Academic Skills Training
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 |
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)
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