Aston University

h Plagiarism – where a student uses, without appropriate acknowledgement, the work of other people and presents it as their own which may give an unfair advantage over others. Intentional and unintentional acts of plagiarism will be construed as offences. i Misusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – In an assessment where the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is not permitted, or permitted in only a specific manner as outlined in the relevant assessment brief, a student uses one or more AI tools to generate assessment content which is then submitted as their own original work. AI tools can include Chatbots used to generate text or AI tools used to generate images. C1.3 The University recognises that a distinction should be made between (i) plagiarism and cheating and (ii) poor academic practice. The University considers judgements made regarding this distinction in relation to particular pieces of student work to be a matter of academic judgement. Poor academic practice will be addressed through the assessment of the work and will not result in disciplinary proceedings being brought against a student.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 755–771
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

PART E UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT BOARD E1 Cases referred to the University Academic Misconduct Board E1.1 A student whose case is to be heard by the University Academic Misconduct Board shall be sent a written summons by the Secretary to appear before the University Academic Misconduct Board at least 10 working days before the date of the hearing. The student will be given notice of the charge, of the right to representation, the date and time of the hearing and the procedure to be followed by the University Academic Misconduct Board. 21 AU-UESEC-25-6663-A 2026/27 E1.2 At a hearing the student shall be entitled to hear all the evidence in support of the charge and to state their own case. The case against the student shall be presented first. Both parties shall have the right to make a concluding statement, that of the student being heard last.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 1041–1060
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.20 Timescales: ‘days’ in these Regulations means working days i.e. not including Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays or days on which the University is closed. Whilst the University will take all reasonable steps to comply with the timescales set out in these Regulations, it reserves the right to vary them depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 305–309
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

The following table indicating severity of common offences is used: The Tariff gives the penalties that should be applied in the majority of cases. Where the circumstances are atypical, variations to the Tariff may be made to secure fairness, in line with the advice from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator that higher education institutions should balance consistency of penalties with fairness in individual cases. Members of staff dealing with atypical cases have discretion (within the limits of the penalties allowed under this Tariff) to impose lower or higher penalties if the circumstances justify them. Example offence Likely severity level Direct inclusion of unacknowledged material of lesser quantity and/or 1 or 2 importance e.g. inclusion of a small amount of material which is of subsidiary importance to the main argument or theme of the work Collusion within fixed-window or coursework assessments, depending on 1, 2, or 3 extent and nature Unreferenced use of artificial intelligence in an assessment in contravention 1, 2, 3, or 4 to the relevant assessment brief.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 18–33
SHA-256: e3f4d62606b28b5839e13e918cd6fa92d5e3200aafe75615668ad67b5a747c88

Severity Penalty 0 No penalty to awarded mark. A warning will be given. A Level 0 penalty can only be arrived at through mitigation. 1 Up to 25% penalty to awarded mark obtained for the element of assessment.* For Pass/Fail assessments where no final mark is awarded, there will be no penalty to assessment result, but the offence will be added to the student’s academic record. 2 Up to 50% penalty to awarded mark obtained for the element of assessment.* For Pass/Fail assessments where no final mark is awarded, the element of assessment will be awarded a fail mark and a resit opportunity granted if applicable. 3 Award 0% for the element of assessment* 4 Offences of severity level 4 should be referred to the University Academic Misconduct Board will determine the penalty, with the additional penalties listed in Regulations D1.4 and D1.6 of the Regulations on Student Discipline becoming available. In addition to the penalties available within this Tariff of Penalties (Regulation D1.5), penalty D1.4(f), and D1.4(g), (j) and (k) in the most serious cases, are the most appropriate penalties for academic offences. Normally at least a reprimand (formal warning) will be given.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 62–77
SHA-256: e3f4d62606b28b5839e13e918cd6fa92d5e3200aafe75615668ad67b5a747c88

F1 Appeal against the decision of the Authorised Officer or Academic Offences Officer F1.1 The grounds for appeal are: a procedural irregularity of a material nature, including the commission of an error during the disciplinary hearing; b new evidence material to the case which the student can demonstrate was for good reason not previously available. F1.2 A student who has admitted an offence may only appeal in mitigation of the penalty. F1.3 Appeals against the decision of the Authorised Officer or the Academic Offences Officer F1.3.1 A student who wishes to appeal against the decision of the Authorised Officer, or the Academic Offences Officer must give notice in writing of the grounds for appeal including a summary of their case, to the University Discipline Officer within 10 working days of the decision being notified. The University Discipline Officer will determine whether there are grounds for appeal. If valid grounds for appeal are identified for consideration the appeal against the decision of the Authorised Officer will be heard by a University Disciplinary Board Chair. Appeals against the decision of the Academic Offences Officer may be heard by a University Academic Misconduct Board Chair. F1.3.2 The student will receive these Regulations and the detailed procedures

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 1118–1139
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.20 Timescales: ‘days’ in these Regulations means working days i.e. not including Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays or days on which the University is closed. Whilst the University will take all reasonable steps to comply with the timescales set out in these Regulations, it reserves the right to vary them depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 305–309
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

