University of Aberdeen

Important: You must not use GenAI to do your critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, or synthesis. Neither should you use it to generate essays, poems, or any creative works. The purpose of these assignments is to demonstrate your unique ideas and creativity. Remember, using GenAI tools to generate content for work submitted for assessment, without authorisation or acknowledgement, will be regarded as academic misconduct and investigated as a plagiarism offence under the Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic). You can find out more by watching our introductory video.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 17–23
SHA-256: 795bbe9842102c811182c1105fd9d269e82162f6819e4e52d0bd7f8b9d394209

Misuse of Artificial Intelligence Misuse of Artificial Intelligence is defined as the unauthorised or unacknowledged use of artificial intelligence tools to generate content for work submitted for assessment, unless explicit permission / guidance has been given to use them as part of the assessment method. Using GenAI tools such as ChatGPT to generate material for work submitted for assessment, without any form of editing or acknowledgement, or by not following the assessment guidelines fully, may constitute academic misconduct.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 348–354
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097

1.2 Privacy and data considerations There are risks to data privacy and intellectual property when entering prompts or data into GenAI tools. Always ensure that you have the appropriate permissions in place before entering any data into these tools. Please note that any learning materials (e.g. lectures) and assessment information (e.g. questions, tasks, activities) must not be entered into these tools without the explicit permission of the author (e.g. Course Coordinator, Lecturer). What you can do: Never enter personal and sensitive data into GenAI tools. Review their privacy policy and terms of use, or equivalent statements, to inform your use. Further support on information security is available.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 53–61
SHA-256: 795bbe9842102c811182c1105fd9d269e82162f6819e4e52d0bd7f8b9d394209

If you are permitted to use GenAI tools for your assessment, you must ensure you acknowledge which tools you have used, when you used them, and how you used the content that they generated. Acknowledging the Use of GenAI Tools It is recommended that you provide the name(s) of the GenAI tool(s) used, a statement summarising how they were used, the prompts used, the date on which the content was generated and a description of how the generated content was used. This can be represented as follows: I acknowledge the use of [Insert name of GenAI tool(s)] from [company, url of GenAI tool(s)] to [Insert a statement summarising their use]. I entered the following prompts on [Insert date]: [Insert prompts] and [Insert description of how the generated content was used] For example: I acknowledge the use of Copilot (Microsoft, https://copilot.microsoft.com/) to generate content for background research on this assignment. I entered the following prompts on 10 September 2025: • Provide information on the ethical considerations when using generative artificial intelligence tools • Describe the challenges and opportunities that GenAI tools offer to Higher Education and Careers The content generated from these prompts was used to create an outline structure, which I then refined by drawing on academic sources I identified through searching electronic databases and Primo. If you have been permitted to use GenAI tools, but do not make use of them, you should acknowledge this: No content generated by a GenAI tool(s) has been used in this assignment. Citing and Referencing GenAI Content, in Addition to Acknowledging their Use You may need to cite and reference material generated by a GenAI tool. Since content generated by a GenAI tool is a nonrecoverable source, it is recommended that you use the reference style for personal communication, unless specific guidelines are available. For example, for the Harvard Style: In-text citation: Format: creator (year) Microsoft Copilot (2025) stated that “A generative artificial intelligence tool is a tool that uses AI to create new and realistic content, such as text, images, music, audio, and video, based on existing data or inputs” Reference: Format: creator (year of communication) title/name of GenAI response to ‘name of person who conducted the search’, day month accessed Microsoft (2025) Copilot response to Joe Bloggs, 12 September PAGE 2 University of Aberdeen: Centre for Academic Development Reviewed: 22/07/2026 Quick Guide Number: QG34 Q u i c k G u ide t o A c kn o w le d g in g an d C i ti n g t he Us e of G e n AI Please note that this guidance is provisional and subject to change as the Library develops detailed

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 8–46
SHA-256: d12be4d378ae9138a992ea781e251d193fa38e17a4703f1dcbb43c504b3f7541

