’ve received an academic misconduct penalty which means I have to redo my second year with all modules capped at 40 and at my own cost. The university is aware of the circumstances that the misconduct happened - falling under immense peer pressure whilst having mental health issues which is why I hadn’t been expelled. The only reason they gave me such a harsh penalty is because I had a prior offence of academic misconduct in year 1 if it wasn’t for that I would have had to just redo the assessment. I don’t know if it’s worth appealing this because usually for second offences they expel the student - that’s why they have to give me a harsh penalty as it’s expected of level 2 students to know the implications. however I do think it’s a bit unreasonable because the individual who pressured me went a long way to pressurise me again and again despite me warning them of consequences and not wanting to go ahead with it myself. Should I appeal this or just withdraw..I have lost all hope.

Reply 1

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi,
I’ve received an academic misconduct penalty which means I have to redo my second year with all modules capped at 40 and at my own cost. The university is aware of the circumstances that the misconduct happened - falling under immense peer pressure whilst having mental health issues which is why I hadn’t been expelled. The only reason they gave me such a harsh penalty is because I had a prior offence of academic misconduct in year 1 if it wasn’t for that I would have had to just redo the assessment. I don’t know if it’s worth appealing this because usually for second offences they expel the student - that’s why they have to give me a harsh penalty as it’s expected of level 2 students to know the implications. however I do think it’s a bit unreasonable because the individual who pressured me went a long way to pressurise me again and again despite me warning them of consequences and not wanting to go ahead with it myself. Should I appeal this or just withdraw..I have lost all hope.

Hi,

Though it’s a tough situation to be in, it’s important to take a step back and assess your options carefully. From what you’ve described, it sounds like the university has taken your circumstances into account, which is why expulsion wasn’t the outcome. However, if you believe that the penalty doesn’t fairly reflect the unique pressure you were under, or if you have additional evidence of the peer pressure you faced, appealing might be worth considering. Universities often have procedures for submitting appeals based on mitigating circumstances, and support services like academic advisors, student unions, or mental health counsellors can guide you through this process. It’s also worth exploring how you can rebuild academically and personally, whether that’s by accepting the penalty and focusing on improving or by appealing if you genuinely feel an injustice has occurred. Whatever you decide, know that there are people and resources available to support you—don’t hesitate to reach out to them - talking to your module leader could be the first step.

Best wishes,
Sabba | Coventry University Student Ambassador | Law LLB

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

Original post

by sound-famous-

Do you lose anything from making an appeal? Isn't it just worth a shot and seeing what happens?

Well I’m just aware that deadlines for 2025 uni applications are 29th of January so I may not get a response back in time to withdraw from the university and send a UCAS application. Or would I still be able to send a UCAS application if I plan on withdrawing a few days after I send it?

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post

by Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Hi,
Though it’s a tough situation to be in, it’s important to take a step back and assess your options carefully. From what you’ve described, it sounds like the university has taken your circumstances into account, which is why expulsion wasn’t the outcome. However, if you believe that the penalty doesn’t fairly reflect the unique pressure you were under, or if you have additional evidence of the peer pressure you faced, appealing might be worth considering. Universities often have procedures for submitting appeals based on mitigating circumstances, and support services like academic advisors, student unions, or mental health counsellors can guide you through this process. It’s also worth exploring how you can rebuild academically and personally, whether that’s by accepting the penalty and focusing on improving or by appealing if you genuinely feel an injustice has occurred. Whatever you decide, know that there are people and resources available to support you—don’t hesitate to reach out to them - talking to your module leader could be the first step.
Best wishes,
Sabba | Coventry University Student Ambassador | Law LLB

Hello, would text messages discussing what happened be evidence? I have text messages with the other individual where they are admitting to pressuring me multiple times

Reply 4

StriderHort

Not seeing anything to appeal tbh? what if they reassess it and just decide to expel you this time?

If they've already taken peer pressure into consideration why do you think they're now being unreasonable or going to change anything? At the end of the it's your responsibility and you've knowingly committed misconduct twice... frankly I think you should be damn grateful you're being given any chance whatsoever.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 5

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello, would text messages discussing what happened be evidence? I have text messages with the other individual where they are admitting to pressuring me multiple times

Hi,

I would say it is dependant on what your university deems so however, I would say it could potentially count.

Hope this helps,
Sabba | Coventry University Student Ambassador | Law LLB

Reply 6

martin7

Original post

by Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Whatever you decide, know that there are people and resources available to support you—don’t hesitate to reach out to them - talking to your module leader could be the first step.

OP needs to be aware that academic staff may well not be on their side when it comes to academic misconduct.

OP should be talking to their Student Union regarding any appeal against the decision on academic misconduct -- the SU should be familiar with the regulations -- and talking to their GP (if they haven't already) regarding their mental health issues. The university's student support service should also be able to help on the health/wellbeing issues.

Reply 7

martin7

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi,
I’ve received an academic misconduct penalty which means I have to redo my second year with all modules capped at 40 and at my own cost.

If your tuition fees are funded via student loans, then (assuming you haven't already used your "gift year") I can't see why the repeated year couldn't be funded via the student loan system. As far as I'm aware it's not for the university to make decisions as to how your tuition is paid for. (You should check this with the appropriate student loans organisation to check this, though.)

The university is aware of the circumstances that the misconduct happened - falling under immense peer pressure whilst having mental health issues which is why I hadn’t been expelled. The only reason they gave me such a harsh penalty is because I had a prior offence of academic misconduct in year 1 if it wasn’t for that I would have had to just redo the assessment. I don’t know if it’s worth appealing this because usually for second offences they expel the student - that’s why they have to give me a harsh penalty as it’s expected of level 2 students to know the implications. however I do think it’s a bit unreasonable because the individual who pressured me went a long way to pressurise me again and again despite me warning them of consequences and not wanting to go ahead with it myself. Should I appeal this or just withdraw..I have lost all hope.

The decision whether to appeal or not is up to you, but I suggest that you get advice from your student union as part of your decision-making process. And this isn't a binary choice -- you also have the option to take the penalty and re-do your second year.

Original post

by Anonymous

You can submit a UCAS application whether or not you choose to withdraw. You can apply to UCAS while still a student at your existing university and you only need to withdraw if you get offered a place elsewhere and choose to take it up.

But be aware that you'll be expected to provide a reference from your current university. The fact that you were found guilty of academic misconduct in your first year isn't going to look good on your reference. Even if your second year conviction isn't mentioned because you're appealing it -- though it might be mentioned anyway -- that first year conviction may be a problem.

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello, would text messages discussing what happened be evidence? I have text messages with the other individual where they are admitting to pressuring me multiple times

It would be evidence -- whether it's admissible or not might depend on whether or not that evidence was available to you when your case was first heard. If it post-dates your hearing then you could appeal with the new evidence; if it pre-date the hearing you'd be expected to explain why it wasn't submitted first time round. Whether or not it would help would depend on whether the issue of being pressured was introduced and accepted at the first hearing. Again, this is something where the SU might be able to advise.

As @StriderHort mentions, you do need to check (and the SU should be able help here too) what range of penalties would be available to an appeal board. The regulations may provide that an appeal board can impose a harsher penalty than what was imposed first time around. This might result in you being expelled rather than having the initial penalty upheld or a lighter penalty substituted.