Generative AI in Learning, Teaching & Assessment at Durham University

Updated: 9.30am, Tuesday 7 July 2026

The emergence and evolution of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) presents both significant opportunities and challenges in teaching, learning, and assessment, right across the education sector.  

We recognise the potential of GenAI to support our staff and students, and the need to prepare our students for careers worldwide where GenAI is increasingly present.  

We therefore provide opportunities for our students to become GenAI-literate, while maintaining high academic standards and a consistent, responsible and ethical approach to the use of this technology. 

A University-wide approach 

We have a clear, cohesive and widely-communicated University-wide approach to GenAI, developed and implemented through engagement with our staff and students.

An update to our GenAI policy was approved by our academic governing body Senate in June 2026. Senate is chaired by our Vice-Chancellor, and all University faculties and departments are represented. Senate also approved a specific policy for the use of GenAI in postgraduate research degrees.

Our GenAI policy ensures consistent, responsible and ethical use of GenAI across the four university faculties and departments, while allowing flexibility to tailor approach to academic disciplines and delivery of teaching and learning. 

The policy is sponsored by our Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and its implementation supported by the Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD) through training, guidance and resources. 

GenAI Policy in Learning, Teaching and Assessment  

We will be engaging further with staff and students during academic year 2026/27 to further mature our approach to GenAI across teaching, marking, research and assessment. 

• In teaching, and working within our University-wide policy, our staff can choose whether and how to use GenAI, being open and transparent about this. They must operate ethically and in compliance with GDPR.
• In student assessment, acceptable use of GenAI will depend on the nature and purpose of the assessment.
• Programmes are being updated to ensure that students have a mix of GenAI-secure and GenAI-open assessments.
• All programmes will make use of a range of assessments clearly identified as either:  
  • No GenAI Allowed (including some assessments where AI use is not possible, such as viva);  
  • Selective, where it will be specified how GenAI may be used;  
  • Allowed, where students may choose whether and how to use GenAI;  
  • Embedded, where using GenAI is required. 
• In research, we will ensure that students are appropriately prepared and supported in relation to the use of GenAI, with clear guidance on appropriate use and appropriate acknowledgment and referencing. 

Using GenAI in careers  

Our Careers and Enterprise team, working with academic departments, is pioneering the use of GenAI to support our students and graduates to enhance their skills and employability, and consider the challenges and opportunities of GenAI in the workplace.  

Students can access a suite of resources designed to help them consider the ethics of GenAI, how they are viewed by employers, and pursue successful applications. The vast majority of employers support universities guiding students in AI use, so our resources will help equip Durham students with these skills.  

Our role in leading AI developments  

We are a leading player in the development of AI in the North East of England. Our academic expertise will play a key role in the development and delivery of a North East England AI Growth Zone.  

We have partnered with Microsoft to set up an AI Skills Centre of Excellence which is the first of its kind to help shape the future of AI skills, education, and opportunity. 

The Centre will bring together expertise, tools, and support to help our staff, students, and graduates grow their confidence in using GenAI in a way that is practical, responsible, inclusive, and relevant to pressing world challenges.  

Resources

A collection of DCAD resources that have been developed for University members, and in some cases the wider HE community, and further information on training and support can be found at this link