Written By: Alessandra Giugliano

Generative AI tools for students in higher education have become deeply embedded in university learning, and students across disciplines are adapting fast. The 2025 Student Generative AI Survey, published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), reveals how students like you are using AI to study smarter, work faster, and improve academic outcomes. This blog breaks down the key findings and offers practical guidance on how to use AI tools for students in higher education responsibly, ethically, and effectively.

New HEPI Survey Reveals Dramatic Rise in Student AI Usage

In just one year, student AI usage statistics have skyrocketed—especially across UK universities. According to the 2025 HEPI Student Generative AI Survey (conducted in partnership with UK-based Kortext) 92% of full-time undergraduate students in the UK now use AI tools in some aspect of their academic work, up from 66% in 2024. This surge confirms that generative AI in education is no longer a niche interest but a mainstream academic resource shaping the student experience across the UK higher education sector.

Students like you are increasingly turning to tools such as ChatGPT, thesify, or Grammarly to summarize dense readings, explain difficult concepts, and generate new ideas for assignments. These AI tools for university students are helping many save time and feel more confident in their work. But alongside the benefits, the survey also reveals ongoing concerns around academic integrity and AI, ethical usage boundaries, and unequal access to AI resources across student populations.

This article unpacks the survey’s most important insights and turns them into actionable takeaways. You’ll find guidance on using AI tools for students in higher education responsibly, improving your digital literacy, and understanding how university policies may affect your day-to-day choices.

 → Explore ethical uses of AI for your university studies

2025 Survey Findings on AI Use in Higher Education: How Students Use Generative AI Tools

The HEPI survey provided detailed insights into precisely how UK students employ generative AI. The most significant increase was observed in AI usage for assessment preparation, rising from 53% of students in 2024 to 88% in 2025. Such growth reflects generative AI's growing relevance in core academic tasks, not just supplementary activities.

Key uses reported by students include:

• Explaining Concepts (58% usage): AI platforms are frequently used to simplify and clarify challenging academic concepts, offering students immediate, accessible explanations when professors or peers aren’t readily available (HEPI, 2025).

• Summarizing Articles and Textbooks: Now the second most popular use-case, summarizing has seen significant growth. AI tools assist students in condensing lengthy, complex readings into digestible summaries, streamlining study sessions and enabling more focused analysis (HEPI, 2025).

• Generating Ideas for Research: Students also leverage generative AI to brainstorm and refine initial research ideas, suggesting AI’s utility not just in routine tasks, but as an active collaborator in the creative and intellectual process of academic exploration (HEPI, 2025).
  
  

Perhaps most notably, 18% of students admitted to directly incorporating AI-generated text into their assignments, an area of particular ethical ambiguity. This figure underlines the critical need for clear university guidelines on ethical AI usage. While leveraging AI to enhance understanding is widely viewed as beneficial, the boundary between helpful support and academic misconduct remains uncertain for many students.

To navigate this complex landscape effectively, students need clear, transparent policies from institutions, combined with practical guidance and skill development resources to use generative AI tools responsibly and ethically.

How AI Tools for Students Enhance Your Learning and Productivity 

If you're like most university students, you're always seeking ways to improve your study efficiency and assignment quality. The 2025 HEPI survey shows clearly that UK students embrace AI tools primarily to save time (51%) and enhance assignment quality (50%).

AI tools in higher education are increasingly being used to simplify complex readings, brainstorm new ideas, or provide writing feedback—often acting as study aids outside conventional class hours. Nearly one-third (29%) of your peers now rely on these tools for personalized support when tutors or peers aren’t available.

Some tools align especially well with established learning strategies, offering real-time feedback that helps you think more clearly and communicate more effectively. For instance, thesify’s AI Writing Assistant is designed specifically for academic writing. Rather than generating full answers or replacing your own work, it offers targeted suggestions to help clarify your explanations, strengthen your arguments, and improve structure. This kind of AI assistance encourages deeper engagement with your ideas—similar to what you might expect from a writing tutor.

