As the UK's independent body safeguarding quality and standards in higher education, QAA works with sector agencies, government departments, regulators, politicians and academics with expertise in academic misconduct to protect academic integrity and prevent cheating and fraud.
 
Academic misconduct presents a threat to the world-class reputation of UK higher education. Students who cheat risk their academic and future careers.

The implications go far wider than higher education. Cheating in higher education is a societal problem. Students who cheat can enter the workforce without the necessary skills, knowledge and competency, with potential public health and safety implications.

While we are concerned about all forms of cheating in higher education, we have a particular interest in essay mills, commercial entities that make money by encouraging students to cheat.