University is not always plain sailing. Juggling so many assignments while trying to find study-life balance, and sometimes even working part-time, can easily lead to burnout. Sound familiar, right? That’s why turning to dissertation or essay writing services can sometimes help relieve part of the academic pressure, especially during exam season or your dissertation write-up phase.

But how can you be sure you are choosing an essay writing service that is legit? It’s not as straightforward as it seems. Unfortunately, the essay writing industry is flooded with fake essay writing services that take advantage of students by offering cheap and low-quality papers. These are created by AI tools or by unqualified writers that are not even UK-based, or worse still, English native. Falling for an essay fraud can have serious consequences: you may receive AI-generated or plagiarised work, or even face accusation of academic misconduct.

The good news is that legitimate essay writing services do exist—it’s just a matter of recognising them. Here at Oxbridge Essays we have been in the business since 2006. We know the essay writing industry inside and out, we’ve seen it evolve over the years, and therefore we understand how to identify the warning signs of a scam essay writing service.

5 Red Flags of Scam Essay Writing Services

Here are some red flags you should look out for when choosing a legitimate UK essay writing service.

1. No Verifiable Business and Contact Information

If you are studying in the UK, resorting to essay writing companies not based in the UK is still an option for you. However, keep in mind that these organisations may not have the necessary understanding of the UK higher education system. If you want to make sure that your work adheres to your university’s standards, it’s best to stick with legitimate UK-based essay writing services. The academic expectations and standards at UK universities are unique, and a writer unfamiliar with your course's structure may not produce the high-quality work you need to achieve the grade you're aiming for.

So, how can you be sure that you are choosing a legitimate UK essay writing company? Start by doing your due diligence before committing to any service.

Check whether the company provides a UK-based contact number, a physical business address, and ask for a company registration number. A legitimate UK-based company in fact, should be legally registered with Companies House.

  • If a website only provides an email address as a form of contact, with no UK phone number or physical UK address, and refuses to provide you with a company registration number one upon request, it is a major red flag.

2. Prices in US Dollars Instead of British Pounds

Similarly, if you're using a UK-based essay writing service, why would they charge you in US dollars? A legitimate UK-based essay writing service will charge in British pounds. Many fake essay writing services try to pass themselves off as UK-based to gain more credibility and authority, but in reality they operate from countries with lower academic writing standards.

  • If a website lists prices in US dollars, it’s a pretty good indication that the service is based outside the UK.

3. Unrealistically Low Rates

Prices that seem too good to be true? Well, they most certainly are.

You are probably aware that writing a high quality academic essay requires time, research and expertise. Let’s put this into perspective: an experienced academic typically spends around five hours on a 1,000-word essay. This amount of time guarantees an in-depth analysis of the topic, accurate use of references and, of course, a structured outline and polished academic content. Yet, some essay writing services offer 1,000-word papers for as little as £20 to £40. This price mostly covers the company’s operational costs with only a fraction going to the writer. Now do the maths: at that rate the writer would probably be earning as little as £3 per hour.

Would a qualified UK-native and UK-based academic work for such an unreasonably low rate? Certainly not, considering that the UK National Minimum Wage for 2025 amounts to £12.21 per hour.

  • Essay writing companies offering incredibly low rates use AI-generated content, outsource essays to non-native English writers with little academic experience, or even resell pre-written essays.

4. Poor Website Design and Grammar Mistakes

The first impression counts. And this also applies to essay writing companies. A well-established trustworthy UK essay writing company will invest in a professional-looking website that reflects their commitment to offering high quality services.

If an essay writing company can't maintain high standards on their own site, how can you trust them with your academic work? A poorly designed site often signals a lack of attention to detail, and unfortunately, that same lack of care will likely transpire in the essays they produce.

  • If a site is filled with grammatical errors, awkward and non-British sounding phrasing, the company behind it is unprofessional and may be operating offshore where standards might not match what you’d expect in the UK.

5. Fake Essay Writing Service Reviews

Have you ever come across essay writing companies that boast thousands of positive reviews and long lists of accolades on their websites? Genuine customer feedback is rarely that flawless and rarely that abundant.

Fake reviews are a common tactic used by low-quality essay writing services to make themselves seem more reputable than they really are. Some companies go even further, creating fake review platforms that claim to be independent and unbiased. In reality, these platforms are designed to promote their own essay writing services while undermining the credibility of established, trustworthy competitors.

You might even spot threads on Reddit where discussions seem genuine but are actually staged to damage the reputation of long-established and trustworthy services such as ours. These posts aim to steer users towards a select few disreputable companies. They may look like real student discussions, but they’re nothing more than malicious marketing strategies designed to mislead you. And don’t be fooled by similarly ‘unbiased’ LinkedIn articles claiming to rank the best essay writing services in the UK. A closer look will reveal that these articles are part of the same misleading scheme.

  • If a review site only recommends a small number of services and dismisses all others as scams, is most likely part of a dishonest marketing scheme.

How to Indentify a Legitimate Essay Writing Service: A Checklist

You may think that checking essay writing service reviews is the best way to determine whether a company is reliable, but as we've discussed, positive reviews alone are not enough to identify a legitimate service.

