Contract Cheating

eally pay other people to do their work for them, or is that just the stuff of television shows and movies? A recent study published in Frontiers in Education took a closer look at the issue of 'contract cheating,' and the results are eye-opening.

The 411 on Contract Cheating

An article published in the International Journal for Educational Integrity defines contract cheating as “a basic relationship between three actors; a student, their university, and a third party who completes assessments for the former to be submitted to the latter, but whose input is not permitted.”

Contract cheating is a particularly egregious form of cheating because it is a “qualitatively different concept” to other forms of cheating because it is “deliberate, pre-planned and intentional.” As a result, the punishments for contract cheating are especially severe.

A Growing Problem

All of which begs the question: just how common is contract cheating? The study, performed by researchers at a UK medical school, reveals the historic average of self-reported contract cheating to be 3.52 percent of students, which has increased to 15.7 percent in samples from 2014 to present. It is likely the phenomenon is even more prevalent due to underreporting.

Furthermore, the problem is also a “significant concern” within the international higher education sector: a 2017International Journal for Educational Integrity article declared that there's been an “explosion in contract cheating” and that “most commentators agree that there has been a global rise in contract cheating in recent years, across all disciplines.”

So what can be done to reverse the contract cheating trend? Ireland has announced a new law which would prohibit the provision or advertising of any contract cheating services and New Zealand the USA already have such legislation in place.

The paper concludes with a summary of recommendations for commercial contract cheating policies, including the use of face-to-face assessments; improved education and support for students and staff; and changing the laws to make commercial contract cheating services illegal.

One last thing all students should know? Not all forms of cheating are as intentional or obvious as contract cheating. To protect yourself, check out “5 Rules About Plagiarism You Can’t Ignore.” Another defense against resorting to cheating? Take classes you like. 

UK Universities Call for the Return of Work Visas for International

 UK, universities are pushing for the return of post-study visas which would allow students to remain in the country for a period of up to two years following their studies. Here’s a closer look at the situation, as recently reported by The Guardian.

Toward “A Competitive Edge”

Currently, 450,000 international students study in Britain every year, including 134,835 from the EU. However, according to Universities UK, the UK is falling behind its competitors when it comes to drawing more overseas students.

“The UK remains an extremely popular destination for international students, attracting more students from abroad except the much larger US. However, the UK’s closest competitors, such as the USA, Australia, France and Germany, all continue to grow at a faster rate in the UK.”

Specifically, while student numbers have increased by just 0.5 percent in the UK, they have risen by 10.7 percent, 9.4 percent, and 8.7 percent in Australia, the US, and Germany, respectively.

Sending a Sign

According to Sir Steve Smith, chairman of Universities UK’s international policy network, the reintroduction of a new time-limited visa would send a “hell of a signal” to the world that the UK is open to them.

Without such a demonstration, meanwhile, uncertainty may lead to stagnation. Smith says, “I think we are in danger of losing our position as one of the world leaders in international education. The market is buoyant, but the UK is flatlining in terms of international students.”

“The UK as a country needs to make it clear that international students are absolutely welcome. I think now is the time, when we are 29 weeks from Brexit allegedly, to make a grand statement about welcoming in a new era where global talent can come to this country, study, work afterwards and thereby deal with the number-one issue with the economy, which is productivity, allowing those skilled workers enter the workforce,” Smith continues.

Smith cited the example of countries like US, Canada and Australia, each of which allows graduates to stay and work in the country for a set period of time after graduation.

The UK's university minister Sam Gyimah has also recently made comments calling for increased efforts to attract international students to the UK. 

Learn more about studying in the UK.

Joanna worked in higher education administration for many years at a leading research institution before becoming a full-time freelance writer. She lives in the beautiful White Mountains region of New Hampshire with her family.

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