Academic Skills Workshops and Support

 

 

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 

• 14^th February, Essay Writing 1 - Planning and Structuring
• 21^st February, Essay Writing 2 - Developing an Argument  
• 28^th February, Essay Writing 3 – Demonstrating Critical Writing
• 6^th March, Essay Writing 4 - Academic Writing Style (booking opens 21^st Feb)
• 13^th March, Planning a Presentation (booking opens 28^th Feb)
• 20^th March, Essay Writing 5 - Improving Your Essay (booking opens 6^th March)
• 17^th April, Delivering a Presentation (booking opens 13^th March)
• 24^th April, Effective Revision Strategies (booking opens 20^th March)

 Webinars (online) – Thursdays 2-3pm or 3-4pm

• 15^th February, 3pm-4pm Essay Writing 1 - Planning and Structuring  
• 22^nd February, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 2 - Developing an Argument
• 29^th February, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 3 – Demonstrating Critical Writing
• 7^th March, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 4 - Academic Writing Style (booking opens 22^nd Feb)
• 14^th March, 3pm-4pm Planning a Presentation (booking opens 29^th Feb)
• 21^st March, 2pm-3pm Essay Writing 5 - Improving Your Essay (booking opens 7^th March)
• 18^th April, 3pm-4pm Delivering a Presentation (booking opens 14^th March)
• 25^th April, 2pm-3pm Effective Revision Strategies (booking opens 21^st 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

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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One-to-one Library Support

We offer bookable one-to-one help tailored to your needs which can include help with the following, and more:

• improving your search skills
• locating full-text journal articles
• finding high quality information for your subject area
• exploring tools for keeping up to date with research in your field
• searching the Library's online databases effectively.

Book a place on the Library Training page

Spring Workshops will take place in-person in the Library Seminar Room. You can sign up in eventbrite 

• Researching for your Dissertation
• Introducing Zotero for Dissertations

Previous library workshops include the following topics:

• Referencing 101
• Note-taking with Zotero
• Introducing ZoteroBib
• Finding Grey Literature
• Research Project Game for Dissertations
• Using PubMed for Research (Life Science)

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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.

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.