Postgraduate Academic Skills Programme
The Academic Skills Centre offers a series of workshops for postgraduate students including Master’s and PhD research students and postgraduate coursework students. The workshops cater to students at the beginning of their postgraduate studies (for instance, those who are writing a research proposal) through to those who are nearing completion. All workshops are 50 minutes.
A different series of 3-5 workshops will run each term. Topics may include:
- Critical reading and note-taking: In this session, learn strategies for evaluating academic literature, analysing arguments, and taking effective notes. Discover ways to organize your research using templates and literature management software.
- Essay writing for taught postgraduate students: This workshop guides you in responding to complex essay questions and incorporating literature into your discussion. The workshop is also suitable for students who set their own essay question.
- Poster-making design principles: Learn how to create posters that will attract attention, generate interest in your topic, and effectively communicate the most important elements of your research.
- Thesis structure and planning: This workshop considers principles for persuasively structuring the overall narrative of your thesis or dissertation. It also covers techniques for conveying structure in your writing and for managing your draft.
- Time management for postgraduate students: This session addresses time management for large projects like theses and dissertations. Learn planning principles, reading/writing strategies, and tactics to combat procrastination.
- Writing a literature review: This session covers stand-alone literature reviews and literature reviews as part of a research project. It includes Library resources for literature searching and strategies for writing a literature review.
- Writing a thesis proposal: This session is targeted at students writing Master’s or Doctoral theses. You will learn about the purpose of a research proposal and tips for planning and structuring your proposal.
- Writing a thesis introduction: This session covers the main components of a thesis introduction and provides practical tips on structuring the introduction chapter.
Dates and times
- Term 4 Workshop: Monday, 30 September to Thursday, 3 October 2024 from 2.00 pm to 2.50 pm. Live stream and in person workshop. Please enrol in the series, and attend the sessions that are of interest to you. 30 September -Writing a Thesis Introduction; 1 October -Critical Reading and Note-taking 2 October -Writing a Literature Review; 3 October - Time Management for postgraduates, : passed
- Pre-Semester Workshops 2025: Monday, 10 February to Wednesday, 12 February 2025 from 2.00 pm to 2.50 pm. Live stream and in person workshop. Please enrol in the series, and attend the sessions that are of interest to you. 10 February -Time Management; 11 February- Research Essay; 12 February -Writing a Literature Review: enrolment and venue>>