When used critically and ethically, these tools can become reliable learning companions, helping you work more efficiently while continuing to build essential academic skills.

→Discover how to ethically improve your essays using AI 

Academic Integrity and AI: Student Concerns About Ethical AI Use and Accuracy

Despite recognizing AI’s significant advantages, students also voice clear concerns regarding ethical usage and reliability. According to HEPI's findings, the primary hesitation around AI use among UK students is the fear of academic misconduct accusations, with 53% concerned about being accused of cheating. This concern is not unwarranted; as generative AI becomes more sophisticated, institutions are becoming vigilant, using various methods to detect improper use.

A related worry, shared by 51% of students, centers on the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content—often described as "hallucinations"—where AI tools occasionally generate misleading or outright incorrect information. Women students notably express greater apprehension around these issues compared to their male counterparts, underscoring varying comfort levels and confidence in navigating AI’s ethical complexities.

These findings reflect a growing tension: while AI can significantly improve your academic workflow, it also raises serious questions about what counts as fair use. Many students, perhaps including you, are navigating this space without clear guidance. That’s why developing a strong foundation for ethical AI use in higher education is more important than ever.

To help you use AI tools responsibly and confidently in your studies, here are four key practices to follow:

1. Approach generative AI outputs with healthy skepticism. Treat it as a starting point, not a finished product.

2. Always cross-checking facts against credible sources. AI can assist with speed, but accuracy requires human judgment.

3. Carefully aligning your AI usage with explicit university guidelines on AI. Most institutions now provide clear guidance on what is and isn’t acceptable.

4. Have a thorough understanding of institutional AI policies. This is critical for confidently leveraging AI tools without fear of inadvertently breaching academic integrity standards.

By taking these steps, you’ll reduce the risk of academic misconduct and build essential digital literacy skills that will serve you well throughout your academic and professional life.

→Read our full guide on using AI in university assignments without risking plagiarism 

Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring You Have Equal Access to AI Tools and Training

One of the most important—and concerning—findings in the 2025 HEPI Student AI Survey is the widening digital divide in generative AI use across higher education. UK Students from STEM fields, wealthier backgrounds, and those identifying as male are more likely to use AI tools confidently and frequently. In contrast, students from lower-income households, Arts and Humanities disciplines, and women students report significantly lower usage and comfort levels.

This divide isn’t just about tool access, it’s about future readiness. As AI tools for students in higher education become essential to coursework, research, and even post-graduate opportunities, unequal engagement creates a real risk that some students will be left behind.

If you recognize yourself on the less-experienced side of this divide, the good news is that you can take action. Closing this gap starts with building your digital literacy skills and ensuring you have the right support to engage with generative AI in education confidently and ethically.

Here are three practical ways to start:

1. Seek out AI training resources. Only 36% of students say they’ve received formal training, even though 67% believe mastering AI is essential for future success. Start with workshops, online courses, or student-led groups.
   
   
   

2. Advocate for more institutional support. 53% of students want universities to provide approved AI tools—but only 26% say they actually do. You're not alone in asking for better resources.

3. Build your skills independently using ethical academic tools like thesify’s AI Writing Assistant, which helps refine your writing, gives feedback in real time, and promotes responsible, transparent AI use.

As AI becomes a core part of academic success, taking initiative now ensures you're equipped for both university and your future career.

University AI Policies and Student Support: Navigating Institutional Guidelines Effectively

The 2025 HEPI survey provides critical insights into how UK higher education institutions are adapting to generative AI's rapid adoption among students. It reveals important findings regarding university policy clarity, AI detection capabilities, and educational support gaps. Understanding your university’s approach can empower you to leverage generative AI responsibly and effectively.

University Policies on Generative AI: Clear Guidelines but Mixed Messages for Students

A promising finding from the HEPI 2025 survey is that 80% of UK students now report their university has a clearly defined policy regarding the use of generative AI in assessments—this represents substantial progress from the previous year. Clear institutional guidelines are essential, as they directly influence how comfortably students integrate generative AI tools into their academic workflow.

