Academic skills

Skills for Success are here to support you with everything you need to do well in your studies that is not directly related to your subject. There is also a range of online materials and resources to help you, no matter what level you are at, or what department you study in.

Workshops, 1:1s and other support

Workshops and other online support

A range of workshops run throughout the year to help you develop your academic skills.

One-to-one appointments

Book a session with one of our tutors for help with any aspect of your studies.

Skills@Essex

A bank of study skills resources on Moodle designed to enhance your academic and personal development throughout your studies.

Writing skills

Undergraduate writing skills

Resources and support to help you improve your writing skills including note taking and essay writing.

Postgraduate writing skills

Find out about writing skills at postgraduate level.

Academic integrity, authorship and plagiarism

Develop your understanding of academic integrity, authorship and plagiarism. Learn how to reference correctly.

Academic argument skills

An introduction to the key skills required to develop a grounded academic argument.

Lab report writing for the biosciences

Understanding the different requirements of a lab report for the biosciences.

Process writing

The steps you need to take to produce a well-thought-out and well-focused piece of academic writing.

Proofreading

Guidance about good practice in relation to third-party proofreading of student work.

Research and referencing skills

Referencing skills

Find out about the different types of referencing styles and systems.

Research skills

Support and guidance to help you with your research.

Maths, statistics and digital skills

Maths and stats support

Find out about the maths, stats, numeracy and problem-solving skills support you can access.

Numeracy assessment and modules

Find out about the numeracy assessment and modules for students in certain academic departments.

Digital skills support

Find out about developing your digital skills and the resources you can access.

Study skills

Critical thinking

What it means to think critically and some practical ways that this can be achieved.

Effective presentations

An introduction to some core ideas and aspects of creating good quality presentations.

Independent learning

Being an independent learner means being an active learner, taking responsibility for your workload, commitments and deadlines.

Speaking and listening skills

Exploring different situations where oracy skills are used and the specific speaking and listening skills needed in each case.

Problem solving

Some practical techniques that are useful for study as well as in everyday situations.

Exams

Exam revision

Find out about the support you can access to help you with your exam revision.

English language skills

Academic English classes

Academic English classes to support you if English is not your first language.

English support classes for dependants

The Department of Language and Linguistics offers dependants of international students and staff free English classes.

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Need help?

If you need any further help and advice, please contact or visit the Student Services Hub who will be happy to assist you.