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.
News and Events
Connect with the Academic Skills team
Get personalised advice by booking an individual appointment or contacting our writing advice service for tips, resources and feedback.
Get one-on-one advice with Academic Skills.
An Adviser can help you:
- Develop skills such as academic writing, referencing
- Identify improvement strategies for these key areas,
- Refer you to relevant resources.
Which 1-1 service should you use?
Academic Skills offers two 1-1 services – the writing advice service and individual appointments – they provide different forms of advice.
You can use both services, but this information will help you decide which service is best placed to help you depending on your needs.
Click on the headings below to compare the services.
-
Who we are
Writing advice service
Writing Mentors: fellow students (trained by Academic Skills Advisers), recent graduates, tutors
Individual appointments
Academic Skills Advisers: qualified TESOL and education professionals
-
How the service works
Writing advice service
- 15 minutes for the writing mentor to look at your paper
- Once per assessment
- No limit on number of sessions per semester
The service is offered online. You contact the service (see below), fill out a short form with details and attach your paper/task. We email you with feedback usually within a day.*
*not on weekends or uni closure days
Individual appointments
- 25-minute* 1-1 appointment
- 4 sessions per semester
- No more than 1 per week
The service is offered via Zoom. You book the service (see below). We email you a link, the meeting is on the day and time you choose from available appointments. You can email us your paper/task.
*PhD students can ask for 1-hour appointments - you can discuss this with your Academic Skills Adviser prior to the appointment.
-
What the service provides
Writing advice service
- Quick focus on specific parts of your writing
- Reading sections of writing assessment drafts
- Answer specific questions you have about a particular piece of writing*, e.g. referencing, a particular grammar point, the introduction.
*NOTE: you can email sections of work or whole drafts: the writing mentor will spend 15 minutes with the work
Individual appointments
- In-depth focus on study and communication skills
- Feedback on writing drafts, advising on quality of response; advising on broader academic skills such as time management, managing reading
- Answer broader questions you might have about academic work, e.g. incorporating sources, academic voice, critical analysis, improving your English language, managing time, strategies for revision and taking exams.
*NOTE: you can send unfinished drafts of work or finished drafts. You don't need to have a complete piece of writing. We can talk to you at any stage of the writing process.
-
What we don't do
Writing advice service
We do not offer:
- Proofreading or editing
We do not provide advice on:
- Course planning or course advice
- IELTS tests or time-limit exam answers
- IT questions
- Applications to other universities
- Resume, Cover letters
Individual appointments
We do not offer:
- Proofreading or editing
We do not provide advice on:
- Course planning or course advice
- IELTS tests or time-limit exam answers
- IT questions
- Applications to other universities
- Resume, Cover letters
-
Who we 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 the Academic Skills Adviser by email before the appointment.
-
Accessing the service
Writing advice service
- No booking required
- Access via contact button below
- Mostly same-day response*
- Available from week 4 of the semester to week 2 of the Exam period
*Not on weekend or University holidays and closure days
Individual appointments
- Booking required
- Access via appointment booking button below*
- Book up to 2 weeks in advance
- Available all year
*You can cancel the booking at the same website
Before you use 1-1 services: Please note that any written submissions to Academic Skills must conform to University of Melbourne regulations and guidelines on Academic Integrity.
