New technology allows students to sit tests at home while computer lock, webcam and microphone ensure they can't cheat

It has long been said that exams should be sat in comfort – in loose-fitting clothing and with a glass of water handy.

Now scientists have taken this a step further and found a way for students to take tests from their bedrooms at any time of day or night.

At least one UK university – the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff – is experimenting with the technology, which has built in anti-cheating software, and dozens of others will be offered the service this summer. It has been developed by the US firm Software Secure Inc and works through a unit that students plug into their computers.

Once a student feels ready to sit the written exam, the technology takes a fingerprint to check their identity and a 360-degree webcam and microphone kick into action. Throughout the exam, these pick up whether the student is trying to cheat by receiving help from others. The computer also "locks down" so that the student cannot search the internet or their files for answers.

University invigilators can then watch the footage, whenever they choose to. Some may decide to watch each individual student taking their exam, while others will only view a sample of candidates, or speed through the footage to check nothing looks suspicious.

The technology, called Securexam Remote Proctor, is already used by New York University's law faculty, the University of West Alabama and other US institutions. It will be offered to universities later this month at an international plagiarism conference hosted by Northumbria University.

The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff is already looking into using the technology for its overseas students.

Mark Pelling, the senior learning development officer at the university, said he had been impressed, adding that it acted in the same way as a normal invigilator. "This could change the way we do assessment," he said.

"We are very convinced by this and we think it is probably a very effective way of invigilating." However, there were still some questions over whether a student would be able to thwart the system and cheat and how it would be possible, logistically, to send thousands of students the unit, he said.

With record numbers of students at university, institutions struggle to find an exam hall big enough to fit every candidate. The technology would solve this problem and save on the cost of hiring invigilators, Pelling said.

Douglas Winneg, Software Secure's founder, said the technology would help disabled students and those who live in remote areas to take their exams and would make employers less sceptical about distance learning courses.

Kate Byford, the senior policy adviser on disability at the Equality Challenge Unit, which helps universities to cater for all students, said she welcomed practical measures to develop "alternative approaches to assessment".

However, she said universities needed to think about whether an exam was an appropriate way to measure a student's knowledge in the first place.

"Offering a range of assessment methods ensures that more students get the opportunity to perform at their best," she said. "By anticipating students' needs and implementing different and flexible assessment methods, institutions are actively demonstrating their commitment to inclusion for all students."

Aaron Porter, president-elect of the National Union of Students, said the technology "could be one solution to problems faced by those who might have difficulty reaching a university campus for their exams, such as disabled students or long-distance learners". But he warned against using it as an excuse to further cut costs by reducing the amount of contact time students have with staff.

"No technology is completely infallible and it is crucial to ensure the fairness and integrity of assessment is maintained for all students."