However, the survey also highlights a significant contradiction: nearly one-third (31%) of students indicate their institutions either actively discourage or explicitly ban the use of generative AI tools. In contrast, fewer than one-third feel positively encouraged to use these technologies for learning. This inconsistency creates confusion and ambiguity, especially when guidance varies significantly between courses or even individual professors.

If you're unsure how to use generative AI tools ethically at your institution, here’s a simple checklist to follow:

Student Checklist: How to Navigate Your University’s AI Policy

1. Read your university’s official AI policy.
   Start with the student handbook, assessment guidelines, or digital tools policy page. If the policy isn’t clear, email your academic advisor or department head to ask for clarification.

2. Check for course-specific rules.
   Even if your university permits AI tools broadly, individual instructors may have different expectations. Review your syllabus or ask directly in class to avoid accidental violations.

3. Understand your institution’s honor code.
   Plagiarism policies often include rules about using generative AI. Learn how your school defines academic misconduct so you can avoid unintentional issues.

4. Ask questions if you’re unsure.
   Don’t guess. If the acceptable use of AI tools is unclear, seek written confirmation from your professor. This protects you and shows academic responsibility.

5. Use AI tools transparently and ethically.
   When allowed, use AI tools to support, not replace, your learning. For example, summarize readings, generate study questions, or clarify concepts, then build on that output yourself.

Following this checklist ensures that you can take advantage of generative AI in education without risking academic misconduct. Clarity leads to confidence, and using AI responsibly is a key part of building the digital literacy skills you’ll need now and in the future.

→ Learn more about ethical use policies and how thesify supports students with transparent AI writing assistance 

High Confidence in University AI Detection Systems Highlights Importance of Academic Integrity 

According to the HEPI 2025 survey, UK students are increasingly confident that their universities possess effective tools or methods to detect AI-generated content. Specifically, 76% of students now believe their institution could identify AI-generated work, a notable increase from 65% reported in 2024. This growing confidence indicates that many institutions have adopted or strengthened anti-cheating technologies and methods in response to widespread AI usage.

For students, this underscores a crucial reality: attempting to misuse generative AI tools—such as submitting AI-generated content as original work—carries significant academic risks. Detection mechanisms, including sophisticated plagiarism detection software, are widely implemented across institutions, and their effectiveness continues to improve.

However, it’s equally important to recognize that these AI-detection systems remain imperfect. The HEPI report itself acknowledges ongoing issues with "false positives," instances where original student-written content may mistakenly be flagged as AI-generated. 

Therefore, the wisest approach is transparency and honesty. Rather than trying to circumvent detection systems, focus on leveraging generative AI ethically and openly—always within your institution’s established guidelines. This practice not only preserves academic integrity but cultivates essential skills in critically evaluating AI-generated outputs.

What These Findings Mean for Students: Practical Takeaways from the AI Survey Results 

The comprehensive insights provided by the HEPI 2025 Student AI Survey highlight clear implications for your educational journey. From ethical considerations to skill-building opportunities, these survey findings offer actionable guidance on leveraging generative AI tools effectively and responsibly within higher education.

Embracing AI in Education Responsibly: Aid Your Studies Without Compromising Integrity 

Generative AI tools in higher education present undeniable opportunities to strengthen your learning experience, provided you navigate their use ethically and thoughtfully. As emphasized by the HEPI report, AI usage in higher education is now “inevitable and often beneficial”. 

Using AI tools to support your studies—for instance, getting instant feedback on essay drafts, clarifying complex material, or summarizing challenging academic texts—can significantly enhance your critical thinking and overall academic performance.

But using AI ethically is essential. Only 25% of UK students believe it's acceptable to include edited AI-generated text in final assignments, though that number is rising from just 17% in 2024. That means most students—and universities—still see clear boundaries between assistance and misconduct.

To make sure you stay on the right side of academic integrity and AI use, follow this simple checklist:

Responsible AI Use: How to Use Generative AI Ethically in Your Studies 

1. Check your university's AI policy.
   Before using any AI tools for assignments, make sure you understand what's allowed. Policies can vary by course or instructor.

