We want to help you develop the academic skills you need to get the most out of your studies and achieve the best grades possible. Many of these skills are also important for your future employment.

Skills enrichment sessions run from week 20 to week 31 (no sessions run during the Easter vacation - weeks 27 and 28). They are suitable for all students at all stages of study.

All sessions are 50 minutes except Presentation Skills which is 110 mins per week for 2 weeks. Live online (LOIL) sessions are delivered on Microsoft Teams.

Advance booking is required on MySkills. Bookings will open on 16 January.

Before signing up for a session, please make sure that the day and time do not clash with your academic timetable by checking MyTimetable.

Week Session Date/time Delivery Session summary
20 How do I make the most of my feedback? Mon 13 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online Feedback is one of the most powerful learning tools we have, providing we understand how to unlock its potential. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss how you engage with feedback already and what you can do to make better use of it and really drive your learning forward.
What makes a good paragraph? Tues 14 Feb, 1.15-2.05pm Online Well-structured paragraphs are the building blocks of a clear, convincing academic argument. Join us in this interactive session to discover how to write reader-friendly paragraphs that will help your essay, dissertation or thesis to flow.
How do I develop my summarising and paraphrasing skills? Weds 15 Feb, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 Summarising and paraphrasing skills aren’t just about avoiding plagiarism; they also enable you to write critically and authoritatively about the ideas of others. Whether you’re a new or experienced academic writer, this session will help you take your summarising and paraphrasing skills to the next level.
How can peer review improve my writing? Weds 15 Feb, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.28 Learning to give and receive feedback can elevate your university assignments and boost your employability skills. In this session, we’ll explore how to engage in peer review effectively and why giving feedback to others can make you a better writer yourself.
What does it mean to write critically? Thurs 16 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online Criticality is the key to getting top grades at university. But what is it and what does it mean for your writing? This session aims to boost your critical writing skills by showing you how to deconstruct an academic argument and ensure that you’re supporting all your claims with sound reasoning and evidence.
21 How do I write a scientific report? Mon 20 Feb, 1.15-2.05pm Online How do you structure a scientific report? What verb tenses should you use in different sections? What other aspects of style do you need to consider? Find out the answers to these questions at this session aimed at new and more experienced scientific writers.
How do I write effective introductions and conclusions? Tues 21 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online First (and last) impressions matter! In this workshop, we’ll look at why a strong introduction and conclusion are crucial elements of your assignment and share some tips on what to include. All levels welcome.
How do I make the most of my feedback? Weds 22 Feb, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 Feedback is one of the most powerful learning tools we have, providing we understand how to unlock its potential. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss how you engage with feedback already and what you can do to make better use of it and really drive your learning forward.
Presentation skills - session 1 Weds 22 Feb, 12.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.28 Giving presentations is a vital skill for your studies and your future work. This two-part practical session will look at how to design and deliver presentations effectively and increase your confidence in giving presentations. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience.
How do I make my writing flow? Thurs 23 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online The success of any piece of writing relies on the reader being able to follow it. In this workshop, we’ll look at a range of techniques that you can use to help your writing flow and produce clear, logical and cohesive assignments.
22 How do I reference sources correctly and avoid plagiarism? Mon 27 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online Referencing sources and avoiding plagiarism are essential skills for everyone in the university community. Whether you’re new to referencing or need a refresher, come along to this session to pick up some useful tips and get your questions answered.
What is academic style and why does it matter? Tues 28 Feb, 6.15-7.05pm Online Writing at university means mastering ‘academic style’. But what exactly does this mean? In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn to identify the typical features of academic style and find out how the way you write relates to the way you think. All levels welcome.
How do I get started on an assignment? Weds 1 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 You’ve just been given an assignment title. Now what? In this workshop, we’ll look at how to kick-start the assignment-writing process by analysing your title, creating an outline and formulating a plan.
Presentation skills - session 2 Weds 1 Mar, 12.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.28 Giving presentations is a vital skill for your studies and your future work. This two-part practical session will look at how to design and deliver presentations effectively and increase your confidence in giving presentations. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience.
How do I develop my reading and note-taking strategies? Thurs 2 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm Online Learning to read and make notes strategically is fundamental to success at university. In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore and evaluate a range of techniques to help you maximise your learning and work smarter rather than harder.
23 How do I write effective introductions and conclusions? Tues 7 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm Online First (and last) impressions matter! In this workshop, we’ll look at why a strong introduction and conclusion are crucial elements of your assignment and share some tips on what to include. All levels welcome.
How do I get started on an assignment? Thurs 9 Mar, 6.15-7.05pm Online You’ve just been given an assignment title. Now what? In this workshop, we’ll look at how to kick-start the assignment-writing process by analysing your title, creating an outline and formulating a plan.
