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.
Other programs and services
News and Events
Connect with the Academic Skills team
What are Academic Skills appointments?
30-minute appointments with a qualified language and learning professional (one-hour for Graduate researchers).
Academic Skills Advisers can go through a section of your writing with you, discuss strategies to help you study more effectively (including using GenAI) and help you develop your communication skills.
How the service works
- Appointments are held via Zoom (in-person appointments also available by request)
- You can make up to four appointments per semester
- Limit of one appointment per student in a single week
- No more than two appointments on the same piece of writing*.
*Graduate researchers may meet with Advisers on a longer term, ongoing basis more than twice for the same piece of work due to the nature of Doctoral and research writing.
Frequently asked questions
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We can provide:
- Feedback on written work at any stage of the writing process
- Answers to any questions you have about academic work, eg incorporating sources, academic voice, critical analysis
- Advice on broader academic skills such as time management, managing reading, strategies for revision and taking exams and using generative AI tools
- Advice on improving your English.
We cannot provide:
- Subject content or discipline-specific advice
- Proofreading or editing. Instead, we work with you to develop your skills in self-editing
- Commentary on the mark your work might be given
- Help with choosing subjects or changing your course (see Stop 1)
- Help during time-limited exams
- Help with applications to other universities
- Help with writing a resume or cover letter (see Careers).
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Our service is available to any currently enrolled University of Melbourne student or Graduate Researcher.
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- We are open all year (excluding days the University is closed)
- Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
- Availability may be limited between semester periods.
Ready to book?
- Book up to two weeks in advance
- After booking, check your student email for a Zoom link
- Please note that any written submissions to Academic Skills must conform to University of Melbourne regulations and guidelines on Academic Integrity.
Book an online appointment
To request an in-person appointment, email us
Further questions about this service? Email academic-skills@unimelb.edu.au
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Academic writing 101 | Not sure what academic writing actually is? You’re not alone! In this practical session, we unpack what your lecturers are really looking for - how to stay on topic, structure your ideas and use sources effectively. | 11 Mar Repeated on: 30 Mar |
| Academic writing for graduate coursework students | Starting postgrad study? This session breaks down what academic writing at UniMelb is all about at the Graduate level. Whether you're brushing up on your writing skills or starting fresh, you'll get practical tips to help you write clearly, think critically, and meet higher-level expectations with confidence. | 16 Mar Repeated on: 31 Mar |
| Critical thinking | Critical thinking is the key to academic success! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to evaluate ideas, as well as explore strategies for applying critical thinking skills to your reading, note-taking and writing. | 10 Mar Repeated on: 31 Mar |
| The research to writing process | Presented by Library and Academic Skills staff, this session will offer you tools to tackle your assignment submission! The session explores the writing process, including task analysis, planning, research, note-taking, writing, and referencing. | 23 Mar Repeated on: 14 Apr |
Winning Strategies for Uni Reading | Starting uni means a lot of reading! This session focuses on making strategic reading choices, taking notes and strategies for dealing with difficult texts. | 2 Mar Repeated on: 23 Mar |
| Understanding referencing | Confused about referencing? You’re not alone! This workshop will demystify the process and show you how to:
Join us to build your referencing skills and avoid common mistakes to ensure you are citing your sources like a pro! | 23 Mar Repeated on: 15 Apr |
| Writing your first assignment | New to university writing? This workshop will guide you through the essentials of tackling your first assignment with confidence. You’ll learn how to:
Join us to build the skills you need to write with clarity and succeed in your first assessments! | 3 Mar Repeated on: 24 Mar |
| 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. | 16 Mar Repeated on: 1 Apr |
| Writing your final assignment | Your final first-year assignment is likely the biggest, and most important, writing task of the semester. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to strategically approach your final assignment to understand what’s expected, efficiently plan and write, as well as tips for supporting your argument. Join us to learn practical approaches that make the process manageable and set you up for success! | 6 May Repeated on: 19 May |
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 |
|---|---|---|
Lecture Hacks: Listen, Learn, Level Up | Lectures can be fast-paced and packed with info so how do you keep up and understand the ideas? In this session, we share smart strategies for prepping before lectures, taking notes that make sense to you later, and turning your notes into effective revision tools. | 12 Mar |
| Intercultural learning through Story Circles | Being able to connect to people from different cultures is an essential skill for uni success and beyond. Join this session to develop your communication skills across cultures. You will be facilitated to share and reflect on your cultural experiences in a safe and nurturing environment. The Story Circles method can be applied to uni and other social settings to improve interpersonal interactions. | 26 Mar |
Class discussions: communicating with confidence | Want to feel more confident speaking in class? This session gives you practical tips for asking questions, joining discussions, and sharing your ideas. You'll practise real uni-style conversations and build the skills to get involved and be heard. | 5 Mar |
| Presenting Effectively | A great presentation is about more than just what you say! This interactive workshop looks at how to craft content that captures attention, deliver your message with confidence, and use visuals that enhance communication. Walk away with practical tips to make your next presentation shine! | 19 Mar |
| Preparing for Interactive Oral Assessments | Curious about interactive oral assessments (IOAs)? While IOAs can take many different formats, they usually involve two parts: you talking through your ideas, and your assessor asking questions to see how well you understand your topic. In this workshop, we’ll walk you through key features of interactive oral assessment, share practical ways to prepare, and help you feel more confident on the day. | 15 April Repeated on: 4 May |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Successful exam preparation with early revision | Get started early with techniques and resources for effective exam taking. Through interactive activities, you will reflect on your preparation approaches and discover a range of active study strategies. | 12 Mar |