2. Use AI for idea generation, not final answers.
   AI can help you brainstorm, create outlines, or rephrase tricky concepts—but don’t submit content without rewriting and adding your own analysis.

3. Summarize or clarify, then verify.
   AI tools are great for evaluating and simplifying difficult readings, but always double-check the information against trusted academic sources.

4. Avoid copy-pasting AI output.
   Even if you've rewritten or edited the content, copying and pasting AI outputs into assignments can still raise flags with detection tools or violate plagiarism policies. Always prioritize your own voice and critical thinking when incorporating AI into your workflow.

5. Choose AI tools that support learning, not shortcuts.

Ethical AI academic tools help you revise your own writing rather than generating new content for you to submit. For example, feedback platforms like thesify can highlight where your evidence or argumentation needs work based on what you've already written. In the example below, the AI points out a missing counterargument and recommends stronger citation use, supporting academic integrity by guiding revision rather than doing the writing for you:

This kind of feedback, similar to what you might receive from a professor or teaching assistant,  supports ethical AI use by reinforcing your own thinking and skills development, without creating content you’d need to reword or cite.

Improving Your Digital Literacy Skills: Practical Strategies for Building Essential AI Competency 

The HEPI 2025 survey clearly indicates that developing strong AI skills is becoming crucial for your success—both academically and in future career opportunities. According to the report, 67% of UK students now consider AI literacy essential, yet only 36% have received formal institutional support to build these competencies. This gap highlights an urgent need for proactive learning strategies to ensure you aren't left behind as generative AI becomes mainstream in education and employment.

The HEPI report notes that students from different fields and backgrounds are not equally equipped with AI skills. For example, students in STEM programs are more likely to experiment with advanced AI use, while others may stick to basic applications or avoid AI entirely due to lack of training or confidence. 

This skills gap can carry over into the job market, where employers increasingly value applicants with AI fluency, especially in research, communication, and data handling. Understanding how generative AI tools work—and how to use them transparently and critically—is now a core part of digital literacy in higher education

Here’s a clear, practical checklist to start actively developing your digital literacy and AI skills today:

Checklist: How to Build Your AI and Digital Literacy Skills 

1. Master advanced AI prompting techniques:
   Learn how to create clear, specific prompts to generate high-quality AI outputs that enhance your research and writing processes.

2. Verify AI-generated information carefully:
   Improve your critical thinking and data validation skills by always cross-checking AI outputs against credible academic sources.

3. Practice interpreting AI feedback effectively:
   Enhance your ability to interpret, assess, and incorporate AI-driven feedback into your work, ensuring the output aligns with your assignment goals.

4. Engage with AI-driven writing tools like thesify:
   Use academic-oriented AI tools that provide immediate, detailed feedback to sharpen your analytical writing skills and ensure responsible usage.
   
   

For instance, thesify's AI Writing Assistant clearly assesses the quality of your thesis statements and arguments in real time, allowing you to better understand how your work aligns with academic expectations:

5. Share insights and strategies with peers:
   Actively join student forums or create study groups dedicated to responsible AI usage, promoting a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
   
   

By taking these actionable steps, you can work to bridge the digital skills gap identified by the HEPI survey and position yourself for greater academic success and employability in an increasingly AI-driven world.

→Explore thesify's AI Writing Assistant to start developing your digital literacy skills today 

Advocating for Better AI Support at Your University: What You Can Do

While digital literacy is growing in importance, support from universities still lags behind. According to the survey, 53% of UK students want their universities to provide AI tools, but just 26% say this is happening. Rather than waiting passively, you can help bridge this gap by taking proactive steps to push for structured policies and access to responsible AI resources

Here are four actionable ways you can help push for more responsible, equitable AI use in higher education:

1. Ask for Clearer AI Guidelines

Many students report receiving mixed messages about what counts as ethical AI use. Don’t hesitate to email your professors or academic advisors directly. Ask them to clarify their policies on tools like ChatGPT or AI writing assistants, especially when it comes to assessments. Clear communication can prevent unintentional academic misconduct.

