Recent reporting has reignited a long-standing concern in higher education: essay cheating at university is still widespread, despite laws designed to stop it. For parents supporting teenagers on the path to higher education, this raises uncomfortable but important questions about fairness, learning, and long-term outcomes.
Cheating Didn’t Disappear – It Just Changed Shape
In 2022, the UK made it illegal to sell academic work to post-16 students for financial gain. The intention was clear: shut down so-called “essay mills” and protect academic integrity.
Yet investigations suggest the industry has simply adapted. Essay-writing services still operate openly online, often rebranded as providers of “model answers” or “study support”. Some now claim to use artificial intelligence to produce polished, university-level essays in minutes.
Despite the law being in place for several years, there have been no successful prosecutions.
For students under pressure – particularly those struggling with language, confidence, or workload – the temptation remains strong.
Why This Matters to Parents
At first glance, essay cheating might feel like a “university problem”. But the implications reach much further.
If students can progress through degrees without mastering core skills, it raises serious concerns about:
- Graduate competence in professions such as teaching, engineering, business, and healthcare
- The value of qualifications your child works hard to earn honestly
- Fairness, when diligent students are competing against purchased or AI-generated work
Former lecturers describe cheating as an “open secret”, with some staff feeling under pressure to look the other way. That culture doesn’t just harm universities – it undermines trust in the entire education system.
The Growing Role of AI in Academic Dishonesty
One particularly concerning development is the rise of AI-generated essays marketed as “guaranteed grades”. These tools can produce fluent, well-structured writing that is difficult to detect using traditional plagiarism software.
This blurs an already grey area:
- When does using tools become outsourcing thinking?
- How do universities distinguish legitimate support from academic fraud?
- Are students learning – or simply submitting?
For parents of younger learners, this is a warning sign. The habits students form before university matter more than ever.
International Students – A Symptom, Not the Cause
Much of the reporting highlights international students struggling with academic English. While language challenges are real, focusing solely on this group misses the bigger picture.
The core issue is misalignment:
- Students admitted without adequate preparation
- Courses that rely heavily on long written assessments
- Support systems that are stretched or inconsistent
Cheating flourishes when students feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsupported.
What Parents Can Do Before University
The best defence against academic dishonesty starts early – well before students arrive on campus.
Parents can help by encouraging:
- Strong writing foundations – not just grammar, but structure, argument, and critical thinking
- Healthy attitudes to struggle – learning is meant to be challenging
- Ethical use of technology – understanding AI as a support tool, not a shortcut
- Independence and ownership of learning
When students know how to learn, they’re far less likely to outsource it.
A Bigger Question About Education’s Purpose
Ultimately, this issue forces us to ask:
Is education about passing assessments – or developing capable, confident thinkers?
If cheating becomes normalised, everyone loses: students, parents, employers, and society.
As AI continues to reshape education, integrity, skill-building, and genuine understanding will matter more than ever. For parents, staying informed is the first step in helping children navigate this changing landscape honestly and successfully.