Writing Advice for International UG and PGT Students
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught international students from all colleges can make an appointment or attend one of our classes to talk about anything related to their academic development, skills, and writing.
We can advise on understanding and developing in the academic context at the University of Glasgow, for example understanding assignment criteria and core concepts like ‘criticality’. We also offer advice and resources on academic skills such as effective reading, presentations, intercultural group work, and academic writing.
We can advise you on current unmarked work, including helping you in how you:
- plan your assignment
- research and use your sources
- develop your argument
- write and edit your work
- maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism
We can advise you within the context of your subject, but we're unable to advise on specific content. Similarly, we will encourage your ability to edit and assess your work and, therefore, cannot offer proof reading.
We can also advise you on past assignments, and their feedback, to help you to use that feedback to improve your writing.
Our service is for undergraduate students and postgraduate taught students. Postgraduate research students should contact researcher-development@glasgow.ac.uk instead.
Semester Two Timetable
Early Stages Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=15181
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 21st January | 17:00-18:00 | An Introduction to Doing a Dissertation | This class introduces students to key features and requirements of dissertations as well as their benefits. | G59 (LT) Kelvin Hall |
| Wednesday 22nd January | 17:00-18:00 | Writing a Research Proposal | This class looks at the purpose, structure and key content of research proposals, which are often required before beginning a dissertation or other extensive research project. | 201 (Flat Hall) McIntyre Building |
| Tuesday 28th January | 17:00-18:00 | Identifying your Research Gap | This class explores the types of research gap and how to identify the gap for your dissertation. | G59 (LT) Kelvin Hall |
| Wednesday 29th January | 17:00-18:00 | Developing your Research Methods | This class discusses how to select the most appropriate methodology for your dissertation. | 201 (Flat Hall) McIntyre Building |
| Tuesday 4th February | 17:00-18:00 | The Supervision Process | This class outlines core aspects of working with a dissertation supervisor, looking at expectations on the students and supervisors, and how to make the most of these relationships. | G59 (LT) Kelvin Hall |
| Wednesday 5th February | 17:00-18:00 | Starting the Literature Review | This class looks at how to start searching for literature on your research topic, the key features of literature reviews, and ways to find the 'gap' in research that you are contributing to. | 201 (Flat Hall) McIntyre Building |
| Tuesday 11th February | 17:00-18:00 | Using Language in your Dissertation | This class discusses how to make appropriate use of language when writing your dissertation, considering important aspects such as tone and signposting. | G59 (LT) Kelvin Hall |
| Wednesday 12th February | 17:00-18:00 | Planning your Dissertation's Structure | This class discusses how to plan your dissertation's structure to ensure a clear argument. | 201 (Flat Hall) McIntyre Building |
Writing Groups for Taught Postgraduate (Masters) Students
We invite postgradutate taught (Masters) students from all academic disciplines to participate in our new Peer Academic Writing Group.
Using a friendly, community-focused approach, these sessions invite students at all stages of the writing process to bring along an excerpt from their work-in-progress to share and receive feedback.
All genres and forms of writing are welcome, from essays, to reflective writing, to long form writing (dissertations, etc.).
This is a great way to develop your academic writing and feedback will focus on core areas of interest in all academic writing, such as focus, organisation, referencing, tone/word choice, and more.
The discussions are moderated by Dr Mona O'Brien (Effective Learning Adviser) and Bob Imbur (Peer Learning Facilitator).
Spaces are limited, so please book using the links below. Students are welcome to attend as many groups as they would like to.
