Academic Skills Training

Accredited by the British Council for the Teaching of English

Information about the programme

  • Teaching hours per week: Each first year student takes three hours weekly
  • Timetable: 1 x two hour class according to the needs of degree subject assessments, plus a one hour Academic Skills Training Plenary lecture every Wednesday
  • Maximum class size: 25 students

At the University of Bedfordshire, we want you to get the most out of your time with us. That's why the University has created a core programme of timetabled academic skills classes, which all EU and international students are expected to attend.

We know how important it is, both during your time at University and in your career afterwards, to continually develop both your intercultural and academic skills.

In Academic Skills Training Unit you learn how to write academically, such as: paraphrasing techniques, avoiding plagiarism and evidencing your critical thoughts.

In short, AST unit aims to boost competence in academic and formal language usage associated with successful participation in UK Higher Education.

Many employers and visa sponsors will look for evidence (in addition to your academic achievements) of excellent English language proficiency and career skills.

"In Academic Skills Training we learn how to write academically, how to summarise, how to paraphrase, how to avoid plagiarism. So it's very helpful."

Dominika from Poland, 1st year BA Psychology

"Writing at an academic level is very difficult. AST helped me to create my own analysis, evaluation and synthesis."

Constantin from Albania, 1st year BA Criminology

Academic Skills Training: Plenary Lectures

Wednesdays @ 5pm - Room P202, Luton

Date

Topic

Lecturer

Room

28th January

Analyse this!

Dr Desmond Skeel

P202

4th February Understanding and Managing Anxiety Lacey Carroll

P202

11th February Multi-Faith Perspectives Helen Burgess

P202

18th February AI: Ethical vs Unethical Practices Dr Nuzhat Jafari

P202

25th February

Research Issues

Dr Nuzhat Jafari

P202

4th March Celebrating International Culture Katy Robertson-Hohmann

P202

11th March Motivation Strategies Dr Leo Tzampazis

P202

18th March Identifying Truth in a Noisy World Rafael Cloete

P202

 


Academic Skills Training is designed to help you boost your course grades and become an effective communicator. This core unit consists of three parts:

TWO FORMATS every week:

1

Academic skills development session for your subject area

Check your timetable

2 hours weekly

2

AST plenary/ presentation skills workshops

G101 most Wednesdays @5pm/6pm

1-2 hours weekly

 


Academic Skills Training Unit Timetable

Enhanced English Unit Timetable

From January 2026 onwards

Group Period              Lecturer Day Time Room Campus
AST Computing/
 Engineering PG
 BLK2  Rafael Cloete Mondays 10:00-12:00 online online
AST Business UG continuing  SEM2  Paul Owen Mondays 12 noon/ 3pm ?/ ? Luton - AA
AST Law  SEM2  Dr Nuzhat Jafari Mondays 12:30-14:30 J304 Luton - AA
AST Public Health  SEM2  Dr Nuzhat Jafari Mondays 15:00-17:00 J304? Luton - AA
AST UG Business boost
(Int Bus/ HR)
 SEM 2  Paul Owen Tuesdays 12:00-13:30 H307a Luton
AST Business PG  BLK2  Rafael Cloete Tuesdays 12:00-14:00 P202 Luton - AA
AST Luton Nursing  SEM2  John Lapwood Tuesdays 15:30-17:00 PM06 Luton
AST Bedford Nursing   SEM2  Paul Owen Tuesdays 15:30-17:00 D1.01 Bedford
AST Social Sciences/ Creative  SEM2  Rafael Cloete Tuesdays 15:00-17:00 A405 Luton - AA
AST Bedford  SEM2   Paul Owen Wednesdays 12:00-14:00 online Online for Bedford
AST Business PG  BLK2  Rafael Cloete Wednesdays 12:00-14:00 P103 Luton - AA
Enhanced English Unit  SEM2  Paul Owen Wednesdays 14:30-16:30 H305 Luton
AST Computing/
 Engineering  UG
 SEM2  Rafael Cloete Wednesdays 14:30-16:30 G225 Luton - AA
AST Business PG  BLK2  Rafael Cloete Thursdays 12:00-14:00 A107 Luton
AST Life Sciences  SEM1  Paul Owen Thursdays 14:00-16:00 G225 Luton - AA
AST UG Business boost
(Marketing/ Bus Mgt)
 SEM 2  Rafael Cloete Fridays 10:00-12:00 H306 Luton
AST Business/ Computing & Engineering(catch up)  BLK2  Paul Owen Fridays 10am-12 noon online online
Enhanced English Unit  SEM2  Paul Owen Fridays 13:00-15:00 H305 Luton

The AST Plenary Lecture Programme

As part of the Academic Skills Training programme, all international students can benefit from attending plenary lectures. You will be asked to take notes during the lectures by inspirational speakers, and then write an essay on the lecture theme. Valuable feedback will be provided from which you will be able to recognise your improvements during the course of the year.


Academic Skills Plenary Lecture benefits
  • Targeted feedback from essays
  • Listening skills
  • Note-taking and writing practice
  • Observing and interacting
  • Raising cultural awareness
  • Interesting and varied topics

Find out more:

@ Your AST BREO Unit

Programme Coordinator: paul.owen@beds.ac.uk (room J301)


The Enhanced English unit will enable you to work on boosting your general English skills, such as:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar

Enhanced English Timetable

From January 2026 onwards

Luton campus

Fridays
13:00 - 15:00

Online Paul Owen

 


Academic Skills Training / Introduction to Public Speaking Unit

Presentation Skills Workshops

Overcome your fear of public speaking and learn how to engage your audience

  • Thursday, 6th Nov, 5-7pm, room J303 (Luton)
  • Thursday, 13th Nov, 5-7pm, room J303 (Luton)
  • Thursday, 20th Nov, 5-7pm, room J303 (Luton)
  • Thursday, 27th Nov, 5-7pm, room J303 (Luton)
  • Thursday, 4th Dec, 5-7pm, room J303 (Luton)

Find out more

E: paul.owen@beds.ac.uk
E: languagecentre@beds.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1582 489032
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address

The Language Centre
University of Bedfordshire Business School
Vicarage Street
University Square
Luton, LU1 3JU
UK

telephone

Office hours GMT

  • Mon – Thu
    09:00 to 17:00
  • Friday
    09:00 to 16:30

T: +44 (0)1582 489032