2. Raise the Need for AI Literacy Training

If your university isn’t offering training on how to use AI tools productively and ethically, speak up. Students from all academic backgrounds deserve access to digital literacy support. Use opportunities like student council meetings, class discussions, or academic surveys to raise the topic.

3. Push for Access to Approved Tools

Universities can, and should, make ethical, skill-building AI tools available to students. This includes platforms that help you write better, not just faster. When advocating for this kind of support, focus on how AI tools can reinforce learning and academic integrity when used transparently.

4. Show What Ethical AI Use Looks Like

You don’t have to just tell your university you’re using AI responsibly—you can show them. For example, thesify’s AI Writing Assistant offers downloadable feedback reports that break down your writing into academic criteria like thesis clarity, argument strength, and structural coherence. Sharing one of these reports with an instructor or academic advisor can demonstrate that you're using AI to build skills, not to cut corners.

By taking these steps, you can help create an academic environment where AI tools for students in higher education are supported, understood, and ethically integrated into coursework. Advocacy entails showing the value of tools that truly support your learning.

Conclusion: Generative AI in Higher Education—Key Insights from the 2025 Student AI Survey 

The findings from the 2025 HEPI Student AI Survey clearly illustrate a transformative shift in the academic landscape. In just one year, UK student usage of generative AI in education has soared dramatically—from roughly two-thirds (66%) to nearly universal adoption among students (92%). This rapid growth indicates that generative AI tools for students in higher education are not simply passing trends, but integral components of modern academic life.

For students, the widespread adoption of generative AI tools provides significant opportunities. These technologies can help students learn more efficiently, personalize their study routines, and elevate their academic performance. As the survey author highlights, integrating AI into higher education is inevitable. Students who embrace AI effectively can increase productivity, whereas those who neglect developing their digital literacy skills risk being left behind academically and professionally.

However, embracing AI tools responsibly is crucial. Ethical AI use for students involves clearly understanding and strictly adhering to your institution’s academic integrity guidelines. Rather than replacing your original thinking, generative AI should complement and enrich your own intellectual efforts. Using these tools strategically, such as generating summaries, clarifying complex topics, or providing preliminary feedback on assignments, can lead to better learning outcomes and deeper mastery of course material.

Equally important is actively improving your digital literacy and AI skills. As AI evolves further in the coming years, students who proactively develop competencies in these tools will be best positioned to succeed. Students should not hesitate to advocate for more structured institutional support, clearer guidelines, and equitable access to approved generative AI tools, transforming potential barriers into opportunities for inclusive learning.

Looking forward, it’s clear today’s university students stand on the front lines of an ongoing AI revolution. By thoughtfully incorporating generative AI into your studies, you can transform these powerful technologies into long-term academic and professional assets.

FAQ: Using Generative AI Tools in Higher Education—Common Student Questions 

Q: Is using generative AI considered cheating in university?
A: Not necessarily. According to the HEPI survey (2025), ethical AI use for students typically includes using AI to summarize readings, clarify concepts, or draft initial ideas. Directly submitting unedited AI-generated text, however, is considered plagiarism.

Q: How can I build digital literacy skills if my university doesn't offer AI training?
A: You can independently improve your digital literacy skills through online courses, educational forums, and by using ethical, academically-focused AI tools such as thesify’s AI Writing Assistant.

Q: Why should I advocate for clearer AI policies and support from my university?
A: Clearer policies and better support help ensure you understand what's acceptable, provide equitable access to resources, and allow you to ethically maximize the academic benefits of generative AI.

Ready to Boost Your Grades Ethically With AI? 

thesify’s AI Writing Assistant is designed specifically for university students like you. Get instant feedback, improve your writing skills, and learn to use AI transparently and ethically in your academic work.

→ Explore thesify’s AI Writing Assistant now and take your academic performance to the next level.

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