| Date | Time | Booking Link | Location |
| Wednesday 29th January | 10:00-11:00 | ||
| Wednesday 5th February | |||
| Wednesday 12th February | |||
| Wednesday 19th February | |||
| Wednesday 26th February | |||
| Wednesday 5th March | |||
| Wednesday 12th March | |||
| Wednesday 19th March | |||
| Wednesday 26th March |
Pre-recorded classes and online materials
Academic Citizenship (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=27830
| Date | Time | Title | Description | Zoom Link |
| 5th November | 17:00-18:00 | Becoming an Academic Reader | Strategies for effective academic reading to enhance learning, including how to select reading, manage reading time and read evaluatively. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/85814683624 (Meeting ID: 858 1468 3624) |
| 6th November | 17:00-18:00 | Understanding and Preparing for Assignments | How to effectively understand and fulfill assigment requirements. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/82257246585 (Meeting ID: 822 5724 6585) |
| 7th November | 17:00-18:00 | Ownership of Knowledge and Avoiding Plagiarism | Explains the definitions of plagiarism at the University of Glasgow and how to avoid plagiarism in academic work. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/s/85164155220 (Meeting ID: 851 6415 5220) |
| 11th November | 17:00-18:00 | Academic Discourse | Explains academic discourse and discusses how to identify the ways your academic community communicates. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/s/83020785675 (Meeting ID: 830 2078 5675) |
| 12th November | 17:00-18:00 | Introduction to Being Critical | What does it mean to be critical and analytical in academic work and how to achieve this. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/85289427525 (Meeting ID: 852 8942 7525) |
Past live classes
Download slides and access further readings, quizzes, recordings etc. (where available) - see the Moodle link above each timetable.
International Students' Starter Pack
> https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=39353
The International Students' Starter Pack is a shared resource for students and staff. Each section contains a themed video of students speaking about their experiences of undertaking a postgraduate taught degree at the University of Glasgow and relevant resources for staff and students on that topic. The core topics covered by the resource are:
- Expectations & Experiences
- Time Management
- Assessments @UofG
- Writing a Dissertation
- Advice for New Students
Academic Community Workshops (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=27830
| Date | Time | Title | Description | Room |
| 8th October | 11:00-12:00 | Planning to get the most from your studies | Developing skills to effectively plan your time to complete assignments and study effectively wihile maintaining work-life balance. | Boyd Orr, Room 222 (Lecture Theatre 2) |
| 9th October | 11:00-12:00 | Becoming a Critical Reader | Developing skills to analytically read and evaluate academic texts. | James McCune Smith, Room 641 |
| 10th October | 11:00-12:00 | Incorporating Evidence in Academic Writing | How to incorporate evidence in academic assignments as a foundation for effective analyses and arguments. | Boyd Orr, Room 222 (Lecture Theatre 2) |
| 15th October | 11:00-12:00 | Reading for Language | How we can use our academic reading to develop and strengthen our academic writing, style and tone. | Boyd Orr, Room 222 (Lecture Theatre 2) |
| 16th October | 11:00-12:00 | Creating Context in Essay Writing | How to effectively contextualise and frame your academic work to strengthen its coherence and argumentation. | James McCune Smith, Room 641 |
| 17th October | 11:00-12:00 | Demonstrating Authority in Writing | Explores why and how to demonstrate your authority and credibility in your work to produce convincing assignments. | Boyd Orr, Room 222 (Lecture Theatre 2) |
| 22nd October | 11:00-12:00 | Constructing an Effective Argument | Developing skills to construct an effective argument in your academic writing. | Boyd Orr, Room 222 (Lecture Theatre 2) |
| 23rd October | 11:00-12:00 | You and Your Academic Development | Developing skills for furthering your development as a scholar in your field and academic problem-solving | James McCune Smith, Room 641 |
Dr Amber Hinde
Amber recently completed a PhD in English Language & Linguistics, with a focus on rhetoric and genre. She has previously supported international students in roles with the International Summer School, International Student Support, and English for Academic Study.
Prior to working with SLD, Amber was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Critical Studies. She now coordinates the ‘Power of Language’ module on T2G, the transition course for incoming undergraduate students at the University of Glasgow.
Room 317
McMillan Reading Room
University Avenue
University of Glasgow
G12 8QQ
0141 330 6700
Dr Mona O'Brien
Mona works with international students from all subject areas in classes, workshops, and individually, supporting their development of effective learning, reading, research and writing practices. Additionally, she works to create and expand SLD's online resources.
Before joining SLD, Mona was a postdoctoral researcher at the Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel (2021) and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in History, Information Studies, Comparative Literature and German Culture at the University of Glasgow (2018-2021). She has a PhD in History from the University of Glasgow (2019).
Teaching requests
To find out what teaching she can offer on your course, please email Mona.
Room 317
McMillan Reading Room
University Avenue
University of Glasgow
G12 8QQ
0141 330 3357