Teaching & Learning
- DMU permits AI use in coursework where the assessment brief or module guidance allows it, and students remain responsible for the originality and integrity of submitted work
- Undisclosed or inappropriate AI use can be treated as academic misconduct, and work generated wholly or partly by AI without proper acknowledgement may be classed as plagiarism
Where students use AI tools in the development of their work they should follow the guidance in the assessment brief and/or as provided by the module leader, and ensure that all use of AI tools is appropriately acknowledged.
The use of AI writing tools in assessed work that results in the student submitting work for assessment as if it were their own original work, when it has been wholly or partially generated by AI, and where there has been either no or insufficient acknowledgement of this use, may be considered a form of plagiarism.
Students are responsible for ensuring that any assessment submitted is based on their own understanding and knowledge, accurately referenced, and appropriately acknowledges the use of any AI tools.
- DMU states that AI use in assessments depends on the instructions in the assessment brief or from the module leader
- For formal examinations, introducing or using unauthorized materials or devices is misconduct, which would apply where AI-enabled tools are not authorized
Where students use AI tools in the development of their work they should follow the guidance in the assessment brief and/or as provided by the module leader, and ensure that all use of AI tools is appropriately acknowledged.
Taking into an examination any unauthorised materials, equipment or digital media or making use of any aids or assistance that have not been authorised for use by the examiners, or assisting another candidate to do so.
- However, students are told not to rely on AI output alone, to check accuracy, and to keep responsibility for their own learning and submitted work
- DMU allows students to use generative AI for study support and skills development, such as planning, summarising, revising, generating practice questions, and getting explanations
Generate a structure for your work / Create a basic assignment plan / Create a draft study timetable / Suggest reading materials / Summarise long and complex documents / Produce an outline / Generate revision notes / Create possible test questions / Help explain complex concepts / Identify key themes and concepts / Support independent study / Aid essay planning and structure / Suggest keywords for database searches / Explain terms and vocabulary / Provide examples and case studies / Highlight grammar or spelling errors / Ask for feedback on your work
It's not always correct - The information generated by AI can be wrong, incomplete, or out of date.
It's not a replacement for thinking - You still need to understand the subject, check facts, and make sure your work is your own.
- DMU does not set a separate university-wide rule specifically for AI code generation in programming assignments
- Programming-related AI use falls under the general rule that students should follow the assessment brief or module leader guidance and should acknowledge AI use appropriately
Where students use AI tools in the development of their work they should follow the guidance in the assessment brief and/or as provided by the module leader, and ensure that all use of AI tools is appropriately acknowledged.
Research
- DMU does not define a specific university policy on using AI to draft, edit, or format research papers, theses, dissertations, or manuscripts in the provided sources
not defined
- DMU does not define a specific university policy in the provided sources on using AI for research data collection, analysis, statistical processing, synthetic data generation, or interpretation of results
not defined
- The research integrity framework is general rather than AI-specific
- DMU requires research to comply with recognised standards of honesty, rigour, transparency, open communication, care and respect, and accountability, but the provided sources do not set AI-specific rules for grant proposals, ethics applications, or research integrity declarations
Research carried out under the auspices of the university must comply with recognised standards and practices in relation to the conduct of research.
Researchers are expected to maintain the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research.
Honesty in all aspects of research
Rigour in all aspects of research
Transparency and open communication
Care and respect for all participants in and subjects of research
Accountability both for one's own research integrity and that of others
Academic Integrity
- DMU requires students to acknowledge AI use appropriately when it is used in academic work
- The university provides a model declaration and example reference format for generative AI, and warns that absent or insufficient acknowledgement can constitute plagiarism
Where students use AI tools in the development of their work they should follow the guidance in the assessment brief and/or as provided by the module leader, and ensure that all use of AI tools is appropriately acknowledged.
The use of AI writing tools in assessed work that results in the student submitting work for assessment as if it were their own original work, when it has been wholly or partially generated by AI, and where there has been either no or insufficient acknowledgement of this use, may be considered a form of plagiarism.
Suggested AI acknowledgement statement
I acknowledge the use of [Insert AI system(s) and link] to [specific use of generative artificial intelligence]. The output from these systems was used to [explain how the output was used].
Suggested AI reference format
OpenAI (2025) ChatGPT (June 1 version) [Large language model]. Available at: https://chat.openai.com/chat (Accessed: 1 June 2025).
- DMU treats improper AI use as a possible form of plagiarism and therefore as academic misconduct subject to formal procedures and penalties
- The university also states that Turnitin's AI indicator is not fully reliable and that staff should not use AI detection alone to prove misconduct
The use of AI writing tools in assessed work that results in the student submitting work for assessment as if it were their own original work, when it has been wholly or partially generated by AI, and where there has been either no or insufficient acknowledgement of this use, may be considered a form of plagiarism.
Academic misconduct is defined in Appendix 1 and all concerns should be investigated in line with this policy and supporting guidance.
AI software does not currently offer a foolproof and definitive way to identify AI-generated text. We cannot know for certain if someone has used AI and no one can say with complete accuracy whether a piece of work has been generated by AI or if it is original. AI detection software can make mistakes.
The AI indicator may suggest that a student has used AI, but it shouldn't be used to directly accuse them. Instead, it should prompt you to review the work closely, compare it to the student's previous submissions or writing style, and look for other possible signs before making any decision.
Institutional & Administrative
- DMU does not define a university-wide policy in the provided sources governing faculty or staff use of AI for grading, feedback, lesson planning, recommendation letters, or administrative communications
not defined
- DMU provides practical AI guidance for students and academic integrity advice, but the provided sources do not define an overarching university AI strategy, AI governance committee, or formal institutional AI roadmap
not defined
DocuMark: Responsible AI Use for Academic Integrity
Knowing your institution's AI policy is step one. DocuMark helps enforce it fairly by empowering universities to manage AI-generated content, prevent cheating, and support student writing through responsible AI use.
Common Questions About De Montfort University's AI Policies
De Montfort University has defined AI policies in 11 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 92%.
DMU requires students to acknowledge AI use appropriately when it is used in academic work. The university provides a model declaration and example reference format for generative AI, and warns that absent or insufficient acknowledgement can constitute plagiarism.
DMU treats improper AI use as a possible form of plagiarism and therefore as academic misconduct subject to formal procedures and penalties. The university also states that Turnitin's AI indicator is not fully reliable and that staff should not use AI detection alone to prove misconduct.
No explicit data protection or approved AI platform policy is currently defined in the available policy sources.