Students have been caught cheating with AI at all these Russell Group unis
Promise I wrote this article all by myself
AI has many uses – summarising academic articles, generating unusual images, or even writing songs. However, some students at Russell Group universities have crossed the line by using AI to complete their assignments, which is a form of cheating. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, several students felt pressured enough to seek help from AI software for their university work.
According to AIPRM’s findings, 2,952 UK university students were penalized for cheating with AI during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, with 83% of universities investigating cases of AI cheating.
Below is a list of Russell Group universities where students were penalized for using AI to cheat in their assignments. This should act as a warning to potential cheaters or, perhaps, as a cautionary tale on where it might be harder to get caught.
9. University of Cambridge – 0 students
The University of Cambridge reported no students penalized for using AI. Perhaps Cambridge students are clever enough not to get caught?
8. Newcastle University – 6 students
Newcastle University had six students penalized for AI-assisted cheating. With a teaching score of 37.3 in the Times Higher Education 2024 rankings, some students might have sought additional help, albeit the wrong kind.
7. University of Leeds – 7 students
A total of seven students at the University of Leeds were caught using AI to cheat. Interestingly, 90% of Leeds graduates were employed or pursuing further study within 15 months of graduating. Could it be some were aiming for careers in AI by testing the software on their assignments?
=5. King’s College London – 19 students
King’s College London, with one of the highest enrollments in 2022, had 19 students penalized for cheating with AI. Larger student bodies typically see higher incidents of misconduct.
=5. University of Edinburgh – 19 students
Similarly, 19 students at the University of Edinburgh were caught cheating with AI. Perhaps their summer spent at the Edinburgh Fringe left them needing extra help from AI?
4. University of Sheffield – 40 students
The University of Sheffield, ranked 18th in the Complete University Guide’s 2025 league table, had 40 students penalized for AI cheating.
Is anyone using AI in here?
3. University of York – 45 students
The University of York, with only 23,420 students in 2022, saw 45 students penalized for AI-assisted cheating.
2. University of Glasgow – 51 students
The University of Glasgow, one of the UK’s largest universities with 42,980 students in 2021/2022, had 51 students penalized for AI cheating.
1. Queen Mary University of London – 52 students
Leading the list, Queen Mary University of London had 52 students penalized for using AI to cheat. Are the students there too busy with the vibrant East End life, leading them to rely on AI for their coursework?
