Effective Learning Service | Study Here | Queen Margaret University

The Effective Learning Service (ELS) offers guidance and support to all students who wish to develop their academic writing and study skills. Our aim is to help you become as self-reliant as possible as you progress through your degree programmes here at QMU.

You can arrange individual appointments to talk about any study issues you have; you can also book to attend our weekly workshops and classes.

You can do both of these at: https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els

Our door is always open for you to drop in and have a chat or to browse through our guides and resources.

We look forward to seeing you!

Getting in Touch With Us

What happens in an appointment?

An ELS advisor will discuss any concerns you have, such as taking notes, reading effectively, planning and structuring essays or exam techniques; and then work out various strategies to help.

The ELS does not proof-read or check completed essays – the aim of the sessions is for you to build up the skills and confidence you need to tackle academic tasks successfully yourself.

Appointments will usually be held in room 1153. One session is enough in many cases, but students often have several sessions over a semester.

How to book an appointment?

The best way is to choose a day and time which suits you and book it at: https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els

If you need to get in touch for any other reason then just send an email message to:

ELS@qmu.ac.uk or ELSinternational@qmu.ac.uk

Workshops and Classes

Study Skills Workshops

Do you want to find out

what ‘studying’ is all about?
tips and strategies for independent learning?
effective ways to plan, write and research?

The workshops below are small, informal, and aimed at undergraduate students.

To book a place, go to https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els

NEW* An in-depth 5-week course on essay writing

Give yourself a head-start with your assignments this semester by getting to grips with essay writing.

This course will cover academic style, writing introductions, conclusions and main paragraphs, and how to incorporate sources effectively into your written work.

Suitable for undergraduates, and taught postgraduates who haven’t written essays for a while.

Wednesdays 12.15 – 1.15 in Weeks 4 – 8

Workshop times

Topic	Day/time	Date
Making the most of lectures	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	25^th September
Writing at Master’s level (PGT only)	Thurs 4.15 – 5.15	26^th September
Reading and note-making	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	1^st October
Organising your study	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	8^th October
Academic writing	Tues 2.15 – 3.15	8^th October
Essay writing	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	22^nd October
Giving great presentations	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	29^th October
Writing at Master’s level (PGT only)	Mon 4.15 – 5.15	4^th November
Report writing	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	5^th November
Critical thinking/critical writing	Weds 12.15 – 1.15	6^th November
Exams: revising and surviving	Tues 12.15 – 1.15	12^th November
Exams: revising and surviving	Weds 12.15 – 1.15	20^th November
Learning from feedback	Weds 12.15 – 1.15	13^th November

Please book using this link: https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els

Contact: ELS@qmu.ac.uk

If you are unable to come to any of these workshops, or are interested in a particular topic but can't find a workshop on it, do contact us. We can do our best to organise extra workshops for small groups at times that suit you.

Drop-in

If you are looking for some quick advice or guidance, you can drop in and see us in room 1153. There should be someone there Monday to Friday, between 9.00 and 16.30. There is a supply of study guides, and if we are free, it is possible to have a short consultation with one of us.

If you drop in to the ELS and we are not there for any reason, or a workshop is running, do email us with your query and we shall get back to you.

Guides and Resources

Guides and Resources

The leaflets and the basic one-page guides below are also available at the Effective Learning Service, room 1153, in the LRC.

The LRC has a wide range of study skills books available in individual subject areas.

Leaflets:

Quick guides:

Key study websites at QMU:

See our Library section for useful study and information skills.

Write and Cite: The QM Guide to the Harvard Style of Referencing.

Other key study websites:

Academic Phrasebank - A site containing lots of examples of academic English arranged by function.

International English Language Support

Effective Learning Service for international students

The Effective Learning Service for international students at QMU is here to provide support for all students wishing to develop their English language skills.

Where are we?

We are based in room 1153 in the Learning Resource Centre – just follow the signs.

What do we offer?

Individual appointments, in-sessional Academic Writing Classes, and a Pre-sessional English Course

What happens in an individual appointment?

During an appointment the tutor will work with you to identify your specific needs and develop a plan of action. We can offer personal help with any aspect of your coursework, study skills or exam preparation. We can help you improve but we will not complete your assignment for you or proof read your work.

It would be useful if you could send us by email any writing you want us to look at in advance. If the piece of writing is over 1,500 words long please indicate clearly which portion of it you would like to be considered. We would also like you to send us the assignment title, instructions and any marking criteria that you have been given.

To book an appointment go to: https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els

Pre-sessional English Course

This course is designed to prepare non-native speakers of English for university study in Britain. For more information about this course, or to book a place see Pre-sessional English Course.

How to contact us

Come along to the Effective Learning Service at the LRC and we can make an appointment at a time which suits you. Alternatively, you can make an appointment by email at the following address: ELSinternational@qmu.ac.uk