Attempt to deceive during examinations, commonly referred to as cheating, is a violation of the rules that the University of Gothenburg takes very seriously. Disciplinary measures are a warning or a suspension from studies up to six months.
What is considered as cheating?
Cheating means that a student has tried to give a misleading impression of their study performance, for example by copying someone else’s text (including AI-generated), using unpermitted aids, or cooperating when it is not allowed.
The legal term for cheating is attempted deception during examinations.
As a student, it is your responsibility to know the rules and avoid cheating. This page provides useful guidance, but always ask your teacher if you are unsure.
Forms of cheating
Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s text or other material as your own.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Not citing a source or mark quotations.
Using phrases from someone else’s work and only changing a few words to synonyms, whether or not you cite the source.
Paraphrasing someone else’s work without citing the source.
Translating someone else’s text word-for-word without showing that it is a quotation.
Copying and reproducing tables, diagrams, or images from someone else’s work without citing the source.
Plagiarism check
The University of Gothenburg uses a digital system for plagiarism checks, which works through web-based text matching.
Your text is submitted to the system, often via Canvas, and then analysed and compared with content from the internet, published material, and previously submitted work (such as student assignments) from the University of Gothenburg and other universities.
If the system detects similarities with these sources, the document is flagged for potential plagiarism.
Generative AI can create new content. The university does not forbid the use of generative AI, but it counts as cheating if you use it to:
Complete an exam task that you, as a student, are expected to do yourself.
Present AI-generated text or other material as if it were your own work.
Other uses of generative AI may also be prohibited in your course or programme.
The use of aids not permitted in examination instructions is considered cheating. Aids often prohibited include notes, mobile phones, books and laptops.
Collaborating and communicating with others in ways not permitted by examination instructions is considered cheating.
Other actions, that don’t fit into the categories above, can also be considered cheating. Examples include falsifying certificates or signatures.
How to avoid cheating and plagiarism
Your teacher always provides you with instructions before an examination; make sure to read them carefully. If you are uncertain about the instructions you should contact your teacher. Keep in mind that the conditions may have changed from previous examination occasions, such as allowed aids.
The University of Gothenburg has local examination rules, which include general rules, rules for certain examination formats (hall-based examinations, examinations at another place, and other examination formats), as well as administrative rules.
The examination rules can be found in the policy document Rules for Studies at First- and Second-Cycle Level. You can download the rules from the Laws and Regulations page.
Learn what is required when you use the work of others. By using references in your text, you indicate the source of the information.
On the Student Portal, there is a guide for searching, reading, and writing, intended to support you in your work, from your first study assignment to your thesis work.
In this guide, you can learn about searching for information, working with sources and references, and what you need to consider when writing an academic text.
If a suspected case of cheating (attempted deception during examinations) is detected, it is always investigated.
Initially, the responsible department will look into what happened and decide whether there is a well-founded suspicion of cheating. If the suspicion remains, the case is reported to the Vice-Chancellor.
These cases may be handled by the University’s Disciplinary Board, which decides on any disciplinary measures. You can read more about what happens on Disciplinary matters.
Disciplinary measures for cheating
The disciplinary measures are a warning or suspension from your studies for up to six months.
The most common action taken when a student has attempted to deceive during an examination is a six-week suspension from studies.