Can I use AI for my thesis at the University of South Africa?

Dissertation or thesis: the Unisa terms

Unisa uses the two words for different degrees. A dissertation is the research project for a master's degree by dissertation. A thesis is the research product for a doctoral degree. A master's by coursework has a shorter mini-dissertation. This page uses "thesis" in the title because that is how most students search, but the AI rules in the procedures are stated for the dissertation and the thesis alike.

The procedures also say candidates must follow the guidelines of their own college. If you are in a coursework master's, ask your college how the AI declaration applies to a mini-dissertation, since the paragraphs quoted below speak of the dissertation or thesis.

The rule in paragraph 5.70

The core sentence sits under the heading on academic integrity and honesty: “Students may make use of AI for support, but its use must be ethical, transparent and consistent with academic integrity and University policies.” The same paragraph says the entire content of the dissertation or thesis must be your own original work, and that a declaration on AI use belongs in the submission documentation.

The procedures don't list which uses count as support, and they don't set a separate approval step for AI. What they do fix is the disclosure, and the limits in the 7.17 statement. Because the procedures don't spell out which uses count as support, our suggestion is to agree with your supervisor early on what you plan to use AI for, and to keep a note of that conversation.

Where AI comes up, stage by stage

The procedures mention AI at three points in the degree. The fourth row is our suggestion, not a Unisa rule.

The statement that goes with your examination copy

Paragraph 7.17 lists what must accompany the electronic examination copy. The first item is a statement by you as the candidate. It already includes a line that any use of AI has been fully disclosed, and a further paragraph is about AI on its own:

“I further declare that where Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have been used in the preparation of this thesis/dissertation, their use has been limited to ethical permissible support, has been fully disclosed, and does not replace my own original research, my independent critical thinking and analysis, or authorship responsibilities.”

The statement ends with the line that failing to disclose AI use may constitute academic misconduct under Unisa policies. The statement is followed by a condition in brackets: “(The dissertation or thesis will not be examined unless this statement has been included.)”

Language editing is a separate item

Before submission, the supervisor is expected to advise you on the need for language editing, and you arrange and pay for any editing services yourself. Paragraph 7.17 lists a certificate from a professional editor as a separate item, where applicable, and colleges may make it mandatory for their qualifications.

The procedures don't say whether an AI tool that suggests edits to your sentences falls under language editing or under AI use. The safe reading is to declare it as AI use, because the statement covers any AI tool used in preparing the dissertation or thesis. Check with your college if it has its own guidance.

At the doctoral viva voce

Doctoral candidates admitted from 2022 and completing no earlier than 2024 must deliver an oral examination, the viva voce, usually online by video link. The same panel that assesses the thesis also adjudicates the oral examination. The procedures don't set questions about AI for the viva. Since you have declared that AI did not replace your own analysis, our suggestion is to be able to explain, for each declared use, what the tool did and what you decided.

Hypothetical example: one outline, two years later

This example is made up. A doctoral candidate in public administration declares in her research outline that she used an AI tool to find literature for her outline. Two years later she also uses an AI tool to cluster her interview codes. The outline declaration covers the first use only. The second goes into her AI disclosure at submission and is covered by the statement in 7.17. She tells her supervisor before she runs the clustering, so the use is on record well before the examination copy is uploaded.

Before you upload the examination copy

A short check against the procedures. The first item is our reading of "fully disclosed", and the last two are our suggestions.

• Your disclosure covers every AI use, with the tool and what you used it for.
• The statement from 7.17 is included with the electronic examination copy.
• Your college's own guidelines on AI, if it has any, are followed.
• Uses that changed since your research outline are in the disclosure too.
• You can explain each declared use in your own words, in case it comes up at the viva voce.

Esmond under the Unisa procedures

Esmond evaluates every assignment before you submit. It never writes it.

Esmond is an AI tool that doesn't write for you. If your course doesn't allow any AI tools, don't use Esmond for that work. If you're unsure, ask your instructor or advisor.

The procedures don't name feedback tools. The statement in 7.17 covers any AI tool used in preparing the dissertation or thesis, so the safe reading is that AI comments on your draft count as AI use. Mention the use to your supervisor, check your college's guidelines, and include it in your disclosure. The University of South Africa has not reviewed or approved Esmond.

What Esmond gives back is a set of comments on the draft you wrote: factual errors, inconsistencies, and blind spots. Nothing in the report is text for your dissertation or thesis. See how Esmond works and open the sample report to judge whether it fits the support the procedures allow.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my supervisor's approval to use AI at Unisa?

The Procedures for Master's and Doctoral Degrees don't set a separate approval step for AI. They require ethical, transparent use and full disclosure. Your supervisor's consent is needed before you submit for examination (5.30), and your college may have its own guidelines, so check with your college and agree on the use with your supervisor early.

What happens if the AI declaration is missing?

Paragraph 7.17 says the dissertation or thesis will not be examined unless the candidate's statement, which includes the AI disclosure, has been included. Not disclosing AI use may also constitute academic misconduct under Unisa policies.

Is a dissertation the same as a thesis at Unisa?

No. Unisa uses dissertation for a master's degree by dissertation and thesis for a doctoral degree. A coursework master's has a mini-dissertation. The AI rules in the procedures are stated for the dissertation and the thesis.

Do I already declare AI when I apply?

Yes. The research outline you prepare when you apply must include a declaration that it is your own work and that all sources, including AI tools, have been acknowledged and declared.

Further reading

• Thesis vs dissertation: how the terms differ by country
• AI disclosure statement for a thesis: what such a statement usually contains
• University AI policies for theses: other rules compared
• Thesis editing rules at universities: language editing in UNISA's procedures
• Can I use Esmond?: what to check in your course first

Sources

Read on November 7, 2026.

• University of South Africa: Procedures for Master's and Doctoral Degrees (revised by Senate, 22 October 2025)