Students at the University of Kent are Britain’s worst for cheating, an investigation has found.

A probe by the Times newspaper uncovered 1,947 academic misconduct cases at the city university in the last three years - more than at any of the other 128 investigated.

The shocking figures relate to students caught cheating in exams or coursework, with almost 50,000 said to have been found out across the UK - but fewer than 400 expelled.

Students from outside the EU were more than four times as likely to cheat, says the investigation, which was based on more than 100 freedom of information requests.

Critics have branded the national trend a “plagiarism epidemic fuelled disproportionately by foreign students”.

In 2012, the Gazette revealed hundreds of students throughout the county had been found to be dishonestly getting grades throughout the previous year.

Some were caught downloading essays from websites charging less than £5 a month for unlimited access, while others paid ghost writers to pen degree-level assignments.

It was also discovered that students were sneaking mobile phones and notes into the exam hall and leaving the room without permission.

Commenting on The Times investigation, University of Kent spokesman Sandy Fleming said: “The university has robust systems in place to detect anyone who may be trying to cheat. We will not tolerate academic misconduct.

“We take appropriate action against those who we find to be cheating and continued infringement will result in expulsion from the university.

“Such actions are in the interests of all our students and ensure the protection of our academic integrity.”

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.