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University of Manchester - AI Policy & UnTXT Guidance

What Manchester's AI Policy Actually Says

Manchester says something about our entire category of product that we are going to quote in full rather than bury:

"Tools to detect AI-generated content are unreliable and biased and cannot be relied on to identify academic malpractice in summative assessment. Output from such tools cannot currently be used as evidence of malpractice."

We think Manchester is right, and we would rather say so on our own page than have you find it somewhere else.

Detectors are wrong about people. They are wrong more often about writers whose English is careful, formal, or learned as a second language, which is a bias with a direction and a cost, and it lands on the students least able to argue back. A university that refuses to convict anybody on a detector score is protecting exactly the people who most need protecting. If a marker ever produces a detection score as proof you cheated, Manchester's own guidance is on your side, not theirs.

So what is UnTXT for at Manchester?

Not evidence. Not a defence exhibit, and not something to wave at a panel — the policy above closes that door and closes it correctly. It is a mirror you hold up to your own draft before you submit, in private, where the only person reading the result is you. If a passage comes back grey, the useful question is not am I in trouble but does this sound like me, or does it sound like the tired institutional register I slide into at 2am. Usually it is the second, and the fix is your own voice.

On the rest of Manchester's guidance, which is unusually clear about tools:

"Using an AI tool to correct grammar or spelling is acceptable, but where a student uses an AI tool for proofreading work submitted for assessment, they should ensure that use of the tool does not result in substantive changes to the content or meaning of their work."

UnTXT stays on the safe side of that line by a wide margin, because it makes no changes at all. It cannot alter your meaning; it has no mechanism to. It marks passages and stops.

And the declaration rule: "Students should declare any use of generative AI in preparing work for assessment, and explain its role."

What we would do. Declare it, in one line — "I used UnTXT, an AI detection tool, to check my own draft. It made no changes to the text." That second sentence is the one that matters at Manchester, because "explain its role" is what the policy asks for and it changed nothing is a complete answer.

Source: University AI Guidelines — The University of Manchester, checked 7 September 2026. Your School may add to this. Where Manchester's pages and this one disagree, theirs is the one that counts.

Why Manchester’s Approach Matters

Manchester is a large, research-intensive university with a strong emphasis on real-world impact and employability. Its approach to AI is pragmatic: it recognises the value of AI tools while reinforcing academic standards.

This leads to a clear expectation:

  • Use AI to improve learning outcomes
  • Do not outsource intellectual work to tools
  • Maintain accountability for submitted work

UnTXT supports this by reinforcing ownership and clarity in writing.

Why Manchester Students Use UnTXT

Students typically use UnTXT when:

  1. They have used AI tools for efficiency and want to ensure compliance
  2. They are preparing coursework under time constraints and want reassurance
  3. They want to check that their writing reflects genuine understanding

What the Results Mean

UnTXT identifies structural patterns and linguistic features commonly associated with AI-assisted writing. At Manchester, this is particularly relevant given the emphasis on applied knowledge and professional readiness.

The results are there to give you something to think about and act on, not to label you or to punish anybody.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AI allowed at Manchester?

Yes, when used responsibly and in line with assessment rules.

Can I use AI for coursework?

Only if your course allows it. Always check module guidance.

Do I need to reference AI tools?

If AI contributes significantly, transparency is expected.

Can UnTXT help me improve my writing?

Yes, it highlights structural and clarity issues as well as originality signals.

What happens if I misuse AI?

It may be investigated under academic integrity procedures.

Similar Universities

If You’ve Already Submitted

Note

This page reflects publicly available guidance as of early 2026. Always refer to Manchester’s official academic integrity policy and your module handbook.