Student Advocacy

Academic integrity and student misconduct

To learn about what academic integrity is, and why it is so important, we recommend reading the information published in the VU Library Guide. 

All students should complete the interactive academic integrity modules available on VU Collaborate. Go to Academic Integrity HQ for VU Students to enrol. For more information, please see the Academic Integrity - VU Collaborate Help page.

Any behaviour in breach of VU’s Academic Integrity policy and guidelines could be deemed student misconduct. Examples of academic student misconduct include plagiarism, collusion, using AI-generated text without acknowledgement and contract cheating.

Other examples of student misconduct can include: providing false information to VU, bullying a VU student or staff member, or obtaining access to VU premises without authorisation

If you are asked to attend an investigation meeting about alleged student misconduct or an academic integrity breach, make sure to contact us as soon as possible. We can provide guidance and support with the misconduct investigation process. 

You will receive a written notification to your VU student email account that includes:

• details of the alleged student misconduct or academic integrity breach
• copies of all relevant material to ensure procedural fairness
• the date, time and location of the investigation meeting
• information regarding your right to be heard through a spoken or written response and accompanied by a support person and/or assisted by a Student Advocate.

Watch our video guide to academic misconduct

Academic progress

Successfully progressing through your course is a basic requirement for studying at Victoria University (VU). If your academic progress is unsatisfactory because you have failed units, you will be sent an official notification to your VU student email address.

If you receive a Level 1 or 2 academic progress notification, you should book an appointment with a Student Advisor to create an Academic Action Plan.

If you receive a Level 3 notification, we can help you prepare for the Show Cause hearing. 

You must book your Show Cause hearing immediately. If you have not booked a Show Cause hearing within 5 calendar days, you will be excluded from your course. 

Once you have booked a Show Cause hearing, contact us so we can help you prepare for the Show Cause hearing.

Learn more about student progress

Remission of academic results and debt

If exceptional circumstances beyond your control have affected your academic progress within the past 12 months, you can apply for a remission of any units failed due to your exceptional circumstances.

You will need to complete the A93 Remission of debt application form, provide evidence of your exceptional circumstances, and explain how these circumstances prevented you from successfully completing the unit/s of study. 

Before submitting your remission application, please contact us for guidance.

Learn more about remission of results and debt

Assessment adjustments

If you are experiencing circumstances impacting your performance in an assessment, you can apply for an assessment adjustment. This can include an extension of time or an alternative form of assessment.

For short-term or unexpected circumstances, apply for a short extension or special consideration. 

For ongoing circumstances relating to a disability or health condition, contact Disability and Accessibility Services to arrange an Access Plan. 

If you require an assessment adjustment but are unable to provide evidence of your circumstances, please contact us to discuss your options. We can also help if you are unsatisfied with the outcome of a special consideration application or if you haven't received a special consideration outcome.

Assessment results

We can provide advice and guidance on requesting a review if you disagree with an assessment result.

If you need help understanding your assessment feedback, we recommend that you first speak with your teacher, or reach out to the Learning Hub for further help.

Learn more about reviewing your assessment results

Complaint resolution

We can provide you with advice and guidance on informal and formal complaint resolution.

To understand the steps involved in making a formal complaint, please read through the details of the Student Complaint Process before contacting us for guidance.

Student reviews and appeals

During your studies, you might receive an outcome or a decision that you are unhappy with or believe to be incorrect. Depending on the situation and type of decision, you may request a review of a decision, or you may be able to lodge an appeal.

If you want to appeal a decision, please read more about Student Appeals before contacting us for guidance.