PGT Essentials: Online workshops
The Academic Skills Centre are delivering a series of online workshops specifically for postgraduate taught students. You can now book your place for workshops taking place in semester one. Booking links are below. All sessions will be recorded.
Semester 1
Developing your skills for PGT study
Wednesday 15 October 2025, 14:00-15:30 (UK time)
Postgraduate study can feel like a big transition, whether you are returning to university straight after an undergraduate degree or a longer break from education. This session will explore some key skills required for postgraduate study, including critical thinking, time management, finding resources, as well as getting started with academic writing and referencing. We’ll cover advice, tips and tricks for the year ahead, as well as where to get more support throughout your studies. Join the Academic Skills Centre for an online workshop that will help you get up and running with postgraduate study, followed by a Q&A where you can ask any questions related to postgraduate study techniques.
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Finding and using information
Wednesday 29 October 2025, 14:00-15:30 (UK time)
Finding information is an important part of postgraduate study. Problem solving, taking initiative, and effective database searching are all crucial for conducting writing your assignments and research effectively. What is the best way to begin your research, how can you make sure you find the information you need, and how do you make the most of library resources? Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop on research skills, finding and using information, followed by a Q&A where you can ask any questions related to this topic.
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Critiquing an academic article
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 14:00-15:30 (UK time)
You might have noticed that the descriptors for the higher marks on a mark scheme often feature the word ‘critical’. Or you might have had feedback that you should be more critical in your work. But what does it mean to be critical? This workshop considers how we might think more critically. It will help you to develop a thoughtful, questioning, critical approach to your reading. And finally, it will guide you to move from this critical thinking and reading to a piece of critical, analytical, and evaluative writing. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop, followed by a Q&A where you can ask any questions related to this topic.
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How to paraphrase and write concisely
Wednesday 3 December 2025, 14:00-15:30 (UK time)
How can we summarise and write about other people’s research, and communicate our own arguments clearly? In this workshop we'll look at the role of sources and reporting verbs in your writing and you'll get to practice paraphrasing using a few simple steps. We'll then cover six methods that you can use to write concisely in an academic way, which can further aid your paraphrasing. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop on some of the fundamentals of academic writing, followed by a Q&A where you can ask any questions related to this topic.
Book your place
Semester 2
Bookings will be made available in 2026.
Getting started with your research strategy
Wednesday 4 February 2026
Critical thinking
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Developing your writing
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Managing your research project
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Getting started with your dissertation
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Summer dissertation series
Bookings will be made available in 2026.
Summer 2026
Reference management tools for your dissertation
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Dissertation writing: systematic reviews
Wednesday 1 July 2026
Dissertation writing: primary research
Wednesday 8 July 2026
Dissertation writing: secondary research
Wednesday 22 July 2026
Communicating your research: formatting, visuals and data presentation
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Editing and proofreading your dissertation
Wednesday 19 August 2026