Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) is committed to providing ALL Teesside University students with the advice, information and ongoing support they need to enjoy academic success. This page contains and will have further material added through the academic year (so please keep checking back) on:

• When you can speak directly to your President Education and expert advisers from our SU Student Support (SUSS) team about academic success.
• How to show academic integrity at all times.
• How to minimise the chances of issues with your attendance at lectures and seminars.
• How to use artificial intelligence correctly and effectively with your work.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS INFO SESSIONS

Thu, 7th Nov - Ground floor, TU Library

Tue, 12th Nov - Ground floor, TU Library

Thu, 28th Nov - Ground floor, Student Life Building

Tue, 3rd Dec - Ground floor, TU Library

Thu, 12th Dec - Ground floor, TU Library

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: 

Academic Integrity (previously and sometimes still referred to as academic misconduct) is a detailed and sometimes complex issues which affect EVERYONE studying at Teesside University. We want to do all we can to help all Teesside University students show academic integrity throughout their time here and minimise their chances of breaking the rules set out by the University. 

What is it? Teesside Uni expects students to uphold core academic values and avoid using false information in any of their work. They also expect students to use learning tools responsibly and as a positive companion to their work. Additionally, they expect students to avoid actions which may give them or others an unfair advantage when being assessed or which might be interpreted by the institution as acts of collusion, plagiarism, blackmail, bribery or theft. We know that the vast majority of students would never knowingly participate in or initiate such activity, but it is important to be clear on the steps you can take to show academic integrity and the most recent updates to university regulations on academic integrity.

How to show academic integrity: The simple answer is to be as careful what you do and who you do it with when producing coursework as possible! Here are a few other top tips (This is not a definitive list, please ensure you check out the detailed regulations from the uni here.)

• NEVER loan work to other students or borrow work from them or previous students.
• Ensure you know how to reference properly and always keep a record of where you have taken quotations or notes from.
• Avoid paraphrasing apps to help you reword something. Remember that your tutors or academic librarian will always be happy to help and advise on academic writing/ correct referencing if you are unsure.
• TUSU and the Uni both advise making use of the Turnitin website for assessing the quality of your work before submitting. Ensure you are submitting your original work and not a photograph of your work.
• NEVER pay for services provided by unknown commercial providers who will often offer to help with writing essays or producing other course-related material for you.

What to do if you're affected by issues around academic integrity: We realise it will be very worrying, and it is, of course, serious, but try not to panic! Support and advice are available from TUSU and the University. If you are facing an allegation of breaching academic integrity regulations, contact the SU Student Support (SUSS) team here in the Students' Union for a confidential discussion. We work closely with the Uni but do operate independently and are here to advise and, where appropriate, represent you when you are facing action from the institution.

Our staff will advise on what they feel is the best next course of action after reviewing your case, but if you know that the allegations against you are true, then it is always better to be honest as soon as you meet them; they will not be judgemental about your actions or make you feel uncomfortable, they just want to help if they can. When meeting with an adviser, try to ensure that you fully understand what you are being accused of and have all relevant materials related to the accusation available for review, including any evidence sent to you from the university.

For advice on how to avoid plagiarism and improve your academic writing skills, please contact the Student Success Team through their online hub or by asking at the Student Life Building Reception (Open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm) situated just across the road from the Students' Union Building on Southfield Road next to The Clarendon Building. The Learning Hub in the library also provides support to improve your academic writing skills and offers drop-ins, 1:1 support, workshops and lots of online skills guides.

ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL: 

We understand that there may be many valid reasons why students are unable to attend lectures, seminars and other mandatory Teesside University activities. However, repeated failure to attend without offering your school what they consider an acceptable explanation can have very serious consequences, including, ultimately, your possible removal from your course (also known as withdrawal).

Here's how to minimise the chances of running into problems with your attendance and suggestions for how TUSU and the Uni can help you with this more effectively in the future.

• Attend all of your timetabled sessions; it's the best way to succeed in your studies.
• Always notify your school if you cannot attend and explain the reasons. View the FAQs on reporting an absence here.
• Never accept codes from other students if you did not attend a session; it can lead to disciplinary action.
• UKVI-sponsored students may need to travel home during their studies; in such cases, you must notify your school and follow the Authorise Absence FAQ on UNIverse.
• Talk to your school and TUSU if you are struggling. We are all here to help.
• REMEMBER: Persistent non-attendance can have very serious consequences, including your removal (withdrawal) from your course.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN ACADEMIC WORK

Please keep checking back for advice on this important issue. We will also provide help at the info sessions listed at the top of the page.