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 CS 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 & 6pm (repeat) - Room G1O1 Luton

Date

Topic

Lecturer

25th Sep

How to achieve high grades

Paul Owen

2nd Oct

Building your academic vocabulary

Dr Nuzhat Jafari

9th Oct

Evidencing your critical thoughts* (Room H004)

Paul owen

16th Oct

Effective reading strategies

John Sussum

23rd Oct

Why is culture important in learning?

John Lapwood

30th Oct

Developing a growth mind-set

Dr Stella Giorgou

6th Nov

Introduction to public speaking (5-7pm)

Paul Owen

 


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

 


Timetable of AST classes SEM1 2024-25 - Luton campus

Academic Skills Training Timetable Luton w/c September 23rd 2024

Subject

Day and time

Room

Lecturer

Life Sciences

Mondays 09:00-11:00

H308

Dr Nuzhat Jafari

All UG Business

Mondays 09:00-11:00

H217

Paul Owen

Computing UG & PG

Mondays 09:30-11:30

ONLINE

Dr Safia Sheraz

UG Business: Bedford

Mondays 12:00-14:00

ONLINE

Paul Owen

Public Health PG

Mondays 12:00-14:00

H211

Dr Nuzhat Jafari

Law UG

Mondays 15:00-17:00

H310

Paul Owen

All UG Business

Tuesdays 09:00-11:00

C420

Paul Owen

Computing UG & PG

Tuesdays 15:00-1700

A407

Paul Owen

Business PG/ MBA

Tuesdays 12:00-14:00

A220c

Paul Owen

Psychology/ Sociology

Wednesdays 09:00-11:00

H309

John Lapwood

Business PG/ MBA

Wednesdays 10:00-12:00

P103

Paul Owen

Business PG/ MBA

Wednesdays 12:00-14:00

P103

Paul Owen

Public Health, Social Care & Nursing

Thursdays 12:00-14:00

J209

Dr Nuzhat Jafari

Business PG / MBA catch-up

Fridays 10:00-12:00

ONLINE

Paul Owen

Creative

Fridays 14:00-16:00

ONLINE

Paul Owen

Timetable of AST classes SEM1 2024-25 - Bedford campus

Academic Skills Training @ Bedford weekly timetable

Mondays 12:00-14:00

SEMESTER 1

ONLINE

Via Collaborate on BREO

Paul Owen

Mondays 12:00-14:00

SEMESTER 2

ONLINE

Via Collaborate on BREO

Paul Owen

Find out more:

@ Your AST BREO Unit

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


Find out how Academic Skills Classes helps our Students with their studies:





The AST Plenary Lecture Programme (format 2) will recommence in September 2024

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

Luton campus

Wednesdays
14:30 - 16:30

Room A407 John Lapwood
Online via Collaborate (Breo)

Fridays
13:00 - 15:00

To access:

  • go to EE unit on Breo
  • click on Collaborate (down left hand side)
  • enter at the correct time
John Lapwood

Academic Skills Training / Introduction to Public Speaking Unit

Presentation Skills Workshops

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

  • Wed 6th Nov, 5-7pm, room G101 (Luton)
  • Wed 13th Nov, 5-7pm, room tbc (Luton)
  • Wed 20th Nov, 5-7pm, room tbc (Luton)
  • Wed 27th Nov, 5-7pm, room tbc (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