4.1.2 The procedure to be followed by the Head of School when conducting a School-level Investigation is as follows, with further provisions applying to both School-level Investigation meetings and Discipline Hearings outlined in Appendix B: (a) a meeting, held on campus or online (e.g. via Microsoft Teams) , should be arranged with the student no later than 10 working days after the allegation is raised, giving the student at least 5 working days’ notice of the meeting, unless otherwise agreed in writing; (b) the student should be contacted, in writing, outlining the reasons for the meeting, clearly stating PAGE 3 3 Approved by the University Court (June 2026) the allegation, and confirming that they may be accompanied by another person if they wish. At the same time the student must be provided with copies of all evidence supporting the allegation of Academic Misconduct (see Section 5) . Such meetings will be held in the appropriate way, whether on-campus or online; (c) where relevant, the student may be questioned to determine their level of understanding of the work submitted . In some cases, an appropriate subject specialist will be invited to attend the meeting to facilitate this. The student should be informed if any additional members of staff will be invited to attend the meeting. (d) another member of staff shall be present at the meeting for the purpose of taking a record of the discussion, and additional staff members may be present if the Head of School requests; and (e) the student should be sent a copy of the meeting’s outcome (using the appropriate pro forma) and record of the discussion to confirm its accuracy, no later than 5 working days after the meeting is held.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 94–117
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097

outcomes available to dispose of the case. The outcome chosen can be based on consideration of mitigating circumstances raised by the student during the School-level Investigation or the general significance of the elements of the assessment in question: (a) To signpost the student to available guidance, additional training or support to avoid academic misconduct in the future (which may include referral to the Student Learning Service for advice and support), with or without any additional penalty; (b) To ask that work be assessed ignoring the sections where academic misconduct was found, and a mark (or outcome) be provided in the usual way, reflecting the amount of independent work of the student; (c) To deduct up to a maximum of 3 CGS points1; (d) To allow the student to resubmit the work in question for assessment, taking into account advice given during the meeting on avoiding academic misconduct and any other support deemed appropriate for the specific case (which may include referral to the Student Learning Service for advice and support and/or signposting to additional training), as a first attempt and therefore without capping the grade (or outcome); (e) To allow the student to resubmit the work in question for assessment, taking into account advice given during the meeting on avoiding plagiarism/collusion and any other support deemed appropriate for the specific case (which may include referral to the Stu dent Learning Service for advice and support) with the ultimate grade for the assessment in question being capped at a D32; (f) To award a CGS of G3 for the component of assessment (for example, a written examination or piece of in -course assessment) in which extensive academic misconduct occurred. If the imposition of this penalty means that the student fails the course and a resit is permitted, the CGS mark attainable following reassessment will be restricted to a maximum of CGS D33.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 160–184
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097

6.2 Possible outcomes where an allegation of academic misconduct is upheld at Discipline Hearing 6.2.1 Following a Discipline Hearing, t he Investigating Officer , having completed the investigation and considered all of the evidence submitted, may: (a) Decide that academic misconduct has not occurred and the allegation is not upheld, or (b) Decide that academic misconduct has occurred and the allegation is upheld, or (c) Decide that the case should be dismissed due to procedural irregularity. 6.2.2 Where an allegation of academic misconduct is upheld at Discipline Hearing, the possible outcomes are those listed in Section 4.2.4, in addition to: (a) The student shall be awarded an overall CGS G3 for the course(s) in which academic misconduct occurred. If a resit is permitted, the CGS mark attainable following reassessment will be restricted to a maximum of CGS D34. (b) The student shall be expelled from the University. In this case, the outcome shall be ratified by the Principal (or their nominee).

