Academic Skills
Develop the academic and professional skills you need for your studies and beyond.
Academic Skills provides one-on-one advice, workshops and resources to help you develop the communication and study skills that will set you up to succeed in your next assignment, upcoming semester, further study, and career outside of university.
Our services, which are available to every enrolled student and graduate researcher at the University of Melbourne, can support you to continually improve your academic skills, including writing, critical evaluation, time management, collaboration and more.
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Connect with the Academic Skills team
Get personalised advice, tips and feedback to help you develop your academic skills. Book an Individual appointment or contact our Writing advice service.
Writing advice service
Fill out the online form and attach a short piece of your written work. Writing Mentors can provide feedback on your work, and advice on how to further develop your writing skills.
Individual appointments
Book a time to meet on Zoom. Academic Skills Advisers can go through a section of your writing with you, discuss strategies for key study areas, or help you access relevant resources.
Compare our services
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Who are we?
Writing advice service
Writing Mentors: fellow students, recent graduates, tutors – all trained by Academic Skills Advisers
Individual appointments
Academic Skills Advisers: qualified language and learning professionals
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How does each service work?
Writing advice service
- 15 minutes for the Writing Mentor to review your paper*
- One submission per assessment
- Unlimited number of submissions per semester
- The service is offered online.
Contact the service (see below), fill out a short form with details and attach your paper/task. We email you with feedback usually within 1-2 days.**
* Due to time constraints, we can only look at a short section of work–if you would like longer papers looked at, choose the Individual Appointment service.
** Closed on weekend and University holidays; waiting time may be longer in peak periods e.g. SWOTVAC.
Individual appointments
- 30-minute* 1-1 appointment with an Adviser
- 4 sessions per semester
- No more than 1 appointment per week
- No more than 2 appointments on the same piece of writing
- The service is offered via Zoom**
- Book the service (see below). After choosing your date / time, we will email you a Zoom link.
* Graduate researchers are able to book 1-hour appointments.
** Appointments can be offered in-person, if needed, contact Academic Skills at the email below to arrange this.
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What does each service provide?
Writing advice service
- A quick focus on short, specific parts of your writing, e.g. selected paragraphs of your draft work, to provide advice and developmental feedback
- Answers to specific questions you have about a particular piece of writing, e.g. referencing, a particular grammar point, development of an argument in your introduction etc. NOTE: you can email sections of work or whole drafts, but the Writing Mentor can only spend 15 minutes with it – this service is not suitable for checking longer pieces of work. If you would like longer papers looked at, choose the Individual Appointment service.
Individual appointments
- In-depth focus on study and communication skills
- Answers to questions you might have about academic work, e.g. incorporating sources, academic voice, critical analysis
- Advice on broader academic skills such as time management, managing reading, strategies for revision and taking exams.
- Advice on improving your English NOTE: your work does not need to be complete, you can send unfinished drafts, finished drafts or sections of work. We are happy to talk to you at any stage of the writing process.
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What doesn't each service provide?
Writing advice service
This service does not offer:
- A review of complete papers unless they are very short. 15 minutes allows Writing Mentors to review short sections of work only.
- Proofreading or editing
- Reviews of anything outside of written work for the University of Melbourne.
Individual appointments
This service does not offer:
- Management of one particular piece of academic writing from draft to finished product over several sessions. We can see students about the same piece of writing no more than twice*
- Proofreading or editing: we want to help you become a better self-editor, so will work with you to develop the skills to do this
- Advice on:
* Graduate researchers are able to see Advisers on a longer term, ongoing basis more than twice for the same piece of work due to the nature of Doctoral / research writing.
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Who does each service work with?
Writing advice service
Undergraduate and graduate coursework students only
Individual appointments
Any enrolled University of Melbourne student*
*If you and a small number (3-4) of classmates or group members have similar questions, you are welcome to join together. Please raise this with Academic Skills before the appointment using the email address below.
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When is each service available?
Writing advice service
- Starts Monday, week 4 of the semester
- Finishes on the Friday of Exam Week 2
- Available during office hours – 9am-5pm
- Not available on days when the University is closed
Individual appointments
- Available all year (except for days when the University is closed)
- Available during office hours – 9am-5pm
- Note that availability may be limited between semester periods
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How do I access each service?
Writing advice service
- No booking required
- Access via Contact button below
Individual appointments
- Booking required
- Access via Book button below*
- Book up to 2 weeks in advance
* You can cancel the booking at the same website
Please note that any written submissions to Academic Skills must conform to University of Melbourne regulations and guidelines on Academic Integrity.
Further questions about these services? Email academic-skills@unimelb.edu.au
Join a workshop to explore practical strategies and academic skills that are crucial for university success.
Academic reading, writing and referencing
Learn a range of practical skills for managing your reading, producing written work and using academic literature in your assignments.
