Assignment Regulations
Academic Misconduct
The most common forms of academic misconduct are: cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating involves obtaining an unfair advantage over other students in any way. By plagiarism is meant the copying and use of the work of another person without proper acknowledgment. Further details are given in the UFT Guidelines for Essays.
There are strict penalties for both cheating and plagiarism:
- suspension of candidature for the degree, or
- failure of the unit for which the written work or examination was undertaken, or
- the loss of all marks for the written work or examination.
Submission of Essays and Assignments
Guidelines on the presentation of essays and assignments are available in the UFT office and on the website. Students will also find a useful Style Manual compiled by Lawrence D McIntosh, available in the library. All assignments must be submitted with a cover sheet declaring that the assignment is the original work of the student. These cover sheets are obtainable from the UFT Office and on the website. All postgraduate (Level 4) work must be submitted in duplicate.
UFT assignments MUST NOT be lodged by Fax or Email.
Normally assignments should be handed in to the UFT office, but individual lecturers may use their discretion regarding means of collection of assignments. Assignments handed in at the office will be date stamped and a receipt will be given.
Return of Assignments
The time for return of assignments will be indicated by teachers when students are advised of assignment topics and their due date of submission. Normally, major essays will be graded
and returned within three weeks, and shorter pieces within two weeks. Where an extension is granted, the lecturer is not bound by this time frame.
Students are required to keep duplicate copies of their assignments in case of loss or the need for further moderation.
Extension of Time for Assignments
In uniformity with the MCD policy extensions may be granted by a lecturer provided that:
- if possible, the student requests the extension no later than one week prior to the work being due;
- the lecturer is satisfied of reasonable grounds for granting the extension, and that its being given will not afford undue disadvantage or advantage to the student:
- the work is submitted no later than the agreed due date, and in no case later than the final day of semester.
Where there are medical or serious pastoral grounds for an extension to be granted beyond the end of semester, the student is to contact the UFT Dean, who may grant an extension provided that:
- the student requests the extension prior to the work being due;
- the lecturer agrees to the
extension being granted;
- there are reasonable grounds for granting the extension, and its being given will not afford undue disadvantage or advantage to the student;
- the extension and its conditions are recorded in writing and signed by the Dean and student;
- the work is submitted no later than the agreed due date. Normally no later than four weeks after the end of semester; in exceptional cases the first day of the following semester
Students granted a Dean’s extension must submit their completed assignments to the UFT office. Until the work has been submitted and marked an ‘E’ will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Late Work
A student who submits an assignment after the due date without an extension will normally be penalised by a reduction in the recorded grade.
Students experiencing difficulties should see the Dean.