Proofreading

A proofreader ensures your work is coherent and contains the correct spelling, grammar and punctuation while making as little impact as possible on the content and meaning of the work.

  • Only contacts you at your university email address.
  • Email you to discuss the schedule of work, when they have received your work, and when they are sending it back.
  • Only proofread the main body of your work.  They will not proofread references, notes, bibliographies etc.
  • For those having your dissertation proofread, to the proofreader will agree with you whether you would like them to check it in its entirety, or a chapter at a time, as each section is complete.
  • Use ‘track changes’ in Word documents, so you are able to see what they suggest.  You must check all of the changes when you receive your work back from your proofreader.
  • NOT edit your work or alter the structure of it.  They may indicate if something doesn’t appear to make sense.
  • Only work on your final draft.  Ensure you are happy with the assignment before you send it to them.  Any changes made to the text after it has been returned by the proofreader are not their responsibility. 

  • Once you have received confirmation of funding for proofreading, Contact Us to be matched with a proofreader.
  • You need to contact us 2 weeks before your deadline for assignments, and 4 weeks before your dissertation deadline.
  • Once you have been matched with a proofreader you can contact the proofreader directly, as soon as you know your deadlines, so that a schedule of work can be agreed.
  • You need to tell your proofreader if you have an adjustment for extensions to allow your work to be proofread.  Make clear to the proofreader when the deadline you are working towards is (with or without an extension).
  • Send all your documents to the proofreader as Microsoft Word (.doc) files.
  • Check your emails regularly to ensure there is enough space in your inbox to receive large files.
  • NB: Students funded by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or the University must apply for funding each year.   

  • Organise a schedule of work with your proofreader by being clear about your deadlines.  You need to provide enough notice to ensure the proofreader can check your work and you have time to double check it and submit it.
  • Email your proofreader to confirm when you have received a draft back from them.
  • Check through the work they return to you to decide if you want to accept or reject the changes.  Consider any changes made by your proofreader.
  • Complete a final edit of your work before submitting it.
  • If you contact your proofreader asking for an assignment to be checked, and then do not send them the assignment, the proofreader will charge admin time and this will be removed from your overall proofreading funding.

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