BREAKING: UPSA Dismisses 3 First-Year Students and Sanctions 10 Others Over Exam Malpractices

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has sanctioned thirteen first-year students for engaging in various acts of examination malpractice during the First Semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. The decision was taken by the university’s Examination Committee at a meeting held on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

According to the statement issued by the university, the offences committed by the students include communicating with other candidates during exams, colluding with peers to cheat, bringing mobile phones and prepared notes into the examination hall, copying from prohibited material, and in one instance, swapping question papers during the examination. These actions were deemed to be in direct violation of Section 4.4 of the 2018 edition of the UPSA Undergraduate Students’ Handbook, which outlines the university’s policies on academic misconduct.

The sanctions imposed vary in severity depending on the nature of each offence. Some students received cancellations of their exam papers and were awarded a Grade Z, while others were rusticated from the university for two semesters. In the most serious cases, students were dismissed outright. Several students have also been fined GHS100 for the retrieval of confiscated mobile phones used during the examinations.

Three students were dismissed for copying from prepared notes and exchanging question papers during the exams. Some others were caught with mobile phones during their French Language exams, leading to further sanctions, including paper cancellation and suspension. The committee emphasised that these measures are meant to reinforce the university’s commitment to academic integrity and to serve as a warning to other students.

The university’s Examination Committee has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards academic dishonesty and called on all students to abide strictly by the rules and regulations governing examinations at the institution. The list of sanctioned students has been published in line with the university’s transparency policies.

This development highlights the growing need for academic institutions to uphold strict standards in the face of increasing attempts to undermine examination credibility. UPSA continues to position itself as a centre of excellence and professionalism, and its actions send a clear message that academic malpractice will be met with serious consequences.

List of the sanctioned students and their offences