University misconduct falls '“ but plagiarism on the up

Figures published by the Press Association after filing requests for information show that student misconduct incidents fell from 581 in the 2014/15 academic year to 353 in 2017/17, while fire safety offences fell from 174 to eight in that same period.

But the figures also confirmed that plagiarism by collaboration, poor scholarship and falsifying evidence has seen an annual increase.

The statistics also show a rise in the number of staff sanctions over the three-year period '“ going from at least four to at least eight.

Chief operating officer Bernie Topham said: '˜In a population of 24,000 students it is sadly the case that a very small proportion will on occasion behave dishonestly.

'˜The university has strict policies and procedures in place to deal with such cases and we are confident they are robust.'