Ulster University

You are not required to use GenAI to succeed at Ulster. If you choose to use it, you are expected to do so thoughtfully, transparently, and in line with your module requirements. What is Generative AI? Generative AI tools can produce new content, (such as text, images, audio, video, or computer code), in response to prompts you provide. Many of these tools are now built into familiar software, such as web browsers or document editors. These tools can support learning, but they do not replace your understanding, critical thinking, or academic judgement. You are always responsible for the work you submit. Ulster’s approach The University does not ban Generative AI tools. Instead, we aim to: Uphold academic integrity Protect you from misuse, over-reliance, and data risks Support AI literacy for students and staff Encourage ethical, transparent, and reasonable use Your assessed work must always reflect your own learning and understanding, even if tools are used in limited ways. New to Generative AI? Start here If you are unsure where to begin, talk to your module coordinator or studies adviser, don't make assumptions. keep your use of GenAI low-risk and focused on learning rather than assessed outputs. A useful question to ask yourself is: Is this helping me think: or is it replacing my thinking? What GenAI can help with and where to be careful Remember that all use of GenAi must be disclosed

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SHA-256: 1201df1eececdc64bebaf26bb261450803644ada3e32ac2e85b6012aa6110f92

Remember that all use of GenAi must be disclosed Generally acceptable uses (unless your module says otherwise): Developing your ideas Planning the structure of an assignment Clarifying difficult concepts Generating practice questions Revising your own written work Writing assistance, (e.g.) streamlining word counts and improving grammar Use with caution: Summarising academic sources (you must verify accuracy) Generating examples (you must adapt and contextualise them) Outlining arguments (you must develop and justify them yourself) Creating examples or drafts that you heavily edit Generally not acceptable unless explicitly permitted: Writing assessed coursework answers Generating reflective writing, portfolios, or lab reports Producing references or citations Submitting AI-generated content as your own work If in doubt : ask

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SHA-256: 1201df1eececdc64bebaf26bb261450803644ada3e32ac2e85b6012aa6110f92

If Generative AI is used without being acknowledged, this may be treated as academic misconduct. Before starting assessed work, always be clear whether GenAI use is allowed, restricted, or not appropriate for that assessment. Acknowledging the use of GenAI If you are permitted to use Generative AI for academic purposes, you must acknowledge it clearly. The Student Academic Misconduct Procedure explicitly discusses the use of AI, and the student declaration for coursework submission states that: “I declare that this is all my own work. Any material I have referred to has been accurately referenced and any contribution of Artificial Intelligence technology has been fully acknowledged. I understand the importance of academic integrity and have read and understood the University’s General Regulation: Student Academic Integrity and the Academic Misconduct Procedure. I understand that I must not upload my work before, during or after submission to any unapproved plagiarism detectors or answer sharing platforms, or equivalent, and that only University-approved platforms should be used.” Citing AI Generative Tools in the Ulster Harvard Referencing style for LHS Citing AI Generative Tools in the Ulster Harvard Referencing style for CEBE, AHSS and UUBS Acknowledging use does not automatically lead to penalty. Failing to acknowledge use is the real risk

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Protecting your data and privacy When using GenAI tools, be very careful about what you upload or share. Never input: Personal information (yours or others’) Confidential or sensitive data Placement, patient, or client scenarios Draft assignments or reflective work Unpublished research data Copyrighted material Information entered into AI tools may be stored, reused, or shared by service providers. If in doubt, do not upload it.

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SHA-256: 1201df1eececdc64bebaf26bb261450803644ada3e32ac2e85b6012aa6110f92

Copilot Sign in using your university account. Can rephrase your content and recommend structure for your essay. Suggests different vocabularies. Alternates your writing style. https://copilot.cloud.microsoft/

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Lecturers are very familiar with marking and standardising the work that comprises their modules, and they become familiar with a student’s work and can often spot changes in a student’s writing style, tone, font, format, and level of complexity. Lecturers will also be able to see where there are unexplained similarities between their work and that of other students, as well as missing or inaccurate references, different referencing conventions, and other inconsistencies. Plagiarism detection software The University uses plagiarism detection software, which can be a useful tool in highlighting similarities between the submitted work and the work of other students, researchers and authors. What happens if you are suspected of breaching academic integrity standards If you are suspected of academic misconduct, you should contact the Students’ Union Advice Bureau and/or the Student Wellbeing team for support. In most cases, academic misconduct may initially be suspected by the marker of the work being assessed or reviewed, although there are instances where reports are made through other channels such as directly to the Student Academic Affairs Team. Where there is a suspicion that academic misconduct has taken place, the University will take action in line with the Student Academic Misconduct Procedure. You can access the Procedure here. In most cases of suspected academic misconduct, you will be invited to meet with a School or Faculty Academic Misconduct Panel to enable them to carry out an investigation. You can choose to be accompanied to this meeting by another member of the University community. The Panel will subsequently make a decision on whether academic misconduct has occurred and will determine the appropriate action or penalty. You will normally be informed of the outcome within ten working days of the Panel’s decision being made.

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Penalties for breaching academic integrity standards If you have been found to have breached academic integrity standards, the outcomes range from advice and guidance through a range of penalties which may include a written warning, capping your marks, receiving a mark of zero, and in the most serious cases, suspension or expulsion. Finally, if your course is what is known as a ‘regulated’ course under a Professional, Statutory, or Regulatory Body, the consequences of academic misconduct can be even more severe. In such cases, academic misconduct may result in a Fitness to Practise investigation, which again can have serious and significant consequences. It is important that you are aware of the impact that academic misconduct can have on your University career, potential qualification and classification, and your future. Support Available We want you to succeed at Ulster. Committing academic misconduct is never a good idea. If you are struggling academically, please reach out to your course team for support. If you do not understand how to reference correctly, or if you need help with planning your study schedule, please link in with our Student Success Centre. If you are experiencing difficult personal circumstances which are affecting your ability to study, you should reach out to your course team and/or the Student Wellbeing Team. You can also have a look at other support available including support available for mental and physical health in your local area. Advice and guidance is also available from the Student’s Union Advice Bureau. If you would like to discuss the Academic Misconduct Procedure further, please get in touch with the Student Academic Affairs Team (saat@ulster.ac.uk).

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SHA-256: b39b3e7d491e39a14e28b55aca2894de78c8793c8a6265f039467e2734f950d9