Maynooth University's Policy on Academic Misconduct and Academic Integrity (version of 28 September 2023) spells out where proofreading stops: help with spelling and grammar may be permissible outside language courses, but a proofreader who changes content, argument or structure is using the work of others. Here is that line, with what department handbooks say about supervision, submission, the oral presentation and ethics, checked 22 October 2026.
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The policy sets out the procedures for academic misconduct in the University's taught programmes, and its definition of plagiarism includes a passage on proofreading: "Note that care must be taken in using external proof-reading services. In courses other than language courses, it may be permissible to have proof reading for spelling and grammar." It continues: "However, if proof reading extends to changing the content, argument, or structure, this is using the work of others and is considered plagiarism."
The principle behind it is stated in one sentence: "The principle is that the content, structure, and argument should be the work of the student."
A fictional example of a commentYour conclusion says the measure works, but your interviews mainly show how staff experience it. Could you limit the conclusion to what your data can show?
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Try the free previewNote the word may. The policy does not promise that spelling and grammar help is always allowed; it says it may be permissible, and it leaves language courses out. Ask your supervisor or module coordinator before anyone corrects your text, and keep the corrected version separate so you can show what changed.
Beyond spelling and grammar, the test is the three words the policy repeats: content, argument, structure. Someone who reorders your sections, sharpens your thesis statement or adds a counter-argument is working on all three. The policy does not name any feedback service: if you are unsure whether a kind of help is allowed for your work, ask your supervisor before you use it. The Department of History adds a step of its own: "On the prescribed cover page, students must confirm that they have proofread the assignment in advance of submission."
The History Postgraduate Handbook 2025-26 says supervisors advise on historiography and may point out weaknesses in language, presentation or layout, and then: "However, they serve pastorally, not as copy editors." MA students receive a supervisor after submitting a project proposal.
The Biology 4th Year Handbook (Double Major, 2026-2027) is just as direct about the final text. Among the responsibilities of students, you have to "understand that it is not within the remit of the supervisor to correct any text prior to submission". You are expected to take full responsibility for researching, writing and editing your own work, in line with the University policy.
For the Biology capstone, submission is set: "All Biology 4th year capstone project dissertations at Maynooth University must be submitted to the online Turnitin Facility on Moodle." A Turnitin self-check is open on your dissertation module's Moodle page during the semester, so you can see an originality report on a draft before the final upload.
There is also a spoken part: "All capstone project modules include a compulsory oral presentation." The audience includes your supervisor, another member of staff and other fourth-year project students, so prepare it as a short account of your question, your method and what you found. If exceptional circumstances get in the way, the handbook lets you request a later submission date through a department form, and the department decides.
The History handbook is explicit: "Note that all PhD, MLitt and MA students require ethical approval when conducting interviews, questionnaires or other interactions with live respondents". Discuss it with your supervisor before you design your interviews or survey, because the approval has to be in place before you start.
The MA Geography Course Handbook 2025-26 describes a thesis research project developed in direct work with a supervisor, and points to a second source of help: "we recommend that all students regularly visit the Maynooth University Academic Writing Support office to work on revising draft papers and theses, and get feedback on their written work." According to that handbook, Academic Writing Support is free and open to every student, undergraduate or postgraduate, with individual appointments and workshops.
Esmond evaluates; it does not write. You upload your own draft and get comments in the margin plus a report that shows where your argument, method or use of sources is weaker, and why. It does not write or rewrite your text: it points to the weak spot and offers guidance on how to revise it. Where a comment includes an example, it illustrates a principle; the sentence you submit is one you write yourself.
Maynooth University has no connection with Esmond and has not endorsed it. Esmond uses language models, so using it counts as AI use. Rules on AI vary by university, programme, module and assignment. Check your module or programme handbook before you upload, and if it is unclear, ask your supervisor or module coordinator and declare the use if your institution asks you to.
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Esmond evaluates your work and writes nothing for you. Each comment points to a passage, explains what a supervisor or examiner might question, and offers guidance on how to revise it. You decide what to change, and every sentence stays yours.
This page summarises published institutional guidance and links to the original sources. It is not legal advice and not a ruling on your assignment: what your programme, module or supervisor sets always comes first.
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The policy says proofreading for spelling and grammar may be permissible in courses other than language courses, and that proofreading which changes content, argument or structure is plagiarism. Ask your supervisor or module coordinator before you use one.
No. The Biology handbook says correcting text before submission is not within the supervisor's remit, and the History handbook says supervisors serve pastorally, not as copy editors.
No. Maynooth University has no link with Esmond and has not endorsed it. Esmond is an AI tool, and Maynooth's student guidelines on GenAI say that where use is not clearly indicated by staff or department guidelines, it is not permitted. Check that first.
Official policy and department handbooks, checked 22 October 2026. Quotations are word for word; the rest is our summary. Read the full text at the source.
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