Using AI in Your Academic Work (Falmouth University)
AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Grammarly are becoming common in study and daily life. They can help you:
- Generate ideas.
- Check grammar and spelling.
- Summarise information.
But you are responsible for everything you submit. Using AI the wrong way — even by mistake — can count as academic misconduct.
What is a prompt?
A prompt is the question, instruction, or request you give to an AI tool to get it to generate content.
Examples:
- “Write a short summary of this article” or
- “Check the grammar in this paragraph”
Before you use any AI tool:
- Ask your tutor first. Each course is different. Some allow AI for certain tasks, and others don’t.
- Read the University’s full guide on using AI in academic work. It explains what is and isn’t allowed.
- Think about what the AI is doing for you. Are you using it to check spelling, or to write content?
- Check all information yourself. AI tools can make mistakes or invent facts and references, these are sometimes called 'hallucinations'. This is normal and you will need to check any information AI gives you against a reliable source.
- Always make the work your own. The ideas, structure, and understanding should come from you.
- Say if you used AI. Some courses ask you to include this in an “Acknowledgements” section. You will always need to state in your work if and how you used AI.
Key Points
- AI can be helpful, but it cannot replace your own thinking, research, or writing.
- Always verify facts and references.
- Keep careful records of AI use; you might need them if asked by your tutor or for academic review.
- For AI-assisted or AI-integrated assessments, include:
- Tools used
- Prompts
- Links to outputs (if possible)
💡 Read Falmouth University’s full AI guidance before using AI: 👉 Using AI in academic work: a student guide
Need help?
Contact the SU Advice Team: advice@thesu.org.uk