24 How do I develop my reading and note-taking strategies? Mon 13 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm Online Learning to read and make notes strategically is fundamental to success at university. In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore and evaluate a range of techniques to help you maximise your learning and work smarter rather than harder.
How do I make my writing flow? Tues 14 Mar, 6.15-7.05pm Online The success of any piece of writing relies on the reader being able to follow it. In this workshop, we’ll look at a range of techniques that you can use to help your writing flow and produce clear, logical and cohesive assignments.
What does it mean to write critically? Weds 15 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 Criticality is the key to getting top grades at university. But what is it and what does it mean for your writing? This session aims to boost your critical writing skills by showing you how to deconstruct an academic argument and ensure that you’re supporting all your claims with sound reasoning and evidence.
25 What is academic style and why does it matter? Mon 20 Mar, 6.15-7.05pm Online Writing at university means mastering ‘academic style’. But what exactly does this mean? In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn to identify the typical features of academic style and find out how the way you write relates to the way you think. All levels welcome.
How do I write effective introductions and conclusions? Weds 22 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 First (and last) impressions matter! In this workshop, we’ll look at why a strong introduction and conclusion are crucial elements of your assignment and share some tips on what to include. All levels welcome.
What makes a good paragraph? Thurs 23 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm Online Well-structured paragraphs are the building blocks of a clear, convincing academic argument. Join us in this interactive session to discover how to write reader-friendly paragraphs that will help your essay, dissertation or thesis to flow.
26 What makes a good paragraph? Weds 29 Mar, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.28 Well-structured paragraphs are the building blocks of a clear, convincing academic argument. Join us in this interactive session to discover how to write reader-friendly paragraphs that will help your essay, dissertation or thesis to flow.
What does it mean to write critically? Thurs 30 Mar, 6.15-7.05pm Online Criticality is the key to getting top grades at university. But what is it and what does it mean for your writing? This session aims to boost your critical writing skills by showing you how to deconstruct an academic argument and ensure that you’re supporting all your claims with sound reasoning and evidence.
29 How do I develop my summarising and paraphrasing skills? Mon 17 Apr, 1.15-2.05pm Online Summarising and paraphrasing skills aren’t just about avoiding plagiarism; they also enable you to write critically and authoritatively about the ideas of others. Whether you’re a new or experienced academic writer, this session will help you take your summarising and paraphrasing skills to the next level.
Succeed in exams 1: Getting exam-ready Tues 18 Apr, 6.15-7.05pm Online This session will explore the important questions to ask about your exams, where you can get different kinds of information and support, effective revision techniques and tips for staying calm and positive throughout the exam season.
Succeed in exams 1: Getting exam-ready Weds 19 Apr, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 This session will explore the important questions to ask about your exams, where you can get different kinds of information and support, effective revision techniques and tips for staying calm and positive throughout the exam season.
Succeed in exams 2: Devising your exam strategy Thurs 20 Apr, 6.15-7.05pm Online In this session, you'll learn how to approach exams strategically, both while preparing and on the day, how to tailor your revision to different question types, understand what your tutors are looking for and make the best use of your time during the exam.
30 Succeed in exams 2: Devising your exam strategy Mon 24 Apr, 6.15-7.05pm Online In this session, you'll learn how to approach exams strategically, both while preparing and on the day, how to tailor your revision to different question types, understand what your tutors are looking for and make the best use of your time during the exam.
Succeed in exams 3: Writing against the clock Tues 25 Apr, 6.15-7.05pm Online In this workshop, we'll examine how to produce good writing under timed conditions, the key features of an effective exam answer and how to train your focus and develop your ability to write quickly by hand.
Succeed in exams 2: Devising your exam strategy Weds 26 Apr, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 In this session, you'll learn how to approach exams strategically, both while preparing and on the day, how to tailor your revision to different question types, understand what your tutors are looking for and make the best use of your time during the exam.
How do I edit and proofread my writing effectively? Thurs 27 Apr, 1.15-2.05pm Online Thorough and systematic editing will help you make a good impression on your reader, and when your reader is a tutor or potential employer, this really matters! In this interactive session, we’ll review the editing process, share some useful strategies and evaluate resources that you can use to help you edit your work.
31 Succeed in exams 3: Writing against the clock Tues 2 May, 6.15-7.05pm Online In this workshop, we'll examine how to produce good writing under timed conditions, the key features of an effective exam answer and how to train your focus and develop your ability to write quickly by hand.
Succeed in exams 3: Writing against the clock Weds 3 May, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.29 In this workshop, we'll examine how to produce good writing under timed conditions, the key features of an effective exam answer and how to train your focus and develop your ability to write quickly by hand.
How do I reference sources correctly and avoid plagiarism? Weds 3 May, 1.15-2.05pm In-person - 8W 2.28 Referencing sources and avoiding plagiarism are essential skills for everyone in the university community. Whether you’re new to referencing or need a refresher, come along to this session to pick up some useful tips and get your questions answered.
Succeed in exams 1: Getting exam-ready Thurs 4 May, 6.15-7.05pm Online This session will explore the important questions to ask about your exams, where you can get different kinds of information and support, effective revision techniques and tips for staying calm and positive throughout the exam season.

Please note, sessions may be cancelled at short notice if there is not sufficient take-up. We will advise you as soon as possible if you're booked onto a session which is then cancelled.