Turnitin update 2026

What is happening?

Turnitin, UQ's widely used assessment tool for online assignment submission, marking and feedback, will receive a major vendor update in 2026. The update introduces several new features and workflow improvements designed to make assessment setup, marking, and feedback more efficient.

The new version includes an enhanced Similarity Report, mark range rubrics, decimal totals, individual student extensions, and improved overall workflows for managing submissions.

What do I need to do?

1. Delete and recreate any Turnitin submission links copied over from previous semesters.

2. Import your Classic Turnitin rubrics into the new Turnitin.

3. Review your rubrics: consider converting weighted (non-range) rubrics to weighted range rubrics.

4. Import your Classic  Turnitin QuickMarks into the new Turnitin. 

5. Tidy your rubric list: archive old rubrics and star the ones you’re currently using.

6. Check link settings: make sure students can submit successfully by not setting the submission link to open in a new window.

7. Tell students what’s changing, including updates to the submission process and the Similarity Report.

Note: Functionality to add an audio summary comment, filter the Turnitin submission list by Blackboard groups and peer assessment are not currently available.

Note: Comments include the markers name and a time/date stamp which is displayed to both staff and students.

When is it happening?

Opt-in from Summer Semester 2025

From 24 November 2025, course coordinators will be able to opt in to use the new version of Turnitin in their Summer Semester 2025 courses.

Staff who choose to participate in the early adopters program will receive dedicated one-on-one support and the opportunity to provide feedback to help shape the University-wide rollout. To nominate, please email elearningadvisers@uq.edu.au.

UQ-wide rollout in Semester 1 2026

The updated Turnitin tool will become the default version for all Semester 1 2026 courses from 27 January 2026.

Summer Semester 2025 assignments that were created using Turnitin Classic, the previous version will remain accessible for submission and marking to ensure continuity during the transition.

What support is available?

Workshops

Workshops on the update version of Turnitin will be delivered (via Zoom) November 2025 - February 2026.

An update version of the Turnitin self-paced online workshop will be published April 2026.

Guides

Staff Turnitin guides will be updated on 27 January 2026 in preparation for Semester 1 2026. Student guides will be updated on 16 February 2026. There will be no change to the student guides web addresses.

FAQs

How is it different is the 'new' Similarity Report in Turnitin?

The New Similarity Report in Turnitin is more intuitive and better presented than the old report.  The main difference between the new and the 'old' is the use of match categories. These make it easier for marking staff to identify areas of investigation and discern the types of referencing errors that their students are making.  These can be used to provide meaningful feedback to students. See the Overview from Turnitin for further information.

The next main difference is the two tabs at the top, which allow users to switch conveniently between the match categories of similarity and the sources.

Other noticeable differences are:

• more information about each source
• simplified settings to exclude certain match types
• improved accessibility in the interface
• a toggle on/off to show overlapping sources.

View all FAQs 

Communications

8 March - 21 March 2026: Blackboard pop-up: Turnitin updated "What do I need to do?" message.

13 February 2026: A post to the Learning Designer Community Team with resources from the Turnitin Lessons Learnt workshop.

30 January, 5 February 2026: Turnitin workshops for learning designers covering lessons learnt from the Summer Semester early adopter program

9 February 2026: A demonstration of the new Turnitin functionality was included in the Ready2Teach week session What's new in eLearning?

8 February - 21 February 2026: Message about deleting old Turnitin links included in the "Getting started S1 2026!" Blackboard pop-up.

6 February 2026: A post to the Integrity Officers Team with links to resources about enhancements to the Similarity Report.

6 February 2026: Information on the update included in the Directors of Teaching and Learning Teams post “eLearning Updates for S1 2026”

2 February 2026: Teaching and eLearning newsletter, Turnitin updated announcement

27 January - 2 February 2026: Blackboard pop-up: Turnitin updated announcement.

27 January 2026: UQ Update, Turnitin update 2026 update announcement.

27 January 2026:  A post to the Learning Designer Community Team announcing the update.

27 January 2026: This project page was updated.

10 November 2025: Integrity officers network biannual meeting, Turnitin demonstration and consultation on professional development for IO and Directors of Teaching and Learning.

10 November 2025: UQ Update, Turnitin update 2026 update announcement.

6 November 2025: Teaching and Learning week - Assessment workshop, Turnitin update 2026 announcement

30 October 2025: eLearning Update (professional staff), Turnitin update demonstration

27 October 2025: Teaching and eLearning newsletter, Turnitin 2026 update announcement. Request for nominations for the Summer Semester early adopters program.

27 October 2025: This project page was published.

Turnitin update project team

Turnitin eLearning adopters

The follow course coordinators trialled the new Turnitin over Summer Semester 2025 and provide feedback to inform the UQ wide deployment.