What makes a UK essay writing service legitimate? To help you make an informed decision, here’s a handy checklist to ensure you choose a trustworthy company.

  • Check Business Registration

    Verify whether the service is legally registered in the UK. Every UK-registered company has a unique company registration number, which can be confirmed on the official UK Companies House website.

  • Test Their Customer Support

    A legitimate essay writing service will have responsive and knowledgeable customer support. Reach out to their team with specific questions before making a purchase.

  • Run a Grammar Check on Their Website

    Spelling mistakes? Awkward sentences? Abuse of exclamation marks? While we all make a typo now and then, a website full of errors can be a red flag. This may indicate a lack of attention to detail, suggesting that this company is not providing high-quality work.

  • Check Essay Examples

    A reliable service will often provide samples of their previous work to show you the quality you can expect. Ask for samples if you can’t find them on the website. If they refuse to share samples, you may want to look elsewhere.

  • Look for Secure Payment Options

    A trustworthy essay writing service will offer secure payment methods, like major credit cards, PayPal, or Klarna. If a service only offers obscure or unsecure payment methods, it could be a sign they’re not a legitimate business.

Why Oxbridge Essays Is a Legitimate Essay Writing Service

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been helping students in the UK and around the world, delivering over 250,000 projects. We’re a UK-based, fully registered company (no. 14179470) known for providing high-quality, 100% plagiarism-free and AI-free content. Our focus on excellence has made us the most respected essay writing service in the UK, trusted by students for academic success.

Our exclusive network of expert academics includes Masters and PhD graduates from prestigious UK institutions like Oxbridge and other major prestigious institutions in the UK. Only 4% of applicants make it through our rigorous selection process, so you can be sure you’re working with someone who really knows your subject inside out.

To give you a clear idea of what to expect before you commit, we offer a selection of examples, including essays, dissertations, reports, and literature reviews, which you can view and download. These examples give you a sense of the quality we deliver and can even inspire your own writing.

Furthermore, we believe in providing top-notch customer service. You can contact us any time during UK working hours, Monday to Friday. Our academic consultants are always just a message away, ready to answer your questions and keep you updated throughout the process. Plus, we offer secure payment options, including interest-free instalments with PayPal and Klarna, making it easier for you to invest in your academic success.

When you choose Oxbridge Essays, you’re choosing a professional, reliable service that puts your success first while keeping your information private and secure.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a legitimate essay writing service in the UK requires careful research and attention to detail. With so many cheap and scam companies out there, it’s essential to watch out for red flags like unrealistically low prices, poor website quality, and fake reviews. A genuine, trustworthy service will be transparent about its business registration, have real UK-based academics, and provide secure payment options.

Always keep your eyes open when researching for legitimate essay writing companies—your academic success is too important to be compromised by misleading marketing tactics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oxbridge Essays

Is Oxbridge Essays a UK-registered company?

Yes, Oxbridge Essays is a legitimate company based in the UK. We are a division of Icarus Education Ltd, a UK-registered company (No. 14179470) that is family-owned, with a strong reputation built since 2006. Our process is entirely transparent. We provide clear information about our services, pricing, and process on our website. Read our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy to learn more. If you're ever in doubt, contact us over the phone, by email or via our live chat at any time during UK working hours, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

Which universities do you source your academics from?

Our network includes academics from some of the top institutions in the UK. While many of our academics have attended Oxford and Cambridge, we also collaborate with professionals from leading red-brick UK universities and many prestigious institutions in London such as Imperial College London, UCL and King’s College London. Additionally, we work with academics from top Ivy League universities, such as Harvard or Yale, in the United States.

Can I view examples of work?

Yes, we offer a selection of examples, including essays, full dissertations, reports, literature reviews, and more, available for you to view and download. These examples showcase the high quality of work you can expect when you order with us, and they’re also a great resource to inspire your own writing.

Is using Oxbridge Essays a legitimate way to improve my grades?

Using our service correctly, as a model, is a practical, responsible way to build your knowledge and get the grades you have always wanted. Use our custom essays as a guide to direct your studies, and as a way to see what it takes to get a first or a 2:1.

We hear from a lot of students that as class sizes grow and students less one-to-one time with tutors, our service helps bridge a gap. That’s exactly what we’re here for, and it’s not cheating. What is cheating is handing in our work verbatim and claiming it as your own. We caution you not to do this.

Where can I read some Oxbridge Essays reviews?

We understand why you might be concerned if you've seen negative Oxbridge Essays reviews online or claims suggesting that Oxbridge Essays is a scam. As stated above, you should be aware that some websites fabricate reviews to discredit reputable companies such as ours, while promoting their own services.

At Oxbridge Essays, we’re dedicated to providing top-quality work and making your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, and your feedback truly matters to us. Our project managers actively check in with clients to encourage honest feedback, helping us continuously improve our services. The best way to find out more about us is to read authentic reviews from real Oxbridge Essays clients. And if you have any other concerns, you can always contact us via phone, email, WhatsApp, or live chat on our website.

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