Effective Learning Service

How can I book an appointment for ELS support?

We use StudentCentral for bookings.

How often can I book an appointment?

In the interest of fairness, please book with only one ELS advisor at a time, once per fortnight.

I cannot see any appointments listed, even if I look ahead…

Our appointments tend to get booked up quite quickly, which is likely to be why none are showing. Emailing us at ELS@qmu.ac.uk or ELSInternational@qmu.ac.uk can be a good way forward. We upload our availability around 2-3 weeks in advance, and each advisor has different working patterns, so bear that in mind if looking ahead, or for a specific day.

Can I book with an international or home advisor if I do not fit that category?

You can, but please notify the advisor in your booking comments. They will do their best, but may have to cancel your booking and prioritise an under-served group of students.

Do I need to have a draft-in-progress to book an appointment?

It is beneficial to have something to share with an advisor, and this can be a previously submitted assignment, including at college. We can support you without a draft, but please mention some specific academic skills when booking, such as essay writing or time planning.

It is hard to find a slot that fits my studies and placements…

Try one of our ‘email’ appointments, which you can select within our ‘Online’ session types listed on StudentCentral; you can then look over our feedback whenever it suits you.

Can you do a ‘quick check’ or proofread of my essay or reference list?

ELS supports you to become more confident and independent in your academic work and is not a ‘proofreading’ service. Nor is Studiosity, which you can access via the Hub, but they can be useful for feedback, including with grammar. You can submit work to them 24/7. We do welcome drop-ins at ELS, but more sizeable queries will tend to require an appointment.

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 proofread 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 using this link.  

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

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, although postgraduates can join too if there is space available. 

Workshops take place either on-campus or via Collaborate and places can be booked on Student Central, or for further information contact els@qmu.ac.uk.

Book a place 

Guides and Resources

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

Leaflets:

• Managing and Organising your Time
• Active Reading
• Planning and Writing Essays
• Making Effective Notes
• Presentations 
• Reflection
• Critical thinking
• Report writing 
• Revision 
• Exams
• Planning a critical review
• Writing a literature review 

Quick guides:

• Keywords used in assignment titles
• Planning essays
• Writing and structuring assignments
• Reading for study 
• Dealing with lectures
• Groupwork
• Coping with stress
• Memory tips
• Revision tips
• Exams tips
• Academic writing
• Editing and proofreading
• The paragraph
• The sentence
• Punctuation one
• Punctuation two

Key study websites at QMU:

See our Library section for useful study and information skills.

The Coming from College area of the website has a collection of seminars and podcasts covering a great variety of topics connected with academic life and study.  

Other key study websites:

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

These short videos present recorded advice on some of the topics covered in our workshops.  

•  Reading and note-taking 
•  Writing and structuring essays
•  Using sources and referencing 
•  Academic style

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.

Book an appointment. 

Academic Skills Course for NEW International students

ELS international is running an optional in-sessional academic skills programme aimed at NEW Post Graduate students who have come to QMU this January. It will be delivered online on Thursdays from 4.30 to 5.30 pm. and it will run for 5 weeks with the first session being on Thursday 2nd February.

If you would like to join this online course, use your student e-mail account and contact ELSInternational@qmu.ac.uk  to request your place. In your email please confirm you are a new student at QMU (January 2023 start) and say which programme you are studying on. The number of students is limited to 35, so make sure you book early.

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