You should aim to get your essays in well before the deadlines, not least because of delays caused by faults with computers, printers, photocopiers etc. Do not expect everything to work smoothly. You are expected to plan accordingly. If printing at home, make sure you have a spare toner cartridge for your printer. Computer problems are not accepted as grounds for an extension.

Any essay submitted after the deadlines will be penalised by 5 MARKS PER DAY LATE, up to a maximum of FOUR days, after which it will receive a mark of 0. This will be included in the calculation of the overall mark.

Extensions to these deadlines can only be granted by the Chair of the Board of Examiners on the recommendation of the Departmental Tutor. She is only likely to do so in cases of serious illness, which must be evidenced by a doctor's certificate, or bereavement. In particular, it is normal to expect up to two weeks’ illness in the course of the two teaching semesters and applications for extensions on medical grounds received in the last two weeks of the second term, where the illness was clearly of less than two weeks’ duration, will not be granted. Students wishing to apply for an extension should complete a form (available from the Departmental Office) and make an appointment to see the Departmental Tutor. Please note that applications for extensions will not be accepted on the deadline day itself, or subsequently, except in cases of severe illness or bereavement.

Please make sure that you are aware of the History Department guidelines on plagiarism. Essays, while based upon what you have read, heard and discussed, must be entirely your own work. It is very important that you avoid plagiarism, that is the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were your own. Plagiarism is a form of cheating, and is regarded by the College as a serious offence, which can lead to a student failing a course or courses, or even deregistration. Please see the departmental student handbook for further guidance on avoiding plagiarism. (Students not registered in the History Department should ask at the Departmental Office for a copy of the Department’s guidelines).
Any quotation from the published or unpublished works of other persons must be clearly identified as such by being placed inside quotation marks and students should identify their sources as accurately and fully as possible in footnotes.
Recourse to the services of “ghost-writing” agencies (for example in the preparation of essays or reports) or of outside word-processing agencies which offer correction/improvement of English is strictly forbidden and students who make use of the services of such agencies render themselves liable for an academic penalty.

You should note that UCL has now signed up to use a sophisticated detection system (Turn-It-In) to scan work for evidence of plagiarism, and the Department intends to use this for assessed coursework. This system gives access to billions of sources worldwide, including websites and journals, as well as work previously submitted to the Department, UCL and other universities.