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Academic Integrity - Tips & Links

Last updated on 5 March 2025
You can feel tempted to commit fraud due to stress, lack of time or peer pressure. None of these constitute reasons to ‘stretch the rules’ and you should not be tempted to do so.

You are in an academic environment where you are being educated to become an academic with an independent mind. This includes developing an academic attitude, which involves learning to trust your own critical faculties, accepting failure, and taking responsibility for your own actions.

Witnessing Academic Fraud?

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam finds it important to ensure that any misconduct or wrongdoings within the organization can be reported safely. The Whistleblowers’ Regulations have been drawn up for that purpose. In this context, whistleblowing can be described as an employee of or student at VU Amsterdam reporting suspicions of serious illegal or immoral practices that are taking place under the responsibility of VU Amsterdam and in the context of which a significant general social interest or an interest of the institution itself is at stake. Fraude during exams is such an immoral practice.

So if you have strong indications that your fellow students are committing fraud that might impact the reputation of your course, your faculty or VU Amsterdam, come forward. How? See this page.

Tips to boost your Academic Integrity

  • Confidence

    It is easy to resist temptation if you are confident and not afraid of failure.

    Therefore:

    • Attend classes, study regularly, complete homework assignments;
    • Make a study plan;
    • Make use of online tutorials and practice materials;
    • Attend the discussion after each exam so you can learn from your mistakes;
    • Get support from a student counsellor if you are anxious or find it difficult to plan or to study frequently;
    • See if there’s a relevant VU Amsterdam course to address your study challenges.
  • Before exams

    • Check Canvas, course syllabus or study guide for information about the exam. Never skip an exam’s cover page;
    • Ask your teacher what is not allowed if you are in doubt;
    • Leave the course’s WhatsApp group. If answers are shared in the group during the exam, you have avoided suspicion of fraud;
    • Flee the temptation of peer pressure by putting your phone on silent/flight mode/switching off notifications. And keep it out of reach!
    • Prevent panic: try out online exam tools prior to the exam.
  • Group work

    • Make firm agreements about tasks during group assignments (see for example this information on making group contracts);
    • Try to take a different role for each assignment, so you learn all the necessary skills;
    • If a team member is lazy and talking does not help: consult the teacher ASAP;
  • Educate yourself

    Make sure that you learn all about how to work with scientific sources and citing sources.

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