Writing advice service*
Contact the writing advice service
*The Academic Skills writing advice service
is available from week 4, Semester 2, 2023
finishing exam week 2, November 10, 2023
Individual appointments
If you need any help accessing these services or have questions not answered by this information, please 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 |
---|---|---|
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. | 29 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. |
1 Aug Repeated on: 14 Aug 22 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. | 21 Sept |
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. |
15 Aug Repeated on: 23 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 Sept |
Take charge of your reading | 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. |
28 July Repeated on: 18 Aug |
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. |
18 Aug Repeated on: 6 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. | 4 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. |
4 Oct Repeated on: 10 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. |
1 Aug Repeated on: 16 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 |
---|---|---|
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. | 24 July |
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. |
27 July Repeated on: 24 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. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
Presenting Effectively | This interactive session looks at the skills of effective presenters focusing on voice, body language and visuals. |
31 Aug Repeated on: 5 Oct |
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 |
---|---|---|
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. |
20 Sept Repeated on: 16 Oct |
Managing your time and tasks | To succeed at university, you need to be able to balance various commitments and priorities and complete tasks in a timely fashion. This session encourages you to reflect on your personal approach to time and task management and consider which skills and strategies might help you to work more efficiently. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
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 |
---|---|---|
Aussie English | Learn and practise useful pre-listening strategies that can help you listen to, and understand, your classes more effectively. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
Conversation group: What’s everyone talking about? | What are people in Melbourne talking about this week? How can you join the conversation? In this weekly conversation group, you will learn about current news topics and practise having casual conversations with your peers. |
21 Aug 28 Aug 4 Sept 11 Sept 18 Sept |
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. | 15 Sept |
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. | 8 Aug |
Grammar and expressions for talking to your teachers | In this interactive workshop, you will learn and practise grammar and expressions that you can use when communicating with your teachers. | 1 Aug |
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. | 15 Aug |
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. | 29 Aug |
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. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
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. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
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. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
Listening Club 4: It’s not just what they say, it’s how they say it | In this interactive workshop, you will learn about the way pronunciation, body language and expressions can help us understand the speaker’s message. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
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. | 25 Aug |
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. | 31 July |
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. | 7 Aug |
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. | 14 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. | 3 Aug |
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. | 10 Aug |
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. | 17 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. | 24 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. | 31 Aug |
Using and understanding language tools and apps | There are many tools and apps available online to assist people who speak English as an additional language, but which ones are actually useful? Attend this interactive workshop to learn and share ideas about which tools are worth your time. | 6 Oct |
Vocabulary building strategies | Learn strategies for recognising, understanding and remembering useful words and expressions so you can apply them to your academic speaking and writing. | Not offered in Semester 2, 2023 |
Upcoming events in English language
Topics
Get started by selecting a topic that best supports your needs.
-
Developing an academic writing style
-
Editing your writing
-
Essay writing
-
Exam prep
-
Getting started at university
-
Graduate research
-
Grammar
-
Language development
-
Learning online
-
Reading and notetaking
-
Referencing and using sources
-
Report writing
-
Research techniques
-
Speaking and presenting
-
Studying effectively
-
Working with others
-
Time management
-
Understanding academic integrity

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
The Thesis Writers' Community and Quick Tips
Complete an interactive learning module in the Thesis Writers' Community or access our Quick Tip web pages.
Other ways you can develop your skills
-
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.
-
Researcher@Library
Where graduate researchers can expand their information and digital literacy skills throughout their postgraduate degree.
-
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.
-
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 development
English language skills
Develop your English language and communication skills for success at university and beyond.
All students at the University of Melbourne are expected to be good communicators. Communication skills are essential for academic, professional and social success.
Build your skills and confidence communicating in English both at university and in preparation for your career and intercultural pursuits beyond university. Academic Skills offers a range of free programs to help.
Watch Chenglong as he asks his peers about the range of English language programs and support available on his study journey.
Use the menu on the left to find out about the free workshops, programs and resources for the skills you are most interested in developing.
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
Learning a language is an ongoing, lifelong process. Brush up on your vocabulary and grammar, develop your language learning habits or try some new language learning tools.
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your language skills.
Topics include:
Workshops
Academic Skills offers free English language workshops for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Vocabulary building strategies
- Grammar
- Language learning techniques
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.
Reading and writing
Academic reading and writing skills are essential for every student. Find out how to apply effective reading techniques and learn tips and strategies to enhance your academic writing.
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your academic reading and writing skills.
Topics include:
Workshops
Attend our range of workshops on academic reading and writing for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Critical thinking
- Take charge of your reading
- Essay and report writing
- Academic style
- Referencing
- Language learning techniques
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 academic writing drop-ins
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 Drop-in 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.
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.
Listening and speaking
Adapting your listening and speaking skills in the Australian academic context can be challenging. Learn ways to improve your listening skills, speak up in class and communicate with your lecturers and your friends.
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.
Workshops
Attend our range of workshops on academic reading and writing for all study levels.
Topics include:
- Academic listening strategies
- Participating in class discussions
- Communicating in teams
- Aussie English
- Pronunciation
- Intercultural communication
- Language learning techniques
Improve your English in 10 minutes a day
While there is no quick fix to improve your listening and speaking skills, persistent practice in bite-sized activities every day can make a big difference in the long run. Join our online program to receive daily prompts and suggestions.
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.
Web resources
Explore our resources to develop your listening and speaking skills.
Topics include:
- Getting the most out of lectures
- Participating in tutorials and discussions
- Effective presentations
- Managing stress for oral presentations
- Speaking clearly for presentations
- Intercultural communication
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