Proofreading and Editing Service for UK Students
You have the argument. You are not sure the writing does it justice. Send us your dissertation, essay, coursework or assignment and we return it with every change tracked and every suggestion explained, so you can see exactly what moved and why.
What is the difference between proofreading and editing?
Most students need one of three levels, and picking the right one saves you money and stops a heavy edit landing on a draft that only needed a polish. Tell us where you are and we will say which level fits.
| Level | What we look at | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Proofread | Spelling, punctuation, grammar, typos, and inconsistent formatting such as headings, capitals and number style. | A finished draft you are about to submit. |
| Edit | Everything in a proofread, plus unclear or clumsy sentences, repetition, tone, and consistent terminology and spelling (UK or US) throughout. | A draft that is complete but reads unevenly. |
| Edit with feedback comments | An edit, plus comments on paragraph order, signposting and where an argument needs more support. Comments only: we do not rewrite your argument. | A draft you want a second reader to test before it goes to your supervisor. |
Why is every change tracked?
Because the work has to stay yours. We use Word's Track Changes and comments, so each correction can be accepted or rejected one at a time from the Review tab, and nothing is buried in a clean copy you cannot check.
What we change
- Spelling, punctuation and grammar slips.
- Awkward or ambiguous phrasing, with the fix visible.
- Inconsistent spelling, capitalisation and terminology.
What we flag but leave to you
- Gaps or jumps in your argument.
- Claims that need a source or a softer verb.
- Sections that sit in the wrong order.
Tip: switching to "No Markup" view only hides tracked changes; they come back when the file reopens. Accept or reject each one to remove it. Microsoft's guide to accepting and rejecting tracked changes.
How much can a proofreader change in a UK university assignment?
It depends on your university, and the rules differ more than most students expect. We shape the edit to your rules rather than to a default, so check yours and tell us what it says. Here is what four UK universities publish.
| University | Corrections allowed | Not allowed | Student must |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | Minor spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax fixes, all tracked; comments on larger clarity issues. | Rewriting, adding content, changing the argument or the referencing system. | Declare the proofreader and keep before and after versions. |
| York | Spelling, punctuation, capitalisation, word use, citations and referencing. Research students may also have grammar and syntax corrected. | Fixing clarity, flow, repetition or tone (they can only be pointed out); adding or rewriting sentences. | Formally acknowledge the proofreader and keep evidence of the edits. |
| Swansea | Spelling, typing errors, punctuation and grammar; unclear passages can be highlighted. | Rewriting, reorganising paragraphs, fixing facts, or correcting and reformatting references. Taught students cannot use professional third-party services unless approved as a reasonable adjustment. | Declare on submission that the work is their own and complies with the policy. |
| Reading | Limited help, if properly disclosed. | Anything that changes the substance of the work or compromises authorship. | Disclose any third-party editing in a written statement. |
Notice that York allows referencing corrections while Edinburgh and Swansea do not. That is why we ask which rules apply before we start, and why a heavier "edit" is not always the right choice for taught-course work. If you are unsure, ask your module leader or department first, then send us what they say.
Policies change, so confirm against the current version: Edinburgh third-party proofreading guidance (PDF) · York guidance on proofreading (PDF) · Swansea proof-reading policy · Reading policy on editorial and proof-reading services
Which documents can you proofread and edit?
We work with UK students at undergraduate, master's and PhD level on the documents below,.
- Dissertations and theses: whole documents or single chapters, such as a literature review or a conclusion. Doctoral students can also see our PhD thesis help.
- Assignments and essays: an assignment editing service for reports, essays and case studies, matched to the marking criteria you send.
- Coursework: shorter pieces where a clean, consistent finish can lift how the work reads. See coursework help for deadlines and marking.
Still planning or drafting rather than polishing? Our wider dissertation help covers the earlier stages.
How does it work, and what does it cost?
- You send
- The document, your word count, deadline, referencing style, and any department rules or marking criteria.
- We reply
- With the level of edit we recommend and a quote. Scope and price are agreed before any work begins.
- We edit
- The document returns with tracked changes and comments to the agreed level.
- You decide
- Accept or reject each change, answer the comments, and submit your own final version. Ask us if anything is unclear.
The price depends on length, level of edit and deadline. Our price page explains how quotes work.
