PGR Thesis Declaration Statement
A thesis declaration statement that includes the use of AI must be included in every postgraduate research thesis submitted for examination.
The statement that appears in UL regulations Chapter 5 Appendix 2 Section 2.3 paraphrases what should be included in such a declaration.
The research supervisors and the postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are best placed to determine the specific wording of a declaration statement that suits their requirements with respect to the postgraduate research undertaken.
The specific wording is therefore the responsibility of the research supervisors and the PGR.
As approved by Academic Regulations Committee on 20 May 2026 and subsequently ratified by Academic Council in May/ June 2026. Details correct as of September 2026.
Here two examples of suggested wording which can be amended to suit your requirements.
Example 1
I declare that I have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the work presented in this Master’s by Research or PhD (delete as appropriate) thesis is my own original work and has not been previously submitted at any other academic institution, or for any other academic award at University of Limerick.
I confirm that the research and any data presented within this thesis has been conducted in full compliance with the University’s Research Integrity Policy and that any use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has been appropriately identified, declared, and used in accordance with applicable ethical and academic standards.
I further declare that this thesis does not infringe copyright law and any material drawn from the work of others has been used only to the extent permitted by law and has been fully acknowledged, correctly cited, and referenced.
Name: ______________________
Signed: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Example 2
I hereby declare that this Master’s by Research or PhD (use as appropriate) thesis represents my own original work, has not been previously submitted in fulfilment of a Master’s by Research or PhD (use as appropriate) degree to University of Limerick or any other academic institution.
All sources of information, ideas, data, images, software, and other materials have been fully acknowledged through appropriate citation and referencing. I confirm that the research reported in this thesis has been conducted in accordance with the principles of honesty, rigour, transparency, accountability, and respect that underpin responsible research practice.
All data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting were undertaken in compliance with the University’s ethical and regulatory requirements. Where Generative AI tools were engaged with during the development of this thesis, their use was limited to approved support functions and was undertaken in a transparent and responsible manner. Such use has been appropriately declared.
I acknowledge that Generative AI systems can produce biased, fabricated, or inaccurate content and therefore confirm that I independently reviewed, validated, and accept responsibility for all data results and research material included in this thesis.
I declare that this thesis is free from plagiarism and that it does not knowingly infringe copyright, intellectual property, or other legal rights.
Name: ______________________
Signed: _____________________
Date: ______________________
Contact: 
