{"id":22396,"date":"2026-08-22T15:25:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/blackboardhelp\/?page_id=22396"},"modified":"2026-08-22T15:27:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:27:00","slug":"moving-from-turnitin-to-blackboard-assignment-frequently-asked-questions-for-academic-colleagues","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/blackboardhelp\/moving-from-turnitin-to-blackboard-assignment-frequently-asked-questions-for-academic-colleagues\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving from Turnitin to Blackboard Assignment \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions for Academic Colleagues"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\r\n \r\n ← Back to Supporting Changes in Digital Learning and AI\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n \r\n For colleagues\r\n <\/span>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

\r\n Last updated:<\/strong> August 2026\r\n <\/p>\r\n

\r\n Contact:<\/strong>\r\n \r\n blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

Decision and Rationale<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Why are we phasing out Turnitin?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n The move to Blackboard Assignment will provide a single submission and marking system\r\n within Blackboard, reducing the need to manage separate assessment workflows across\r\n different platforms. In addition, Blackboard Assignment provides functionality that\r\n Turnitin does not. Please\r\n \r\n see this page\r\n <\/a>\r\n for a comparison of Turnitin and Blackboard Assignment features.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Were colleagues consulted on this decision?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Before the decision was made, the University consulted academic colleagues through a\r\n questionnaire and then discussions with Heads of School, Associate Heads of College,\r\n and Directors of Learning, Teaching and Quality, as well as the University's Teaching\r\n Committee. Feedback from these activities helped shape how the transition is being\r\n planned and supported, including the approach to rubrics, feedback workflows,\r\n originality checking, and support for colleagues moving to Blackboard Assignment.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Is this decision final?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. The University Executive Board (UEB) has approved the decision not to renew the\r\n Turnitin contract. The focus is now on supporting colleagues through the transition\r\n to Blackboard Assignment.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Timeline<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n When will Turnitin submissions end?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Turnitin submission links cannot be created after the end of Semester 1 2026\/27.\r\n From Semester 2 2026\/27, all new assignments must be set up and submitted through\r\n Blackboard Assignment. The Turnitin contract expires on 31 July 2027. At the close\r\n of the contract, Turnitin are not able to provide us with feedback entered on student\r\n submissions. Accordingly, the LIDE Team will download and archive Turnitin submissions\r\n from Semester 1 of 2026\/27 and the previous 8 academic years. There would not be time\r\n to archive the Turnitin submissions from Semester 2 2026\/27 before the contract with\r\n Turnitin terminates.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Does this affect the current academic year (2026\/27)?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. Turnitin will remain available during Semester 1 2026\/27, but colleagues should\r\n prepare to move to Blackboard Assignment from Semester 2 2026\/27.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n When can I start using Blackboard Assignment?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n With immediate effect for Semester 1 2026\/27, if you wish. From Semester 2 2026\/27,\r\n modules will only be able to use Blackboard Assignment for new assignments. The LIDE\r\n team will support colleagues with setting up submission links for Semester 2 before\r\n and during Semester 1 2026\/27. After the end of Semester 2, it will not be possible\r\n to create working Turnitin submission links.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Blackboard Assignment and SafeAssign<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What is Blackboard Assignment?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
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\r\n Blackboard Assignment is the submission and feedback tool built into Blackboard.\r\n Many colleagues already use it in some of their modules. It allows students to\r\n submit work and enables markers to provide inline feedback, annotated comments,\r\n rubric-based grading, and overall written feedback, all in one place.\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n From the start of the 2026\/27 academic year, Blackboard Assignment will also include\r\n an\r\n \r\n AI-assisted feedback tool\r\n <\/a>.\r\n After reviewing a student's submission and selecting the relevant rubric level for\r\n each marking criterion, colleagues can use the tool to generate draft feedback for\r\n students based on those rubric selections. The AI does not analyse or read the\r\n student's submission directly.\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n What is SafeAssign?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n \r\n SafeAssign\r\n <\/a>\r\n is Blackboard's built-in originality checking tool. It compares submitted work against\r\n internet content, published material, and a global database of student submissions to\r\n produce a similarity report that supports academic judgement when reviewing potential\r\n text matches. SafeAssign is enabled through a Blackboard Assignment submission point.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n How does SafeAssign differ from Turnitin?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Both tools generate similarity reports that can support academic judgement when reviewing\r\n potential academic integrity concerns. However, SafeAssign and Turnitin use different\r\n databases and approaches to originality checking, so the reports they produce are not\r\n identical. The LIDE team can provide guidance on interpreting SafeAssign reports. If you\r\n wish help with this please email\r\n \r\n blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk\r\n <\/a>.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Does SafeAssign detect AI-generated content?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n No. Like Turnitin at Westminster, SafeAssign does not include an AI writing detection\r\n feature. The University's approach to academic integrity in the context of AI does not\r\n rely on automated detection. AI detection tools have limitations regarding accuracy and\r\n fairness. Instead, the University provides an authorship tool through Grammarly that\r\n students can use to demonstrate authorship and support the development of their written work.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Can I still provide in-text feedback?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. Blackboard's inline grading tool (Bb Annotate) supports in-text comments,\r\n highlighting, annotations, and drawing tools directly on student submissions, as well\r\n as an overall feedback area and rubric grading. It works with the most common file\r\n types, including Word, PDF, and PowerPoint.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Does Blackboard Assignment support rubrics?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. Blackboard has a full rubric builder that supports percentage, point, and\r\n range-based rubrics. Rubrics can be attached to any Blackboard Assignment submission\r\n point and used during marking.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Rubrics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What happens to my existing Turnitin rubrics?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Your existing Turnitin rubrics will need to be recreated in Blackboard. By early\r\n September, there will be a tool in Blackboard that academic colleagues can use to\r\n convert Turnitin rubric files into Blackboard Assignment Rubrics. Look out for email\r\n communications about this tool in the near future. If you need support please contact\r\n the LIDE team via\r\n \r\n blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk\r\n <\/a>.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n I have a large number of rubrics. Will the LIDE team help me?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. The LIDE team will work directly with colleagues who have a high volume of rubrics\r\n or particularly complex ones. If you are in this position, please get in touch as soon as\r\n possible so we can plan your support. Contact:\r\n \r\n blackboard-support@westminster.ac.uk\r\n <\/a>.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Will I lose my rubrics when Turnitin is switched off?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n You will lose access to Turnitin and, therefore, to your rubrics as they exist there.\r\n This is why the migration work needs to happen well before the contract ends. The LIDE\r\n team will be in touch proactively to help you prioritise and migrate your rubrics in good time.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