F2 The Senate Disciplinary Appeals Committee for cases heard initially by a University Disciplinary Board or a University Academic Misconduct Board F2.1 The grounds for appeal are: a procedural irregularity of a material nature, including the commission of an error during the disciplinary hearing; b new evidence material to the case which the student can demonstrate was for good reason not previously available. F2.2 A student who wishes to appeal against precautionary exclusion or the decision of the University Disciplinary Board or University Academic Misconduct Board must give notice in writing including a summary of the grounds on which the appeal is made, to the Secretary of the Senate Disciplinary Appeals Committee within 10 working days of the decision being notified.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 1167–1179
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.20 Timescales: ‘days’ in these Regulations means working days i.e. not including Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays or days on which the University is closed. Whilst the University will take all reasonable steps to comply with the timescales set out in these Regulations, it reserves the right to vary them depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 305–309
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.18 Student representative: students may be represented. Normally, this role is fulfilled by a member of staff from the Students’ Union’s Advice Centre. A representative has the right to speak to and question witnesses on the students’ behalf. One representative may attend any meeting at which the student is present. The name of the representative must be provided not less than three working days before the date of any meetings, 5 working days before the date of a meeting of the University Academic Misconduct Board and 10 working days before a meeting of the University Disciplinary Board or University Disciplinary Appeals Committee. A1.19 Support and guidance: the Authorised Officer, University Discipline Officer or School Academic Offences Officer must advise the student at the earliest opportunity of the availability of support and guidance from the Students’ Union Advice Centre or their Personal Tutor. Students should be advised to make proper use of digital security measures at all times. Whilst it is important that students should retain all notes and other resources used in drafting assessments until marks have been finally released, they should also be alerted to the danger of such resources being copied without their knowledge, especially computer files stored on hard disks or networks.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 288–304
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.9 Friend: students may be accompanied by one friend in addition to their representative. The role of the friend is to provide moral support to the student if desired. A friend is not expected to speak or take any formal part in disciplinary proceedings. One friend may attend any meeting at which the student is present. The name of the friend must be provided not less than three working days before the date of any meetings, 5 working days before a meeting of the University 5 AU-UESEC-25-6663-A 2026/27 Academic Misconduct Board and 10 working days before a meeting of the University Disciplinary Board or University Disciplinary Appeals Committee.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 211–225
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

A1.20 Timescales: ‘days’ in these Regulations means working days i.e. not including Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays or days on which the University is closed. Whilst the University will take all reasonable steps to comply with the timescales set out in these Regulations, it reserves the right to vary them depending on the circumstances of individual cases.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 305–309
SHA-256: 1066442954f32d3c02bc4703924e94dd2eee3465cd0a63b763e38bd9a8a1dcba

Aston University is first Midlands University to provide all staff with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat for Students Aston University is first Midlands University to provide all staff with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat for Students Published on 06/03/2026 Share this Article: Copied to clipboard Jen Wyatt, director of education, Microsoft UK and Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University Aston University has become one of the first universities in the UK to provide full Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities to all staff The strategic partnership will give all staff access to the full suite and provide students with chat capabilities The initiative will provide students with work-ready skills, and academic staff tools to boost their research. Aston University has become one of the first universities in the UK to offer Microsoft 365 Copilot to all staff with training and support, as well as providing access to Copilot Chat for all students. The strategic partnership with the company which is the first announced by a Midlands university, will equip students with future-ready skills and will strengthen teaching and research. All staff will benefit from the full Microsoft 365 Copilot suite, including specialist agents such as Researcher and Analyst, and productivity apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that have Copilot built in. The full roll out will be completed by July 2026 and will give students the skills they need to flourish in an AI-driven economy. The initiative will also help the University’s staff to benefit from tools to become more innovative and operationally efficient, giving them more time for higher-value, strategic activity.

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 145–156
SHA-256: 9e522af814e42f24605be764477bbe76eb65407782892e20d055de64ed10b65d

Value-add! Adobe Creative Cloud Pro+ and Microsoft Copilot for our students At Aston, every student has access to Adobe Creative Cloud Pro+ and Microsoft Copilot as part of our commitment to helping you succeed in your studies and future career. This gives you access to industry-leading tools for learning, creativity, collaboration and AI-powered productivity, including Adobe Acrobat AI, PDF Spaces, Student Spaces, Photoshop, Express, InDesign and many more. You'll also receive 1,000 Adobe generative AI credits every month, enabling you to create, edit and enhance content using Adobe Firefly and partner AI technologies integrated across Adobe applications. Find out more Aston is the only UK university currently providing this level of access to both Adobe Creative Cloud Pro+ and Microsoft Copilot for all students, helping you develop the digital and AI skills expected by employers.⚡

Zebrano: 2026-10-08 · 178–183
SHA-256: e78654bdf1a689727e4fcebe7be8223b087fb420d2d06c0f457839986f614d52