Effective Learning Service (ELS)
The Effective Learning Service (ELS) offers guidance and support to 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 Ò»±¾µÀ.
Online and In-Person Appointments
Both ELS and ELS International offer a mixture of online and in-person appointments. In an online appointment we communicate guidance and advice on your assignments via e-mail or Teams. If you have any follow up questions on the advice given, then just contact us by email.
If you have an appointment, then please try to send your work to us (along with the assignment brief if possible) at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment time. All in-person appointments will be in the ELS room (1153 in the LRC). We can only look at 1,500 words of writing per appointment. Please note that if you are an online Ò»±¾µÀ student, then you should email ELS@qmu.ac.uk to arrange your appointment.
Please book with only one ELS advisor at a time, once per fortnight, and do not send any work to us if you do not have an appointment.
New International Students
The ELSinternational Team is offering an optional in-sessional academic skills programme aimed at new international students, both at UnderGraduate and PostGraduate level, who are joining Ò»±¾µÀ in 2024 and for whom English is not a first language. If you would like to join this online course use your student email account to contact ELSinternational@qmu.ac.uk and request your place.
For UG students the first session is on Wednesday the 25th of September
For PG students the first session is on Friday the 27th of September
The course then runs every Wednesday from 2.00 to 3.00 pm. for UG students, or on Fridays from 11.00 to 12.00 pm. for PG students.
Places are limited so please book early at: ELSinternational@Ò»±¾µÀ.ac.uk
Study Skills Workshops
Regular study skills workshops on a wide range of topics will be run throughout the academic year. The workshops below are small, informal, and aimed at undergraduate students, although postgraduates can join too if there is space available. These workshops will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
Session |
Dates and times
|
|
---|---|---|
​Engaging with Lectures |
Wed 2nd October 1-2 pm ​ |
Thu 3rd October 11-12 pm |
Essay Planning ​ |
Mon 7th October 1-2 pm ​ |
Mon 14th October 11-12 pm |
Dissertations |
Wed 16th October 11-12 pm ​ |
Fri 18th October 1-2 pm |
Essay Writing |
Mon 21st October 11-12 pm ​ |
Mon 28th October 1-2 pm |
Literature Reviews ​ |
Wed 30th October 1-2 pm ​ |
Thu 31st October 11-12 pm |
​​Plagiarism and Turnitin |
Mon 4th November 11-12 pm ​ |
Mon 11th November 1-2 pm |
Writing and Study Space
This semester the Effective Learning Service is opening its doors (1153 in the LRC), every Tuesday afternoon 1-4pm, as a Writing and Study Space. Bring along an assignment you’re writing up, or something you’re reading through, and work alongside your peers in a focused, friendly and encouraging environment.
An ELS advisor will be present to facilitate the space and provide informal support. You can pop along at any point in the three hours without booking but, if you can, please on StudentCentral. The first session is on the .
Resit Programme
Every summer we also run a Resit Programme to help students to get through their resits successfully and to develop their academic skills and confidence for the following year. It is designed for undergraduate students, resitting modules as a second diet, but students sitting assessments as a first diet in August can also apply. This programme will run for two weeks starting on Wednesday 28th June.
Details and information on how to apply for the Resit Programme
Podcast of the Month
Listen to a short podcast on a different topic each month.
Listen to podcast on: Academic Writing
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I book an appointment for ELS support?
We use l for bookings.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How many words can you look at in a single session?
We can discuss up toÌý1500 words of your draft with you. If the overall assignment is longer than this, then it’s best to send us the key sections you want us to focus on.
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I have a draft, how should I send it?
You can either attach it as a Word document to the StudentCentral booking page or send it to the advisor you have booked with directly. Please include the assignment brief that matches up with your draft.
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When should I send my draft?
At least 24 hours in advance of your appointment time, if possible. If you do make changes closer to your slot, then it’s useful to send those too so we have the most up-to-date version.
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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.
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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 , which you can access via 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.
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. ÌýÌý
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?
If you need to get in touch for any other reason then just send an email message to:
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?
ELS runs regular study skills workshops on a wide range of topics throughout the academic year. The workshops are small, informal, and aimed at undergraduate students, although postgraduates can join too if there is space available.Ìý
Workshops take place either on-campus or via MS Teams and places can be booked on Student Central, or for further information contact els@qmu.ac.uk.
Guides and Resources
Guides and Resources
Leaflets:
- Managing and Organising your Time
- Active Reading
- Planning and Writing Essays
- Making Effective Notes
- PresentationsÌý
- Reflection
- Critical thinking
- Report writingÌý
- RevisionÌý
- Exams
- Planning a critical review
- Writing a literature reviewÌý
Quick guides:
- Keywords used in assignment titles
- Planning essays
- Writing and structuring assignments
- Reading for studyÌý
- 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
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The LRC also has a wide range of study skills books available in individual subject areas. Ìý
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Key study websites at Ò»±¾µÀ:
See our Library section for useful study and information skills.
The Library also runs a wide range of throughout the academic year on topics such as Harvard and APA referencing, how to use the website, and an introduction to reference managers.
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.ÌýÌý
Other key study websites:
- A site containing lots of examples of academic English arranged by function.
Video Guides
The ELS Three By Threes are a set of interlinked short videos, which break down key Study Skills topics into manageable steps. We currently have videos on five topics: An Introduction To Academic Culture, Positive Time Planning, Planning Assignments, Using Sources Effectively and Rethinking Reading.
If you are enrolled at Ò»±¾µÀ, the best way to access the 'Three By Threes' is by registering on .
If you have not yet enrolled at Ò»±¾µÀ, you can access the videos and resources via .
International English Language Support
Effective Learning Service for international students
The Effective Learning Service for international students at Ò»±¾µÀ 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 (both online and in person) and In-sessional Academic Writing Classes.
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.
If you would like to book an appointment then use the following link:
Please book with only one ELS advisor at a time, once per fortnight, and do not send any work to us if you do not have an appointment.
How to contact us
If you drop by the ELS office (room 1153 in the LRC), then if an ELS Advisor is free, they will be happy to have a quick chat with you about how we can support you. You can also contact us by email at: ELSInternational@qmu.ac.uk Ìý
ELS Support Enquiries
The ELS is based in room 1153 in the Library.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday
09.15 a.m. - 16.15 p.m.