How to access free and legitimate academic help
The start of university can feel both exciting and daunting. You’re meeting new people, making new friends and learning tonnes of new information in your classes.
But as the weeks go on and assessments start to build, you might feel the excitement wane away. It’s normal to feel a little nervous or worried about upcoming assessments, especially if you’re new to university or have returned after some time away.
If you find that you need a little extra help with your assessments, it’s crucial you access support through the right channels. Accessing support through the wrong channels could result in a breach of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, which can have far-reaching implications for your studies and even your career.
Complete the Academic Honesty Education module
The University expects all students to take part in their education in an honest and authentic manner. Academic integrity is a core value of the University of Sydney. It means approaching your studies – and all your dealings at the University – in an ethical and honest way.
As a student, it’s your responsibility to familiarise yourself with and adhere to the policies and codes outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy (pdf, 350KB).
By actively engaging with material to complete assessments on your own and giving credit to others when you use their ideas, you’re enhancing your understanding of the topic while simultaneously building trust between you, your teachers, and your peers.
If the work you submit is not the result of your own efforts or is not a true reflection of your abilities, you will miss out on important feedback and will find your future studies even more difficult. More importantly, you are misleading your marker into providing you with inaccurate feedback and possibly awarding you a mark that you have not earned fairly or honestly.
Additionally, you are potentially endangering others by receiving a qualification you did not truly earn. We all rely on people knowing their jobs and being trustworthy. None of us would want to rely on a doctor, nurse, engineer, journalist, teacher, accountant or businessperson who had cheated in their assignments or exams. Society relies on universities to make sure graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to be competent and effective. Employers seek individuals who can be trusted with responsibilities, are honest in their actions and have a strong work ethic.
When you act with academic honesty and integrity at university, having applied the proper effort, you can be proud that you have truly earned your qualification. You can be proud that you have developed your mind and skills to the tertiary level and be confident in your ability to succeed in your career.
If you started a new undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree this semester, you must complete the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) in Canvas by census – 2 April 2024.
If you would like a refresher on academic integrity, continuing students can enrol in the AHEM module at any time during your studies. Once enrolled, the module will be visible on your Canvas dashboard.
What is contract cheating?
Contract cheating occurs when you outsource part or all your work to a third party, and then submit it as if you completed it yourself.
It’s called contract cheating because it involves an exchange between two or more people. The relationship between you and the third party doesn’t matter – whether it’s a company, a fellow student, a family member, or an acquaintance, if someone completes your work for you it’s considered contract cheating.
It also doesn’t matter if you paid the third party or not – if you submit work that has been completed for you by someone else, this is contract cheating, and is against University policy.
Contact cheating is serious. It’s also considered a criminal offence in Australia.
- buying a completed assignment from a tutoring or ghost-writing company
- asking a partner, friend, or family member to write part or all of an assignment for you
- paying a private tutoring company to coach you on how to complete an assignment step by step
- submitting 'model' assignment answers provided by a private tutor or tutoring company
- getting someone to sit an exam for you
- sitting an exam for someone else
- buying, selling, swapping, sharing or uploading completed assignments, assignment questions/answers, or University copyright teaching materials via websites or social media platforms like Facebook and WeChat
- failing to acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools in assessments.
Asking for help is one of the smartest things you can do while at university.
How to access legitimate support
The University’s role is to help you reach your academic potential and set you up for success in your future career. Academic, health and wellbeing, and personal support from the University is always available to you.
Speak up and reach out if you’re unsure
Never hesitate to ask for help. Asking for help is common, encouraged, and a smart thing to do while at university. During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to receive tailored advice and focused support that will not only help you to complete your assessments, but that you'll also carry with you throughout your career.
Talk to your lecturer or tutor if you’re struggling with an assignment or exam. Your teachers are there to support you and help you learn.
You can also reach out to an Academic Advisor for discipline-related advice, chat with a Learning Success Advisor at the Library, or connect with a Peer Support Advisor – fellow students who understand and can provide peer-to-peer support on all things student life.
Explore the University’s vast network of free learning resources
If you think you can benefit from tutoring, reach out to legitimate support services provided by the University.
The Learning Hub is a free resource provided by the University to help you succeed with your studies. The Hub provides learning support to students at any stage, from your initial transition into undergraduate study at the University to postgraduate coursework and higher degree research.
Through the Learning Hub, you’ll be able to:
- Access a number of resources to help you develop your skills in topics like writing, critical thinking, research, group work and more.
- Explore a range of online and free workshops that run throughout the year, where you’ll develop skills in specific areas such as critical reading or developing a persuasive argument.
- Book a free individual consultation, where you’ll learn effective reading, writing and time management strategies, and receive helpful feedback on your work using a developmental approach.
The Library has online guides to help you understand referencing and citation styles.
You can also check out the online modules on the Write Site on Canvas for support in writing and refining assessments.
Consider applying for special consideration
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or rushed for time due to external circumstances outside of your control, don’t cut corners with your work – check if you can request a simple extension or if you're eligible for special consideration.
Special consideration is available to help you meet deadlines if you experience illness or something else goes wrong.
If you feel stressed or overwhelmed about your studies, visit Student Counselling Services to talk with someone.
The University of Sydney is not affiliated with any tutoring companies.
Recognise illegitimate services, and do not engage with them
Many companies that claim to offer academic support – such as coaching, tutoring, and study materials – are not legitimate, would be considered ‘contract cheating’ services under the University’s policies, may expose you to financial and data risks or scams, and could result in penalties against you for academic misconduct.
The University is not affiliated with any tutoring companies. If a tutoring company claiming to be affiliated with the University offers you their services, do not respond.
Some contract cheating services may also try to employ students to promote their services online or even on campus. Students who engage with these companies and promote their illegitimate services not only risk serious academic penalties but also criminal penalties.
Understand the consequences of contract cheating
Contract cheating poses a significant threat to the integrity and reputation of your academic journey, our institution, and Australia’s higher education sector both domestically and internationally.
- Jeopardise your studies and learning potential
- Risk severe penalties, including failure, suspension, and exclusion
- Affect and discredit the quality of your work
- Risk plagiarism
- Expose you to financial and data risks, scams, blackmail, or extortion
- Compromise your student visa
- Delay your graduation
- Negatively impact your fellow students
- Cause you significant emotional stress by being implicated in an academic breach investigation
Additional resources and where to get non-academic support
We’re here to support you.
Students can report any academic integrity concerns to the Educational Integrity Office by email at educational.integrity@sydney.edu.au.
If you have lost money, had your details compromised or think you've been impacted by a scam, visit our scams webpage for support. Learn how to identify different types of scams and how to protect yourself, so you can safeguard yourself and others from harm.
If you feel stressed or overwhelmed about your studies or upcoming assessments, there are mental health and wellbeing resources you can access, including counselling services and 24/7 crisis support.
You can also access advocacy services provided by the Students' Representative Council (SRC) for undergraduate students, or the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) for postgraduate and higher degree by research students.
Listen to the Library's Peer Learning Advisors discuss academic integrity and contract cheating on the PeerPod Keeping it fair: academic integrity episode.
Last updated: 13 December 2024