Register for upcoming workshops in this series below the table.
Workshop | Description | Dates |
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Academic writing for graduate coursework students | As a new graduate coursework student, you might be encountering some of the increased expectations of writing at this level of study. This workshop explores the expectations of academic writing at UniMelb as well as introducing practical techniques for advanced-level writing that satisfies demanding readers. | 6 Aug Repeated on: 27 Aug |
Critical thinking | The skill of critical thinking is central to academic success. All of us think critically every day, but university academic expectations may be different from those you may be used to. We will explore how to apply critical thinking skills to your studies, especially when reading and writing. | 25 Jul Repeated on: 12 Aug 23 Aug |
Demystifying the passive voice | The use of active voice and passive voice can be confusing for many academic writers. You may wonder, ‘What is active voice? What is passive voice? Is passive voice incorrect? Which should I use in my writing?’ In this interactive workshop, we will answer these questions and give you the tools you need to use active and passive voice with confidence. | 5 Aug |
Essay writing 101 | The essay is perhaps the most common form of academic writing at the university. Learn about essay structure, paragraphing and features of essays with sample texts for analysis to help you better understand this task type. | 13 Aug Repeated on: 22 Aug |
Mastering punctuation | - ’ : ; ” . ? ( ! : Knowing how to use these punctuation marks can not only make your writing more accurate, but also enhance the impact and clarity of your writing. Attend this interactive workshop to learn how you can use punctuation to take your academic writing to the next level. You will have opportunities to ask questions and practise a range of punctuation rules. | 6 Aug |
Take charge of your reading and note-taking | Managing your reading at university is one of the most important things to get on top of early. This session examines making strategic reading choices, organising your reading, optimising reading times, taking notes and strategies for dealing with difficult reading. | 25 Jul Repeated on: 30 Jul |
Understanding referencing | This session explores referencing at university. It looks at how to take information from different sources and incorporate it into your work and how to best use Library resources. | 15 Aug Repeated on: 3 Sept |
Writing your first assignment | You may be asked to complete a variety of written assessment tasks at university. You will consider strategies to approaching written tasks with a process, finding resources and responding to tasks. | 26 Jul Repeated on: 2 Aug |
Writing your final assignment | This session examines what is expected for your final first-year assignment – probably the longest and most important writing task of the semester. We will explore strategies and resources for approaching this task efficiently. | 2 Oct Repeated on: 8 Oct |
Writing your first literature review | Reviewing literature is a key academic skill used in many disciplines. This workshop introduces you to the basics of writing a lit review, focusing on the elements of a lit review, the language needed and the key aspects of criticality and interpretation. | 6 Aug Repeated on: 14 Aug |
Upcoming events in academic reading, writing and referencing
Speaking, presenting and engaging in class
Learn a range of practical ways to participate more effectively and confidently in classes, assessments and social situations.
Register for upcoming workshops in this series below the table.
Workshop | Description | Dates |
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Getting the most out of lectures | The main delivery mode of learning at university is through lectures. This session focuses on preparing for lectures in both face-to-face and online contexts, effective note-taking, plus organising and reviewing your notes. | 23 Jul |
Intercultural learning through Story Circles | Join this Story Circles session to develop your communication skills and build connections by sharing and reflecting on lived experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. | 15 Aug Repeated on: 29 Aug |
Participating in class discussions | Learn how to participate effectively in a range of speaking contexts at university by practising strategies for asking questions, engaging in discussions and supporting your views. Featuring authentic academic discussion activities, this class will help you develop confidence and skills for getting involved actively at university. | 26 Jul Repeated on: 2 Aug |
Presenting Effectively | This interactive session looks at the skills of effective presenters focusing on voice, body language and visuals. | 8 Aug |
Upcoming events in speaking, presenting and engaging in class
Study skills
Learn a range of practical strategies and tools to engage with the University and your studies most effectively.
Register for upcoming workshops in this series below the table.
Workshop | Description | Dates |
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Exam preparation and active revision | This workshop will provide you with techniques and resources for effective exam taking. Through interactive activities, you will reflect on your study approaches and discover a range of study strategies. | 1 Aug Repeated on: 18 Sept 16 Oct |
Translating study skills into employability skills | Skills such as research, critical thinking, teamwork, time and project management, communication and writing do equip you for job seeking and are highly valued by employers. This session examines the critical skills you develop through tertiary study and explores how to rethink these skills for job seeking. | 8 Aug |
Upcoming events in study skills
English language
Learn a range of strategies and practise techniques to build your confidence communicating in English at university and beyond. These workshops are for students who speak English as an additional language.
Register for upcoming workshops in this series below the table.
