All staff and students to have ChatGPT Edu access from this academic year

From the 2025/26 academic year, all staff and students at Oxford will have access to ChatGPT Edu as part of the University’s expanding provision of secure generative AI tools. ChatGPT Edu is an AI tool from OpenAI, designed for use in higher education to assist teaching and learning, research, and administration. It offers enhanced privacy and security, and access to OpenAI’s flagship GPT-5 model.

Adoption of generative AI

AI is rapidly transforming the way we learn, work and live, and there is ongoing debate about the implications of its widespread adoption – including from a social and environmental perspective.

The University’s guidance is under continuous review, in response to rapid changes in the digital landscape and our growing understanding of how AI is being utilised within the institution. The provision of inclusive access to secure generative AI tools is part of the University’s commitment to managing the challenges and embracing the opportunities that increasing adoption brings, by encouraging safe and responsible use, supported by training and guidance.

Professor Anne Trefethen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Digital), said: ‘As part of the University’s ongoing collaboration with OpenAI and our expanding provision of AI tools, we are providing inclusive access to ChatGPT Edu. We know that significant numbers of staff and students are already using generative AI tools. Through robust governance, training, guidance and support, we are encouraging safe and responsible use within a secure environment.’

Guidance and inspiration

Oxford is the first UK university to provide free ChatGPT Edu access to all students and staff. This follows a year-long pilot of ChatGPT Edu with 750 members of staff, coordinated by the AI Competency Centre. Findings from that pilot showed how tools such as ChatGPT Edu can be used to overwhelmingly positive effect in operations, research and education. You can read case studies of how colleagues across the University have been using ChatGPT Edu on the Generative AI at Oxford website, along with guidance on using these tools, including from an information security perspective, and in research, communications, summative assessments and study.

Following that pilot, the Competency Centre also established the AI Ambassadors network, which now includes over 100 colleagues from across divisions and colleges, to support the dissemination of AI literacy across the institution.

It is important that all students follow any advice and guidance from tutors or supervisors, department/faculties, and colleges, on generative AI in the context of their specific area of study.

Training and support

During the rollout of ChatGPT Edu, the AI Competency Centre will be involved in the upskilling of staff and students across the collegiate University through a new introductory training offering in collaboration with Digital Capabilities and the Digital Innovation team. Centre staff have also curated guides and resources for supported AI tools and different use cases in the University.

The OpenAI Academy also offers free training in getting started with ChatGPT Edu (see Webinars 101 and 102).

All staff are encouraged to refresh the mandatory information security and data protection training, which now includes a section on use of AI.

You can find out more about Generative AI at Oxford on the University website. If you have any questions, please refer to these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for staff or for students, or use this feedback form if you would like further support.