Student Shares Experience of Plagiarism Accusation and Support

Insight into the challenges faced by a Leeds University student

A Leeds University student has spoken openly about their experience of being accused of plagiarism, highlighting the emotional impact and the support they received from Leeds University Union (LUU) Advice services.

Initial reaction to the accusation

The student received an email in January during their second year notifying them of an accusation related to one of their previous semester’s assessments. The message did not specify the nature of the plagiarism, which led to confusion and distress. The student described feeling devastated and overwhelmed, experiencing a significant emotional reaction including tears and anxiety.

Attempts to seek clarification from academic staff, including their personal tutor and plagiarism coordinator, were met with limited information due to the early stage of the investigation. This lack of clarity contributed to the student’s uncertainty and stress.

Support from Leeds University Union Advice

Following the initial shock, the student contacted LUU’s Advice service on the same day. The staff provided reassurance and explained that plagiarism cases are relatively common and often involve genuine mistakes or misunderstandings about referencing. The service offered to represent and support the student throughout the process, which the student found reassuring.

The student noted that without the guidance from LUU Advice, they would have felt lost during the investigation. The staff helped clarify the stages of the process and encouraged the student not to feel embarrassed about the situation.

Reflections and lessons learned

The experience prompted the student to reflect on their academic confidence, particularly their understanding of referencing and academic voice. They acknowledged that the challenge ultimately strengthened their academic writing skills.

They also emphasised the importance of awareness about the support services available, suggesting that more could be done to inform students about LUU Advice, especially during induction and lectures related to academic integrity and wellbeing.

Suggestions for improving student support

• Increase student awareness of existing support services and how to access them.
• Improve communication between academic schools and LUU to provide consistent guidance during academic investigations.
• Continue prioritising mental health support during academic challenges to provide both practical and emotional assistance.

LUU is currently conducting a Strategy Survey to gather student feedback on how to enhance support services. Students are encouraged to participate to help shape future provisions.

For more information on LUU Advice services and the Strategy Survey, visit the Leeds University Union website.