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 280–292
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097

2.2 For cases that are being dealt with at University level, a n Investigating Officer will be selected from a list of academics approved by Senate. The Investigating Officer will be from a different School from which the allegation has been raised. 2.3 The standard of proof that shall be used in all cases under this Code is the balance of probabilities. This means that a Head of School, Investigating Officer or anyone else permitted to make a decision under this Code will be satisfied that an event occurred if they decide, having reviewed the evidence available, that the occurrence of the event was more likely than not. 2.4 The possible decisions an Investigation Officer can take when deciding if a case of alleged Academic Misconduct has taken place are that the allegation is: upheld; not upheld; or case dismissed.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 31–41
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097

11.4 APPEALS AGAINST THE OUTCOME OF DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS UNDER THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON STUDENT DISCIPLINE (ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC) Under the Code of Practice on Student Discipline (Academic) and Code of Practice on Student Discipline (non-Academic) (see glossary of terms) a student can appeal against the decision of a Disciplinary Officer, a Senior Disciplinary Officer or a Disciplinary Committee, but only if there are valid grounds to do so (section 1 refers). A student in this position will be considered to have exhausted the first steps and initial stage of a standard appeal and, as such, will be invited to complete a form equivalent to that of a Part C. The submission of the appropriate form (and supporting documentation) will be logged, given a reference number and will be allocated to a Case Officer. An email will be sent to the student confirming these details. Late submission will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances where good reason can be given for the delay. Where the discipline case File Record has not been provided by the student, this will be sought from the appropriate internal department by the case officer. The process for this type of appeal will then follow the procedures as laid out above (section 11.3 refers).

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 437–454
SHA-256: 712b58bd1b8f165f3cd0cedbbd311e0df3e8d42f824d363129ef66a91317f0d8

1 Procedure when arranging a meeting/Discipline Hearing under this Code 1.1 The student who is the subject of action under this Code shall be informed in writing of any allegations made against them and the date, time and location of the proposed meeting/Discipline Hearing. Such meetings will be held in the appropriate way, whether on-campus or online. For School-level meetings, notice of at least five working days shall normally be given of any meeting that requires the student’s attendance. For Discipline Hearings, notice of at least five working days during teaching time (ten working days outside teaching time) shall be given, unless the prior agreement with the student has been reached. 1.2 The student shall be provided a copy of this Code and any other relevant Codes of Practice as part of the initial communication regarding the meeting/Discipline Hearing. The student shall also be provided with copies of all written submissions which are to be considered at the hearing. 1.3 The student shall be invited to respond in writing to allegations but shall not be required to do so. 1.4 The student shall be required to confirm that they will attend the hearing on the specified date/time and provide details of any witnesses they wish to be present at the meeting/Discipline Hearing. 2 Representation 2.1 The student may be accompanied or represented at any meeting/Discipline Hearing by one person of their choice, provided that details of the accompanying person are submitted in advance . The Head of School/Investigating Officer has the discretion to permit additional persons to accompany the student at any meeting/ Discipline Hearing, though the student must request this , and provide details of anyone accompanying them, in advance. 2.2 Where a student is alleged to have committed an offence under this Code with another individual, that individual may not accompany the student at any meeting/Discipline Hearing connected with the offence. That other individual may, however, be called as a witness at the meeting by either the Head of School/Investigating Officer or the student to which the meeting/Discipline Hearing relates. 2.3 The University will not provide legal or other representation for students subject to proceedings under this Code. Students can seek independent advice on the application of this Code, and obtain representation at a meeting/Discipline Hearing, from Aberdeen University Students’ Association. 3 Extenuating or Mitigating Circumstances 3.1 If a student believes that a medical condition or other personal circumstances have affected their performance in an assessment, they must notify the relevant School(s) at the first possible opportunity. The University’s Policy and Procedures on Student Absence provides further information on the procedure which must be followed. 3.2 Where a student has not given notice of extenuating or mitigating circumstances within the required timescale, they cannot be accepted as evidence under this Code unless permitted by the Head of School after a satisfactory explanation for the delay in providing the information is given.

Collected: 2026-10-08 · 395–429
SHA-256: b17b44e1c253c3eab7e651a5977e9332a054d5c786905d4aafb98b5ee9b52097