Workshop | Description | Dates |
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Grammar & expressions for giving opinions in class | University classes often require students to share their opinions. In this interactive workshop, you will learn and practise expressions and grammar that can help you effectively and confidently share your opinion. | 29 Jul |
Grammar and expressions for concise and cohesive writing | Strong academic writing is concise (short and sharp) and cohesive (connected). To help us write in this way, we often use a grammatical structure called ‘nominalisation’. In this interactive workshop, we will practise using nominalisation to improve our academic writing. | 5 Aug |
Grammar and expressions for talking to your teachers | All students need to speak to their teachers to ask questions and seek advice. In this interactive workshop, you will learn and practise grammar and expressions that you can use when communicating with your teachers. | 22 Jul |
Improve your English in 10 Minutes a day – Listening & Speaking | In this session you will practise listening and speaking activities that you can complete in around 10 minutes per day to improve your English over an extended period. | 30 Jul |
Improve your English in 10 minutes a day – Reading & Writing | In this workshop you will practise reading and writing activities that you can complete in around 10 minutes per day to improve your English over an extended period. | 23 Jul |
Listening Club 1: 5 quick steps for listening success | Learn and practise useful pre-listening strategies that can help you listen to, and understand, your classes more effectively. | 24 Jul |
Listening Club 2: Listening for main ideas and details | In this interactive workshop, you will learn and practise listening strategies that can help you identify main ideas and details. | 31 Jul |
Listening Club 3: Taking effective notes while listening | In this interactive workshop, you will practise using a range of listening and note taking strategies that you can apply. | 7 Aug |
Messaging and emailing in English | A lot of university communication occurs over email and messenger, but the two ways of communicating require very different writing skills. Attend this practical workshop to learn and practise ways of emailing your teachers and other students, as well as strategies and expressions that you can use when messaging your peers in group chat. | 22 Jul |
Navigating new and complex vocabulary | Learn strategies for recognising, understanding and remembering useful words and expressions so you can apply them to your academic speaking and writing. | 29 Jul |
Reading Club 1: 3 steps to success before you read a new text | Set yourself up for success by using our three steps for approaching a new reading text. In this interactive workshop, you will use one of your reading texts to practise useful pre-reading strategies. | 23 Jul |
Reading Club 2: How to read quickly and find information | University study often requires a lot of reading. Attend this interactive workshop to practise reading strategies that can help you read more quickly and find the details you are looking for. | 30 Jul |
Reading Club 3: Note taking skills that can take you further | Taking notes while reading is a key skill at university. But how should we actually do it? And what should we write? In this workshop, you will practise using a range of note taking strategies and techniques that can help you make more effective notes while reading. | 6 Aug |
Speaking Clearly 1: Stress patterns in speech | Learn how to recognise and produce correct stress patterns in words and sentences in spoken English, then practise your skills with other learners. | 24 Jul |
Speaking Clearly 2: Rhythm and intonation | Discover how the rhythm and melody of your sentences conveys what is important and what you want to emphasise, and practise with other learners. | 31 Jul |
Speaking Clearly 3: Word endings and pronunciation | Listeners can misunderstand if the sounds at the ends of words are unclear. Learn how to hear and say word endings correctly and practise with other learners. | 7 Aug |
Speaking Clearly 4: Difficult consonants | Different languages have different consonant sounds. Come along to practise the consonant sounds in English that are difficult for you and practise with other learners. | 14 Aug |
Speaking Clearly 5: Vowels | Learn how to hear vowel sounds, discover rules for vowel spelling, and practise producing accurate vowels in speaking activities with other learners. | 21 Aug |
Upcoming events in English language
Graduate researchers must be able to evaluate and synthesise literature and data, analyse critically within and across changing disciplinary environments, and communicate their research orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
No matter which stage of your research you’re in, Academic Skills offers a variety of free services to help you develop these skills.
What we offer
Services and Programs
Workshops
Academic Skills offers a range of workshops to help you develop your academic writing, communication and language skills. All of our workshops are listed on the RDU events portal – check out what’s on and enrol.
Individual appointments
Get personalised advice on developing your writing, language and communication skills during an individual appointment with an Academic Skills Adviser. Book online through the Stop1 booking system.
Melbourne Talks
A free program for international students new to the University of Melbourne delivered by the Student Peer Leader Network in partnership with Academic Skills. For information, check out the information page.
Online resources
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Setting up for success: Managing your graduate research project
Learn how to work with a supervisor, set goals and other project management skills.
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Developing writing skills for graduate research
Learn how to write complex information clearly, develop an authorial voice and demonstrate originality.
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Writing thesis sections - Part 1
Learn about thesis structures and how to write introductions, literature reviews and conclusions.
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Writing thesis sections - Part 2
Develop your skills in writing about methods, results and findings.
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Writing a paper for publication
Learn how to write a journal article and get published.
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Incorporating publications in your thesis
Learn how to plan for and include publications in your thesis.
