Academic English Modules

Level 4, one semester, 20 credits or additional non-credit-bearing support

Academic English for Disciplinary Study (4ALDS) is designed for Level 4 undergraduate students who want to develop the academic communication skills needed to succeed in their studies.

You will develop skills in:

• academic reading and writing 
• structuring essays and developing academic arguments 
• finding, evaluating and integrating academic sources 
• paraphrasing, referencing and developing your academic voice 
• critical analysis 
• preparing and delivering academic presentations 
• using Generative AI critically and responsibly 

How can I take this module?

There are two ways to take 4ALDS:

1. As a 20-credit option module
   If 4ALDS is available as an option on your degree programme, you can select it as a 20-credit Level 4 module.
    
2. As an additional support module
   If you do not have space for a 20-credit option module, you may be able to take 4ALDS as an additional non-credit-bearing support module. You can choose the class that best fits your timetable and attend one three-hour session per week:

• Group 1: Monday, 10am–1pm – Regent Street Campus 
• Group 2: Wednesday, 10am–1pm – Regent Street Campus 
• Group 3: Thursday, 2–5pm – Regent Street Campus 

Contact the Academic English team at [email protected] to enrol.

Level 4, one semester, 20 credits or additional non-credit-bearing support

Academic Spoken Communication Skills is designed for international, exchange and study abroad students who want to develop their confidence and effectiveness when communicating in academic and professional settings.

You will develop skills in:

• participating confidently in seminars and group discussions 
• expressing, explaining and responding to ideas clearly 
• giving effective academic presentations 
• developing appropriate academic and professional spoken language 
• communicating effectively in meetings and other group settings 
• developing confidence, fluency and interaction skills 

How can I take this module?

There are two ways to take 4ESOL:

1. As a 20-credit option module
   If 4ESOL is available as an option on your degree programme, you can select it as a 20-credit Level 4 module.
2. As an additional support module
   If you do not have space for a 20-credit option module, you may be able to take 4ESOL as an additional non-credit-bearing support module.

You can choose the class that best fits your timetable and attend one three-hour session per week:

• Tuesday, 10am–1pm – Regent Street Campus 
• Wednesday, 10am–1pm – Regent Street Campus 

Contact the Academic English team at [email protected] to enrol. 

10 weeks, one semester, non-credit-bearing support module

Academic English for Postgraduate Study is designed to help you develop the academic communication skills and strategies needed to succeed at postgraduate level.

Through practical and interactive sessions, you will develop skills in:

• reading academic research critically and efficiently 
• structuring and developing effective postgraduate academic writing 
• integrating sources, referencing and developing your academic voice 
• understanding and adapting to different postgraduate assessment genres 
• preparing and delivering effective academic presentations 
• planning your dissertation or end-of-course project 
• using Generative AI critically and responsibly to support your studies 

The module also includes practical workshops and communication clinics, where you can work on your own assignments, presentations or research projects and receive formative feedback.

Key details

•    Duration: 10 weeks 
•    Classes: One two-hour session per week 
•    Credit: Non-credit-bearing support module 
•    Delivery: Face-to-face and live online options 
•    Availability: Semester 1 and Semester 2 

Westminster Award

The module is linked to the Westminster Award. If you attend at least 7 of the 10 sessions, you will receive:

•    points towards the Westminster Award 
•    a Certificate of Attendance 

Semester 1 – 2026–27

Choose one class per week:

• Monday: 10am–12pm – Harrow Campus 
• Monday: 2–4pm – Regent Street Campus or online 
• Tuesday: 2–4pm – Regent Street Campus 
• Wednesday: 10am–12pm – Online 
• Wednesday: 2–4pm – Marylebone Campus 
• Thursday: 1–3pm – Cavendish Campus 
• Thursday: 2–4pm – Regent Street Campus 
• Friday: 10am–12pm – Regent Street Campus or online 
• Friday: 2–4pm – Online 

Classes begin in the week commencing 5 October 2026.

How to enrol

To request a place, email [email protected] and include:

• your student number 
• the course you are studying 
• your first preferred class day and time 
• your second preferred class day and time 

We will allocate you to a group based on your preferences, timetable and availability within each class.

Academic English for Doctoral Researchers is designed to support doctoral researchers in developing the advanced academic writing skills required for PhD-level research.

The module will help you to:

• develop greater confidence and precision in your academic writing 
• identify and address recurring language issues in your own work 
• develop an appropriate academic style and voice 
• communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively 
• understand and apply the academic writing conventions of your discipline 
• develop and refine writing from your own doctoral research 

The module is open to home and international doctoral researchers and is funded by the Doctoral School where participation has been recommended by your supervisor.

Key details

•    Format: Seven taught sessions and one individual tutorial 
•    Availability: Semester 1 and Semester 2 
•    Eligibility: Doctoral researchers in the first semester of the second year of their PhD 
•    Funding: Funded by the Doctoral School where recommended by your supervisor 

How to join

Speak to your supervisor if you are interested in taking this module. Participation requires a recommendation from your supervisor.