About us
The Academic Skills Centre is a place where you can come to develop your academic, digital and mathematical skills.
Our aim is to help you to become a more effective and independent learner by providing you with a range of support services. These include drop-ins, one-to-one appointments, online resources and workshops. You may also come across us in your modules as we embed workshops or resources directly into your programmes.
For more information about new resources or upcoming events, see What's on.
Where to find us
The Academic Skills Centre is located on the first floor of the Main Library. In-person activities will be held in either our Training Rooms on the first and fourth floors or Appointment Rooms, which are also located on the first floor. If you have any accessibility needs and are attending an ASC in-person activity please see Accessing our training and learning support in the Main Library.
PASS
We also run PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) in conjunction with academic colleagues. PASS involves higher-year students supporting lower-year students with their studies in small groups across an academic programme or module. Find out more about PASS and see where it is running.
Other services
Research students
If you are a Research postgraduate (MRes or PhD) please see the workshops and appointments offered by the Research Skills Team. Please note, the ASC can support MRes students with writing skills.
International students
English language support for international students can be accessed through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA)
The Birmingham International Academy’s Academic English programme provides English language and skills development free of charge to international students whose first language is not English. Fluency and accuracy in English are key for academic success, interaction and engagement, social and academic communication, and networking and employability. The BIA offers a range of flexible learning opportunities all year round that develop a student's academic English skills and confidence in specific areas of communication.
Enrol onto the BIA Academic English course
CAL students
The CAL Academic Writing and Advisory Service (AWAS) is a dedicated service for College of Arts and Law students providing online activities and exercises, and individual support. If you are a CAL student, the AWAS service will also be listed amongst your Canvas courses.
“It [1:1 appointment] gave me a better understanding of what I had done well in the assignment and what needed improving”