Academic skills and development

There is a wealth of services available to support the development of your academic skills while studying with us. We can help you to achieve your personal, academic and professional potential through group-based learning workshops, one-to-one appointments and our variety of online resources.

Workshops

We run a variety of workshops to support your studies, including revision cafés where you can talk about revision strategies and preparing for exams. Examples of the types of workshops we run include:

  • Academic language and style
  • Using sources properly: how to cite and when to reference
  • Making the most of your feedback
  • First-class writing
  • Developing your argument.

Drop-ins and appointments

Sessions are available during term time and our staff can support you with a host of skills including academic writing, referencing, planning assignments and revision techniques.

Mathematics and statistics advice

We offer advice to all students from all disciplines who are having trouble with any mathematics or statistics problem. This impartial guidance is provided face-to-face via drop-ins and appointments in a safe non-judgemental environment.

Online resources

We have a suite of online resources that offer guidance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These include videos, tutorials and written guidelines on how to complete your assignments. 

Specialised programmes

Evidence suggests that enhancing your personal and professional skills assists your transition between levels (e.g. from further education to higher education, and from first to second year). Therefore, we have specialised programmes that you can get involved in.

Peer Assisted Writing Scheme (PAWS)

PAWS is an initiative that helps first and second year undergraduates with their university writing. Upon application, first and second year students will be paired up with a trained final year undergraduate writing mentor who will provide them with personal writing guidance and advice.  

Surrey's Top Achievers Recognised and Supported (STARS)

This is an innovative development programme designed to identify the needs of, and offer support to, high achieving second-year and final-year students at the University of Surrey.

Sprint

Sprint is the ground-breaking professional development programme for undergraduate women of all ages, which addresses the study and career issues faced by women at university regardless of background.

Surrey Undergraduate Research Journal (SURJ)

This is a multi-disciplinary online journal that showcases quality work produced by University of Surrey undergraduate students.