Academic Skills Workshops and Support
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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
During term, you can attend a workshop on campus or online run by experienced Academic Skills Consultants:
Workshops on Campus – Wednesdays, 1.30pm-2.30pm
- 28 January – Study Smarter: Productivity Strategies for 2026 (On campus)
- 4 February – Academic Reading Strategies (On Campus)
- 11 February – Reflective Writing (On Campus)
- 18 February – Essay Writing 1: Planning and Structuring (On Campus)
- 25 February – Critical Thinking and Critical Writing (On Campus)
- 4 March – Scientific Report Writing (On campus)
- 11 March – Delivering Your Presentation with Confidence (On Campus)
- 18 March – Essay Writing 2 – Developing an Argument (On Campus)
- 15 April – Effective Revision Strategies (On campus)
- 22 April – Essay Writing 3 – Improving Your Essay (On campus)
- 29 April – Exam Strategies for Success (On campus).
Online Workshops – Thursdays, 2pm-3pm
- 29 January – Study Smarter: Productivity Strategies for 2026 (Online)
- 5 February – Academic Reading Strategies (Online)
- 12 February – Reflective Writing (Online)
- 19 February – Essay Writing 1: Planning and Structuring- (Online)
- 26 February – Critical Thinking and Critical Writing (Online)
- 5 March – Scientific Report Writing (Online)
- 12 March – Delivering Your Presentation with Confidence (Online)
- 19 March – Essay Writing 2 – Developing an Argument (Online)
- 16 April – Effective Revision Strategies (Online)
- 23 April – Essay Writing 3 – Improving Your Essay (Online)
- 30 April – Exam Strategies for Success (Online).
Dissertation Workshops
- Tuesday 17 February, 12pm-1pm – Planning your dissertation (On Campus)
- Thursday 26 February, 10am-11am – Planning your Dissertation (Online)
- Tuesday 10 March, 12pm-1pm – Critical writing for your dissertation (On Campus)
- Thursday 19 March, 10am-11am – Critical Writing for your Dissertation (Online)
- Tuesday 14 April, 12pm-1pm – Improving your dissertation (On campus)
- Thursday 23 April, 10am-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.
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
- ‘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.
Find further information and how to book on English Language for Academic Study.
Library support
The library’s Teaching and Learning team is here to support you throughout your studies. The Library offers a range of support to help you develop key research skills and make the most of the Library’s resources.
Sign up to our mailing list to be notified by email about upcoming workshops and events.
Workshops
Spring Term workshops
- 23 February - Researching for your Dissertation
- 24 February - Introducing Zotero
- 04 March - Introduction to AI
- 15 April - Researching for your Dissertation
- 16 April - Introducing Zotero
- 22 April - Introduction to AI.
- 23 April - Discovering Diverse Voices in Research
- 28 April - Creating Academic Posters with Canva
- 28 April - Note-taking with Zotero
- 29 April - Discovering Grey Literature
- 30 April - Research Rabbit: Mapping the Literature.
One-to-one support
The Library also provides training tailored to your specific research question, as well as support and training on any of the Library’s resources.
To arrange a session, simply 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 two professional writers who offer one-to-one tutorials during term-time for any member of the university who wishes to improve their writing. Our 2025/26 RLF Fellows are Rebecca Stott and Katy Massey.
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 Rebecca or Katy.
Monday or Tuesday appointments: rebecca.stott@rlfeducation.org.uk (term-time only). Last appointment date: 19 May 2026.
Wednesday or Thursday appointments: katy.massey@rlfeducation.org.uk (term-time only). Last appointment date: 28 May 2026.
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.
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.