Using generative AI in your application

Using AI in your application

AI tools, including platforms like ChatGPT, are increasingly used to support a wide range of tasks. They can help generate ideas, answer questions, and provide useful information. If used appropriately, AI can support parts of your application. However, overuse or misuse can lead to lower-quality submissions and reduce your chances of receiving an offer.

We expect all parts of your application to be authentic and reflect your own knowledge, experience and potential.

The following information applies to all applications, including undergraduate, postgraduate taught, postgraduate research, degree apprenticeships and international applications.

Personal statement

AI can help you generate ideas, structure your statement, or help check for readability. It may suggest ways to rephrase sentences to make them more concise whilst maintaining their meaning.

However, creating a personal statement entirely using AI is not recommended. This can result in a generic, impersonal submission and lose the individuality and unique qualities that set you apart. Your personal statement helps us understand your motivations and suitability for your chosen course. Use of AI can increases the risk of being flagged by plagiarism detection tools such as those used by UCAS. If we identify significant AI use, this may be considered as part of your application assessment and could result in your application being unsuccessful.

For international applicants, your statement may also be used to assess your genuine intention to study your chosen programme as part of UK Student Visa requirements. In some cases, this could affect whether we are able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

For additional guidance, you can read the UCAS advice on using AI in your personal statement.

Portfolio

Your portfolio should demonstrate your own skills, creativity and development.

AI must not be used to create or compile your portfolio. However, it can be used to support idea generation or to review written elements.

If AI has been used as part of the creative process (for example, AI-enhanced images or generated content), this must be clearly acknowledged. You should also include a brief explanation of how and why AI was used.

Where work has been completed as part of a group or in a professional setting, your individual contribution must be clearly identified.

Interviews

You can use AI tools to help prepare for your interview, for example by practising questions or structuring your answers. However, you must not use AI during the interview itself, including for support with English language. Use of AI tools in an interview may result in your application being unsuccessful.

This guidance applies to all interviews, including selection process interviews, postgraduate research interviews, pre-CAS interviews and credibility interviews.

You will be asked to confirm that you are not using AI during your interview. If we later find that AI was used, any offer may be withdrawn.

References

References should provide a clear and honest assessment of your suitability for study. They typically cover your academic performance, relevant experience and personal circumstances.

All references must be provided by an appropriate and verifiable referee.

Because references rely on personal judgement and insight, your referees should take particular care if using AI to support their writing.

Research proposals

The acceptable use of AI in research proposals may vary depending on your subject area and any funding requirements.

If you plan to use AI, you should discuss this with a potential research supervisor before submitting your application. If you are applying for funding, make sure you understand the relevant guidance from the funding body.

Any AI-generated content must be clearly acknowledged.