Ref-Check – Reference Checker & Verifier
Reference accuracy. Academic integrity. Verified at speed.

The reliable way to verify citations and reference lists.

Ref-Check reviews citations and reference lists to provide clear, structured feedback, verify sources, and highlight issues that may affect accuracy, credibility, or academic integrity.

  • Does not use AI models.
  • Content is processed and stored securely to support your reports and review.
  • Rule-based checks made using trusted bibliographic and metadata sources.

Free unlimited access until the end of May 2026. Sign in to create your account and start checking references.

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Why Ref-Check

A dedicated tool for reference checking.

Plagiarism checking has become a standard part of academic assessment. Reference checking has not always had the same dedicated support, despite being central to how academic work is evidenced, reviewed, and trusted.

Through conversations with colleagues across multiple UK universities, four consistent themes are helping shape Ref-Check:

Professional pressure Reviewing references can be detailed and time-consuming, especially when staff are already working within demanding assessment timelines.
Student understanding Referencing is not only about formatting. Students often need clearer feedback on accuracy, source use, and how citations connect to the reference list.
Dedicated support Ref-Check provides a focused way to review citations and references, supporting consistency without replacing academic judgement.
Source confidence As references become easier to generate and harder to verify, academics need clearer ways to identify what may need closer attention.

Ref-Check has been developed to help bring greater clarity to referencing, highlighting where accuracy, consistency, or reliability may need closer attention. For clear guidance on referencing basics, common referencing issues, and understanding Ref-Check results, visit the Learning Hub.