A Degree of Fraud

BBC Radio 4

Ellie Cawthorne investigates the multi million pound trade in fake essays, dissertations and PHD theses in the UK. Over 30,000 instances of contract cheating have been identified in the past couple of years and the problem is getting worse, having spread into vocational degrees such as nursing, engineering and law. Student brand ambassadors are employed by essay-writing companies to tout their wares on campus. Our report goes further than describing the abuse and hearing from perpetrators and customers. It points to a crisis in British higher education, where universities are often aware of these levels of plagiarism but are unwilling to punish convicted students.


Produced by Paul Smith


Broadcast: 4th April