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The incidence of UK university plagiarism cases witnessed a substantial increase, with the detection of students copying personal statements doubling over the past two years. Among international applicants, India stands out with the highest number of plagiarism cases, contributing 765 out of 7,300 flagged applications in 2023. Notably, other countries experiencing high rates of plagiarism include Nigeria, Romania, and China.
Specific universities, namely Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Greenwich, and Birmingham City University, have reported the highest instances of flagged applicants engaging in plagiarism.
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, underscores the significance of personal statements being authentic expressions of an applicant’s individuality. The organization has implemented a fraud and verification service that reviews each personal statement for similarities, promptly flagging instances of potential plagiarism. UCAS Chief Executive (Interim) Sander Kristel emphasizes the prohibition of using AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for generating personal statements, as this could be considered cheating.
In interviews with Indian undergraduate and postgraduate students, concerns were raised about the practice of sharing personal statements among applicants. Some students admitted to adapting statements from successful applicants, attributing this to a lack of confidence in their writing abilities. Additionally, the role of education consultants in India and China was highlighted, with some offering assistance in crafting personal statements for a fee.
Social media platforms have become a marketplace for companies advertising services such as research papers, essays, and dissertations for a fee. Notably, the proliferation of such services raises questions about the integrity of the UK education system and the practices employed by universities and their agents abroad.
Sanam Arora, founder and chair of NISAU UK, expresses concerns about the existence of a “shady ecosystem” and calls for a thorough review by the migration advisory committee. The focus would be on evaluating the relationships between universities and agents, as well as the broader aspects of how UK education is marketed and sold internationally.
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