If you are wondering what would not happen if you were found to be guilty of plagiarism at the University of Pretoria, it is important to first understand the institution’s strict academic integrity policy.

The University of Pretoria enforces plagiarism rules consistently across all faculties, and penalties are formally recorded through the Division of Legal Services.

What Happens When Plagiarism Is Reported

When a plagiarism case is identified:

  • The incident is reported to the Division of Legal Services.
  • The lecturer provides evidence, including marked plagiarised passages and source materials.
  • The Division records the incident in the official Plagiarism Register.
  • The student receives a formal letter confirming the penalty.

If it is a first-time offence and the student admits guilt, penalties may be lighter. However, repeated offences can result in severe disciplinary investigations and possible expulsion.

What Would Not Happen

If you are found guilty of plagiarism at the University of Pretoria, the following outcomes would not occur:

  • You would not escape without a record of the incident. Every case is logged in the Plagiarism Register.
  • You would not be excused by claiming ignorance of plagiarism policies. All students are responsible for knowing the rules.
  • You would not avoid penalties by providing false information. Doing so may lead to harsher disciplinary action.
  • You would not have the option to disregard the penalty scale. Sanctions are applied based on severity and prior history.

Why Academic Integrity Matters

The University maintains strict measures because plagiarism undermines academic standards.

Students are strongly encouraged to uphold integrity in research and assignments to avoid disciplinary action.

FAQ: Plagiarism at the University of Pretoria

1. What happens if you are caught plagiarising at the University of Pretoria?
The incident is reported, recorded in the Plagiarism Register, and a penalty is applied according to the policy.

2. Can you be expelled from the University of Pretoria for plagiarism?
Yes. Repeat offences or serious cases can lead to expulsion.

3. What would not happen if you were found guilty of plagiarism at the University of Pretoria?
You would not avoid a record of the incident, penalties, or accountability.

4. Does a first-time plagiarism offence lead to expulsion?
Not usually. First-time offences often result in lighter penalties, but still carry academic consequences.

5. Can providing false information help avoid punishment?
No. Providing false information leads to stricter disciplinary action.

6. How can students avoid plagiarism at the University of Pretoria?
By properly citing sources, paraphrasing correctly, and following the academic integrity guidelines.

7. Who handles plagiarism cases at the University of Pretoria?
The Division of Legal Services manages all reported cases and maintains the official Plagiarism Register.