- For students
- What is Turnitin?
- How do I use Turnitin?
- Can I submit more than once?
- What is a similarity report?
- Important information
- Help and guidance
- For researchers
- For staff
For students
What is Turnitin?
Turnitin is the University's approved text matching software. It compares your work against a large database of sources, including
websites, publications and previously submitted assignments, to identify matching text.
Turnitin helps you develop your academic writing and use sources correctly. It also helps tutors assess the originality of submitted work.
How do I use Turnitin?
Most written assignments submitted through Canvas will be checked using Turnitin.
You can access Turnitin through the assignment area of your module site in Canvas.
Some modules may provide a separate draft submission area, while others will allow you to check your work through the main assignment submission point.
Where Turnitin is not appropriate for a particular assessment, your module team will let you know.
Can I submit more than once?
Yes. You can submit your work multiple times before the assignment deadline and review your similarity report each time.
The final submission shown in Canvas will be the version available to markers.
What is a similarity report?
A similarity report highlights text in your work that matches other sources. It can help you:
- identify where sources need referencing
- improve paraphrasing and citation
- check your use of quotations
- strengthen academic writing
A similarity score does not automatically mean plagiarism. Tutors review reports alongside your work when assessing academic integrity.
Important information
- You should only submit your own work through Turnitin.
- Submitting work created by another student may result in disciplinary action.
- Leave enough time before the deadline to review your similarity report and make any changes you need.
- Make sure you submit your final version to the correct assignment submission point in Canvas.
Help and guidance
- Guide to using Turnitin
- Watch a video on submitting assignments and viewing reports
- Turnitin UK tutorial: Viewing an Originality Report
- Academic Skills guidance on academic writing and referencing
- Additional help with checking your work in Turnitin text matching software is available on Library SkillUP.
For researchers
Researchers can use many of the same Turnitin resources as students. Additional guidance is available on the Turnitin for researchers page.
For staff
Staff guidance is available on: