Academic Skills Workshops and Support
See what we cover in our academic skills workshops
- Video transcript
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Academic Skills Workshops
You can attend a workshop or webinar run by experienced Academic Skills Consultants
Book your place on the skills hub
Academic writing style
Improving your essay (editing)
Critical thinking
Academic reading and note making
Essay writing – planning and structuring
Essay writing – developing an argument
Time management
Revision and exams
Academic Skills Workshops and Webinars
You can attend a workshop or webinar run by experienced Academic Skills Consultants:
Workshops (face-to-face) – Wednesdays 3-4
- 14th February, Essay Writing 1 - Planning and Structuring
- 21st February, Essay Writing 2 - Developing an Argument
- 28th February, Essay Writing 3 – Demonstrating Critical Writing
- 6th March, Essay Writing 4 - Academic Writing Style (booking opens 21st Feb)
- 13th March, Planning a Presentation (booking opens 28th Feb)
- 20th March, Essay Writing 5 - Improving Your Essay (booking opens 6th March)
- 17th April, Delivering a Presentation (booking opens 13th March)
- 24th April, Effective Revision Strategies (booking opens 20th March)
Webinars (online) – Thursdays 2-3pm or 3-4pm
- 15th February, 3pm-4pm Essay Writing 1 - Planning and Structuring
- 22nd February, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 2 - Developing an Argument
- 29th February, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 3 – Demonstrating Critical Writing
- 7th March, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 4 - Academic Writing Style (booking opens 22nd Feb)
- 14th March, 3pm-4pm Planning a Presentation (booking opens 29th Feb)
- 21st March, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 5 - Improving Your Essay (booking opens 7th March)
- 18th April, 3pm-4pm Delivering a Presentation (booking opens 14th March)
- 25th April, 2pm-3pm Effective Revision Strategies (booking opens 21st March)
Undergraduate Dissertation Workshops
- Tuesday 20th February, 12-1pm Planning your dissertation
- Thursday 29th February, 10-11am Planning your dissertation (online)
- Tuesday 12th March, 12-1pm Critical writing for your dissertation
- Thursday 21st March, 10-11am Critical writing for your dissertation (online)
- Tuesday 16th April 12-1pm Improving your dissertation
- Thursday 25th April 10-11am Improving your dissertation (online)
You can catch-up on any online sessions by joining our Academic Skills Canvas site and watching our workshop recordings
Student Mentors
Student Mentors are second and third year undergraduates and postgraduate students who have been trained to offer advice and support to other students. Mentors can offer you advice and support on a range of issues including how to manage your time or improve your study skills. They can also point you in the right direction for other support services at the university. Ask in your School Office about mentors in your school.
The Student Centre
The Student Centre is a great place to access student facilities, to study and meet friends.
Discover the spaces and services available to you, the building is open 24/7, and is staffed by security after 5pm and during weekends.
English Language for Academic Study
English Language for Academic Study (ELAS) offers help for students working in English as an additional language. This includes: workshops, which cover aspects of Academic English, including culture and practice (study skills); 1:1 tutorials; and ‘time to write’ sessions. Our aim is to help students who have English as an additional language to continue to develop their English Language and to adapt to UK academic study.
It takes a while to improve language skills, so it is a good idea to make time for this alongside your academic studies throughout the academic year. The workshops, tutorials and ‘time to write’ sessions will help you do this in an enjoyable and supportive environment.
Find further information and how to book on English Language for Academic Study.
Library Support
We offer workshops and one-to-one training to support you with your research.
Workshops include:
- Improving your research skills for assignments and dissertations.
- Referencing and reference management software.
- Evaluating sources.
- Working with grey literature including cases/legislation, government documents, newspapers and more.
- Undertaking systematic or rapid reviews.
- Finding statistics and datasets.
- Managing your research data and writing data management plans.
Spring/Summer workshops will take place in-person in the Library. You can sign up in eventbrite.
One-to-One Support:
We can support you with training tailored to your specific research question. We can also provide support and training on any of the resources available through the library. You can book a one-to-one via the online booking form.
One-to-one Writing Support with the RLF
As part of the Royal Literary Fund’s Fellowship Scheme, the Library hosts three professional writers who offer one-to-one tutorials during term-time for any member of the university who wishes to improve their writing. Our 2023/24 RLF Fellows are Alison MacLeod, Richard Madden and Nikki Sheehan.
Our RLF Fellows can help with any aspect of the writing process, including planning, drafting, constructing an argument and editing. They are able to comment on the writing style of work in progress, allowing students to improve their work before submission.
To book an appointment, please email either Alison, Richard of Nikki:
Monday or Tuesday appointments: alison.macleod@rlfeducation.org.uk
Wednesday or Thursday appointments: richard.madden@rlfeducation.org.uk
Friday appointments: nikki.sheehan@rlfeducation.org.uk
If English is not your first language, specialist one-to-one tutorials are available from English Language for Academic Study.
Students may see the Fellow just once, or return for a subsequent tutorial if they want, subject to availability. In order to ensure other students can book appointments when they need them, please do not book to see more than one RLF Fellow. Appointments can be booked up to 28 days in advance.
The RLF Fellows are established professional writers of literary merit, representing a wide range of genres, including biography, scientific writing and fiction. The principal aim of the Fellows' work is to foster good writing practice across all disciplines and media. Students at every level of study can benefit from learning about good writing practice from a professional author.
RLF Writing resources are also available to students online.
Please note this service is not available during vacation.