The Library

Welcome to Leeds Beckett University. If you are an international student who has studied in another country outside of the UK, you may find that studying here is different than what you are used to. The Library Academic Support Team can help you understand these differences and help you improve the specific academic and English language skills you need to succeed on your chosen course.

Who are we and what do we do?

The Library Academic Support Team consists of staff who support students with the specialist academic skills needed for studying. We support students by:

• Providing resources on the Library website and Skills for Learning website.
• Running workshops on academic skills.
• Offering appointments where you can ask specific questions.
• Writing Study Skills modules

What are academic skills?

Academic skills are the skills you need for studying. You will need to learn about and develop different skills depending on your course. You may need to be familiar with some of the following academic skills:

• Finding information using Discover
• Referencing your work to avoid plagiarism
• Writing critically rather than descriptively
• Report writing and reflective writing
• Critical thinking
• Using and understanding statistics

Remember that you will be studying in English which may be an additional language for you. This is also an important skill, and you may need to develop specific knowledge and skills in the use of academic English too.

Why are academic skills important for you?

Academic skills and English Language skills are important because they are likely to affect your grades. Teaching and learning may be organised in a different way at Leeds Beckett. For example, you may be assessed by writing an essay rather than taking an exam. Communicating your ideas effectively using academic English is central to success in your assignments.

Where and when should you start?

You could complete this self-assessment worksheet to identify which skills to develop to support your academic success.

Then look at the Skills for Learning website to develop your knowledge and confidence.

You could come to one of our weekly EAL (English as an Additional Language) Drop-In Sessions. You can join a drop-in session, ask your questions and leave at any time. It’s a good idea to contact us before you start your first assessment on your course. You are likely to get a better grade in this assessment if you improve your academic skills and your English language skills.

You can also review the welcome presentation for international students from January 2022:

Tell us what you think

• Our Libraries at Headingley and City Campus (Sheila Silver Library) open 24/7 in term time.
• You need your Campus Card to use the Library. You receive this when you enrol. You must also wear a face covering, unless exempt.
• Print books, journals and newspapers are on open access. You can borrow using our self service machines or reserve via Click & Collect. We also have over a million electronic resources you can access on or off-campus accessed via our Discover search tool.
• Academic Librarians support the subjects we teach - take a look at the guides they have written to help you find the information you need.
• You can get 24/7 Library and IT advice by chat or phone; plus videos on our YouTube channel. And follow us on Twitter for all the latest news.

• Assistive software available in the Library can help you with your studies. Information, including tutorials and guides, is available under Student IT Support, Assistive software.