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Developing your networking and presentation skills
Learn how to find conferences, network with peers and present your research effectively.
Other ways you can develop your skills
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The Researcher Development Unit (RDU)
The starting point for all University of Melbourne graduate researchers at any stage of their candidature to find professional development offerings and resources tailored to their needs.
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Researcher@Library
Where graduate researchers can expand their information and digital literacy skills throughout their postgraduate degree.
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The Graduate Research Hub
Where graduate researchers can access a range of information, resources and support offered at the University of Melbourne to assist with achieving their academic goals.
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The Graduate Student Association (GSA)
An independent student association representing all enrolled graduate students at the University of Melbourne, providing representation, events, training and support.
English language skills
Develop your English language and communication skills for success at university and beyond.
Use the menu at the top of the page to find out about the free workshops, programs and resources for the skills you are most interested in developing.
Watch Chenglong as he asks his peers about the range of English language programs and support available on his study journey.
Diagnostic assessment feedback and recommendations
Not sure where to start? Take the Diagnostic English Language Assessment (DELA) to assess your strengths in academic reading, writing and listening and receive personalised recommendations to support you in your skills development journey. It’s not an exam and you can’t fail.
Vocabulary and grammar
Workshops
Academic Skills offers free English language workshops for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Vocabulary building strategies
- Grammar and expressions
- Using and understanding language tools and apps
- Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
Academic English Tutorials (graduate coursework)
Join our free tutorial program available to graduate coursework students in your first or second semester of study. The tutorials require no additional assessments and can help you further develop your academic and English language skills within the context of your discipline. You’ll need to apply to participate, and spaces are limited.
Learn more
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your language skills.
Topics include:
- Using tenses
- Punctuation
- Using articles ('a/an', 'the' and no article)
- Forming subject-verb agreement
- Passive and active voice
- Nominalisation
- Developing your vocabulary
- 10-minute English
- Improving your English
- Academic and professional communication
Reading and writing
Workshops
Attend our range of workshops on academic reading and writing for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Reading club
- Messaging and emailing in English
- Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
- Critical thinking
- Essay writing
- Understanding referencing
Academic English Tutorials (graduate coursework)
Join our free tutorial program available to graduate coursework students in your first or second semester of study. The tutorials require no additional assessments and can help you further develop your academic and English language skills within the context of your discipline. You’ll need to apply to participate, and spaces are limited.
Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
Join our online program to receive daily prompts and bite-sized activities to improve your reading skills.
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your academic reading and writing skills.
Topics include:
- Reading critically
- Academic style
- Clarity and focus
- Writing a great essay
- Research reports
- Connecting ideas
- Editing
- Emailing your lecturer
Online modules
Join the English for Success community for tips, videos, examples of good writing and interactive exercises to test your understanding and get feedback on your academic English.
Topics include:
- How to write effective paragraphs
- How you can transform your writing to be more academic
- How to communicate complex ideas clearly and simply
- Golden rules for writing
- Four ways to make your writing more sophisticated
Other ways to improve your reading and writing skills
Individual appointments and writing advice Service
Get feedback on your writing and personalised advice on developing your English language and communication skills during an individual appointment with an Academic Skills Adviser. Or you can submit a piece of work to a Writing Advice Service Mentor for quick feedback on a part of your writing.
Academic English 1 (ESLA10003) credit subject for undergraduate students
Through the study of multiculturalism in Australian society, this subject develops students’ ability to use academic English language.
Presenting Academic Discourse (LING90002) credit subject for graduate students
This subject focuses on the advanced language required for successful graduate study in English.
Listening and speaking
Workshops
Attend our range of workshops on academic listening and speaking for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Aussie English
- Conversation group
- Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
- Listening Club
- Speaking Clearly
- Getting the most out of lectures
- Academic listening strategies
- Participating in class discussions
- Presenting effectively
Academic English Tutorials (graduate coursework)
Join our free tutorial program available to graduate coursework students in your first or second semester of study. The tutorials require no additional assessments and can help you further develop your academic and English language skills within the context of your discipline. You’ll need to apply to participate, and spaces are limited.
Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
Join our online program to receive daily prompts and bite-sized activities to improve your listening skills.
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your listening and speaking skills.
Topics include:
- Intercultural communication
- 10-minute English
- Talking to your teacher
- Talking in groups
- Listening techniques
Online modules
Join the English for Success community for tips, videos and examples to practice and test your pronunciation and presentation skills at your own pace.
Topics include:
- Pronunciation
- Oral presentations
Other ways to improve your listening and speaking skills
Melbourne Talks
Melbourne Talks is a free, peer-to-peer program hosted by the Student Peer Leader Network in partnership with Academic Skills. It is open to all University of Melbourne students wanting to become familiar with Australian culture and University life while gaining confidence communicating in English and making friends with other students.