Academic Skills Workshops and Support

Academic Skills Workshops

During term, you can attend a workshop on campus or online run by experienced Academic Skills Consultants:

Workshops on Campus – Wednesdays, 1:30 -2:30pm

Online Workshops – Thursdays, 2-3pm

Online Dissertation Workshops – Thursdays, 10-11am

 

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; 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.

Find further information and how to book on English Language for Academic Study.

 

Library Support

The Library offer workshops and one-to-one training to support you with your research.

Workshops

Workshops take place in-person in the Library throughout the year. If you would like to receive updates when events are scheduled, Sign up to our mailing list.

  • 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.
  • Introduction to AI

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 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)

Wednesday or Thursday appointments: katy.massey@rlfeducation.org.uk (Term time only)

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.