| Learning with AI at University of Melbourne | This session explores essential strategies and practical principles to make the most of GenAI tools while staying on the right side of academic integrity. Learn how to use GenAI effectively and ethically, with clear guidance on policies and best practices to guide your learning experiences. | 13 Mar |
| Translating study skills into employability skills | Your university experience is building more than academic knowledge—it’s shaping the skills employers want most. Research, critical thinking, teamwork, time and project management, communication, and writing are all powerful tools for job seeking and career success. In this workshop, we’ll look at the essential skills you’ve developed through study and show you how to reframe them for the workplace. | 17 Mar |
| 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. | 7 May Repeated on: 27 May |
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 |
|---|---|---|
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. | 4 Mar |
| Grammar and expressions for talking to your teacher | 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. | 4 Mar |
Grammar and 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 with your teachers and peers. | 11 Mar |
| 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. | 18 Mar |
| 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. | 3 Mar |
| 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. | 10 Mar |
| Listening in lectures 1: Foundational strategies | Learn how to listen for main ideas and key detail, use context clues from surrounding content, recognise lecture structures and understand signposting language. | 4 Mar |
| Listening in lectures 2: Speech, accents & body language | This session will help you become more familiar with local variations in speech and different accents, suggest ways to cope with fast speech, and show you how prosodic features such as stress and pausing affect meaning. | 11 Mar |
| Listening in lectures 3: Note taking techniques | This workshop is for students who speak English as an additional language. This session covers common abbreviations and symbols, different note-taking styles and techniques, and suggests ways to use recorded lectures effectively. | 18 Mar |
| 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. | 20 Mar |
| 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. | 6 Mar |
| 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. | 20 Mar |
| Academic reading 1: Pre-reading strategies | 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. | 3 Mar |
| Academic reading 2: Skim, scan & succeed | 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. | 10 Mar |
| Academic reading 3: Note taking techniques | 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. | 17 Mar |
Speaking Clearly 1: The rhythm of English | Just like music, spoken English has a rhythm, made up of stress, pauses and intonation. This rhythm helps the listener understand the speaker’s meaning and attitude. Attend this interactive workshop to learn about stress, pauses and intonation in English and practise your pronunciation with others. | 5 Mar |
Speaking Clearly 2: Linking sounds for fluent pronunciation | English speakers link and blend words in spoken English, which can make it less obvious where one word ends and the next begins. Attend this interactive workshop to learn why and how English speakers connect their sounds and practise your pronunciation with others. | 12 Mar |
Speaking Clearly 3: Aussie pronunciation | Have you ever listened to an Australian person speaking and thought ‘…what??’ You’re not alone! Attend this interactive workshop to learn about the sounds of Australian accents and practise your Aussie accent with others. | 19 Mar |
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.
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.
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Writing with GenAI for Graduate Researchers: FAQs
Some guidance and expectations for the use of generative AI tools in the preparation of research outputs related to graduate research degrees, including the thesis.
Other ways you can develop your skills
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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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Where graduate researchers can expand their information and digital literacy skills throughout their postgraduate degree.
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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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An independent student association representing all enrolled graduate students at the University of Melbourne, providing representation, events, training and support.
All University of Melbourne students are expected to be effective communicators. No matter your level of study, language and communication skills are essential for academic, professional and social success.
Academic Skills offers a range of services, programs and resources to help you build your English language and communication skills.
Video: Watch Chenglong as he asks his peers about the range of English language programs and support available on his study journey.
Core programs and learning resources
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Resources
Explore our range of online resources to develop your language and communication skills.
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Workshops
Learn strategies and practise techniques to build your confidence communicating in English at university and beyond.
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Tutorials
Join the Academic English Tutorials (AETs) to further develop your academic and English language skills within the context of your discipline.
Personalised recommendations and feedback
Diagnostic English Language Assessment
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.
Student appointments
Get feedback on your writing and personalised advice on developing your language and communication skills during an individual appointment with an Academic Skills Adviser.
Additional online programs
Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
Join our online program to receive daily prompts and bite-sized activities to improve your reading and listening skills.
Modules
Join our English for Success community for tips, videos and examples to build your skills in Academic writing. You'll also find interactive exercises on pronunciation.
Other ways to improve your language and communication skills
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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.
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Through the study of multiculturalism in Australian society, this subject develops students’ ability to use academic English language.
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This subject focuses on the advanced language required for successful graduate study in English.