Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
UK regulator urges more exams as AI threatens university assessments
The Office for Students warned that AI threatens university assessments across England's higher education system.
Students told researchers that classmates can use AI to complete coursework in minutes and still receive similar grades.
The regulator says unsupervised coursework may not show what students know, because AI use in this work cannot be reliably detected.
The concern is that students may not learn the skills their qualifications are meant to represent, while confidence in university degrees could fall.
The OfS wants universities to use more supervised, closed-book exams and other secure assessments, such as presentations and practical tests.
New guidance warns universities could face fines if they allow AI to compromise assessments.
The regulator says it will intervene if institutions fail to provide effective and valid assessments.
The Office for Students called for greater use of supervised, closed-book exams as artificial intelligence threatens the reliability of university assessments.
The regulator described AI as a “generational risk” and issued guidance warning of fines if universities allow it to compromise assessments.
Students told researchers that peers could complete assessments with AI in minutes and receive similar grades.
The report said AI use in unsupervised assessments cannot be reliably detected and may leave scores unable to demonstrate students’ knowledge and skills.
The research was conducted with Advance HE and involved 300 students and staff from more than 120 higher education institutions.
- Who
- The Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in England, issued the guidance. The report also included views from students and staff.
- What
- The regulator called for more secure assessments, including supervised, closed-book exams, to address risks from AI.
- When
- The guidance was published on 11 November 2026.
- Where
- The report concerns universities and higher education institutions in England.
- Why
- The regulator said AI can enable cheating on coursework and undermine students’ learning and institutions’ ability to assess them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers spoke to 300 students and staff from more than 120 higher education institutions.
The Office for Students published its report and new guidance on AI and university assessments.
- Research participants
- 300 students and staff
- Institutions covered
- More than 120 higher education institutions
- Regulator
- Office for Students
- Report partner
- Advance HE
- Proposed assessment methods
- Supervised, closed-book exams; presentations; practical or performance-based assessments
What people are saying
It also presents a generational risk to the system as it stands, threatening to undermine students' learning and institutions' ability to assess them.
We need to see far greater efforts to tackle these risks, including far greater use of AI-free assessment.
I think we're realising that a number of our assessments may be unfit for purpose, and that pervasive use of AI may render our assessment of students close to impossible in some areas.
It is incredibly disconcerting when I plan and write an essay completely by myself, and get the exact same grade as someone who used AI to write it.