Contract cheating: Will students pay for serious criminal consequences?

Abstract

There are increasing reports of university students contracting with third parties to write their essays and assignments. While getting caught is likely to mean the student faces disciplinary action within the university, the students and those offering the service may also be exposing themselves to criminal prosecution. This article looks at the range of offences that students and the contract cheating services could be committing – including fraud, forgery and conspiracy. The article also recommends specific statutory offences be introduced. Far from an entrepreneurial innovation, the activities can be construed as serious crimes.