University of Edinburgh - AI Policy & UnTXT Guidance

What Edinburgh's AI Policy Actually Says

Edinburgh's position fits in one sentence, and it is a more careful sentence than most:

"The University does not ban the use of AI, though its use will be restricted for much of your assessed work."

Both halves are doing work. Not banned. Restricted for much of what you are actually assessed on — and Edinburgh goes on to publish a list of uses that are strictly prohibited and count as misconduct, while saying plainly that your own course can add more on top of that.

So there is no single Edinburgh answer to carry around with you. There is a University floor and a course ceiling, and the ceiling is often the lower of the two.

Where does a detection tool sit? UnTXT generates nothing. It reads a draft you have already finished, marks the passages carrying the statistical patterns of machine-written prose, and stops there — no text produced, none suggested, nothing altered, not so much as a comma moved. Edinburgh's prohibitions are aimed at AI-generated material ending up in your submission. There is none here to end up anywhere.

That does not settle it, and we are not going to pretend it does. Edinburgh's guidance is written about generating and about disclosure. A tool that only reads is simply not the thing it has in view, which is different from being permitted by it. Your course handbook binds you, and Edinburgh says as much itself.

One thing worth knowing rather than finding out. Edinburgh has seen a sharp rise in AI-related misconduct cases, so the people marking your work are more alert to this than they were two years ago. That is a reason to be able to account for how you wrote something. It is not a reason to be frightened of your own essay.

What we would do. Check your course guidance first — at Edinburgh that is the step, more than at most universities. Then say you used it, in one line: "I used UnTXT, an AI detection tool, to check my own draft. It made no changes to the text."

Source: Using generative AI in your studies: guidelines for students — University of Edinburgh, checked 7 September 2026. Your course guidance sits above it. Where Edinburgh's pages and this one disagree, theirs is the one that counts.

Why Edinburgh’s Approach Matters

Edinburgh is a research-led institution with a strong emphasis on academic rigour, methodology, and intellectual independence. At the same time, it is explicitly engaging with AI as part of modern research and teaching practice.

This creates a dual expectation:

• Encourage responsible exploration of AI tools
• Maintain strict standards of scholarly integrity in assessed work

UnTXT sits within this balance by supporting reflective academic practice rather than replacing authorship.

Why Edinburgh Students Use UnTXT

Students typically use UnTXT when:

1. They have used AI tools in early-stage research or drafting and want to ensure compliance
2. They are unsure how AI use is interpreted in a specific course or assignment
3. They want reassurance that their writing reflects independent academic thinking

What the Results Mean

UnTXT highlights patterns associated with AI-assisted writing, structural uniformity, and potential originality risks. At Edinburgh, this is especially relevant given the emphasis on research methodology and scholarly independence.

The output is intended as a reflective tool, helping students assess alignment with academic expectations rather than making disciplinary claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AI allowed at Edinburgh?

Yes, but only where permitted and in line with course-specific rules.

Do all courses treat AI the same way?

No. Policies may vary by school and assessment type.

Do I need to declare AI use?

If AI contributes meaningfully to your process, disclosure may be required depending on course rules.

Can I use UnTXT for dissertation work?

Yes, particularly for reviewing structure, clarity, and originality risk.

What counts as independent thinking?

Work that demonstrates your own reasoning, synthesis, and interpretation of sources.

Similar Universities

• University of Cambridge
• University of Glasgow
• University of Warwick

If You’ve Already Submitted

• What to do if you’re accused
• Understanding your results

Note

This page reflects publicly available guidance as of early 2026. Always consult the University of Edinburgh’s official policies and your course handbook for definitive rules.