QuickMarks and Feedback Tools<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What replaces QuickMarks?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Blackboard's inline grading tool does not have a direct equivalent to Turnitin's\r\n QuickMark sets. However, it does support custom comment banks - a set of reusable\r\n feedback comments you can save and insert with a click. The LIDE team will provide\r\n guidance on setting these up and transferring commonly used feedback phrases from Turnitin.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Can I still give feedback directly on the student's document?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Yes. Bb Annotate allows you to add typed comments, sticky notes, highlights,\r\n strikethroughs, and freehand annotations directly on submitted documents, in a similar\r\n way to Turnitin's document viewer.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Past Student Work and Records<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What happens to work that students have already submitted through Turnitin?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n The Office for Students (OfS) requires universities to retain student coursework for\r\n up to nine years. Before the contract ends, we will archive submitted work and associated\r\n feedback needed to fulfil the OfS requirements up to and including Semester 1 2026\/27.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n Will students be able to access their past Turnitin submissions after the contract ends?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n Once the contract ends, students will no longer be able to log in to Turnitin to access\r\n previous submissions or feedback. We will communicate this to students in advance and\r\n advise them to download anything they wish to keep before the contract ends.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What about live academic misconduct cases?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n If you have a live misconduct case involving Turnitin originality reports or submission\r\n records, please flag it to the LIDE team and the Registry as soon as possible. We will\r\n ensure that relevant records are preserved before the contract ends.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Calendar-Year and Masters Programmes<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n I run a Master's programme that goes from January to December. Does the contract end date cause problems?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n We are very aware of this. The LIDE team will proactively contact module leaders on\r\n calendar-year master's programmes to migrate submission links and rubrics before the\r\n contract ends, so that the transition does not fall mid-programme in a disruptive way.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n My programme has a dissertation submission deadline of September 2027 or later. What happens?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n If your students submit after February 2027, those submissions will need to be submitted\r\n through Blackboard Assignments.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/details>\r\n\r\n

Training and Support<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n What training will be available?\r\n <\/summary>\r\n
\r\n

\r\n From September 2026, the LIDE team will run:\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n