GuildHE, one of two recognised representative bodies for higher education, has welcomed new guidance on contract cheating in higher education, which QAA has published today (10 October).

The guidance, prepared in collaboration with GuildHE, Universities UK and the National Union of Students, aims to help universities, colleges and higher education providers to address issues of contract cheating, including the use of third party services and ‘essay mills’, and follows on from QAA’s investigation into essay mills, conducted last year.

Gordon McKenzie, GuildHE CEO said:

“This new guidance is an important step by QAA to curtail contract cheating, which undermines our world-class higher education system.

“The vast majority of students are committed to their studies, and devote time and energy to meeting their potential. Contract cheating devalues this hard work and has no place in our universities and colleges.

“We encourage all higher education providers to take note of this helpful guidance.”

The full guidance can be found at: https://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and-guidance/publication/?PubID=3200#.WdtdLmhSyUk