Oxford University has become the first UK institution of its kind to give all students and staff access to a special education-focused version of ChatGPT.
The platform, called ChatGPT Edu, was developed by OpenAI specifically for universities. Oxford’s decision to roll it out comes after a year-long trial that involved around 750 students, academics, and staff across different colleges and departments.
This launch is part of a five-year partnership between Oxford and OpenAI, first announced in March.
Professor Anne Trefethen, Oxford’s pro-vice-chancellor for digital, called the move “an exciting step” in the university’s digital transformation.
“There is huge potential here—to accelerate curiosity-driven research, spark innovation, and even tackle global challenges,” she said. “For students, ChatGPT Edu will be a flexible study companion, helping them personalize and enrich their learning.”
Unlike the public version, ChatGPT Edu is built with universities in mind. It comes with stronger privacy and security protections, ensuring that institutions keep control of their data.
Jayna Devani, OpenAI’s international education lead, praised Oxford’s approach, saying the rollout “sets a new standard for how AI can enrich higher education.”
She added:“ By giving everyone access, Oxford is equipping its community with the tools and training they need to thrive in the AI era.”
Alongside the software, Oxford will provide training sessions to guide students and staff on how to use ChatGPT responsibly. The focus, the university says, will be on ethical use, critical thinking, and responsible application.