Unethical Preparations - Cheating in UK Foundation Studies

Education is the backbone of any developed nation, and the quality of education system ensures the progress of a country. United Kingdom, with its long history of educational excellence, attracts students from all over the world. Many international students opt for UK foundation courses to prepare themselves for undergraduate studies. However, like any education system, foundation courses are not immune to malpractices. In this article, we will discuss the unethical preparations and cheating methods used by students in UK foundation studies.

The Culture of Cheating

The foundation studies in UK are the stepping stones for undergraduate studies in the country. To be successful in these courses, students need to have a fundamental understanding and knowledge of the subject they want to pursue. However, some students, instead of putting in the effort to learn, resort to cheating methods. The culture of cheating is not new, and it exists in most education systems worldwide. In the UK, students cheat for various reasons: they fail to cope with the course load, lack confidence, and the pressure to succeed.

Types of Cheating Strategies

Technology has made cheating much easier than it was before, and today’s students are tech-savvy. They use various cheating strategies to avoid exerting effort in their studies. One of the most common methods is plagiarism. Students download papers from the internet and submit them as their work. Software applications, such as Turnitin, are used by foundation courses to check for plagiarism. However, students have developed ways to bypass such methods, including paraphrasing, which changes the word combinations of the original papers to escape detection. Another cheating strategy used by students is obtaining past papers and memorizing answers, without considering the different types of questions. Moreover, students have access to technology, such as smartwatches and earphones, to receive help during exams. They use these devices to record or receive information, which results in unfair advantages over other students.

Consequences and Preventive Measures

The foundation courses in the UK take cheating seriously and impose penalties on students that are caught. Students caught cheating receive a warning, an automatic fail, or, in some cases, even expulsion. Furthermore, such incidents are reported to their next institution, which can hinder their chances of admission. To prevent cheating, institutions have developed various measures, including: setting different question papers, placing CCTV cameras in examination halls, conducting essay-based examinations, prohibiting electronic gadgets and internet searches, and using software applications to detect plagiarism. Additionally, education institutions are also trying to develop methods to enhance academic integrity and create a culture of honesty and fairness.

In conclusion, cheating remains a concern for education systems worldwide, and foundation courses in the UK are not immune to such practices. Tech-savvy students use various cheating methods, including plagiarism and using electronic gadgets, to avoid exerting effort in their studies. Education institutions must work together to ensure academic integrity and create a culture of honesty and diligence, to eliminate this unethical preparation from the education system.