Learning Development Centre (SSE)
Welcome to School of Science and Engineering (SSE)'s Learning Development Centre (LDC).
We support all undergraduate, postgraduate taught and international students in the School of Science and Engineering and we’re here to help you maximise your potential by supporting your academic development and study practice skills.
Our four experienced Academic Development Tutors work with your teaching staff to ensure you’ll be supported throughout your time at GCU via embedded classes, but we also provide workshops and individual appointments as required.
Support for all students
Embedded sessions
Working with your module leaders, we join your course to build your academic skills connected to what you’re working on in class. From helping you understand how to get the most from your coursework brief to giving you strategies on how to approach your writing or set helpful goals, each class is tailored to you. Information about these sessions will depend on your programme of studies and will be communicated to you via the relevant project module’s dedicated GCU Learn area closer to the time.
Online resources
Trimester C resit support workshops
You’re not alone if you have to resubmit an assignment. The LDC runs a six-week refresher course, designed to help you develop the academic skills to succeed. These sessions also include time to ask non-subject specific questions, get clarification, or guidance on your writing skills. Dates and times are announced at the start of Trimester C on the school’s GCU Learn Page, which can be accessed via the Workshops/Events link below.
Transitioning series workshops
Transitioning to GCU from school, college, or work can be overwhelming. These workshops are specifically designed to provide you with the study skills needed to succeed at GCU. Run over Tri A and B, dates and times are announced at the start of each trimester on the school’s GCU Learn page. Indicative topics might include:
- Transitioning to University
- Managing your time wisely
- Writing fundamentals
- Exam preparation
- Reading fundamentals
- Introduction to effective group work
- Developing your presentation skills
- Polishing your writing: An introduction to editing skills
These online sessions are delivered via Collaborate Ultra on the School of Science and Engineering students' module.
Dissertation writing series
Working on your capstone project or dissertation can be exciting and challenging at the same time. You will need to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of your chosen topic while condensing that information critically in your text. As you start your project, you may have various questions on how to best approach the writing aspect. The dissertation writing series is aimed at supporting you on this journey. Sessions are aimed at undergraduate and taught master's students working on their dissertations across SSE. Some of the topics covered may include:
- Time manage your project
- Writing a project proposal
- Writing introductions and conclusions
- Common mistakes in dissertations
These online session are delivered via Collaborate Ultra on the School of Science and Engineering students' module.
Academic writing for master's
All taught postgraduate students will be enrolled in the Academic Writing for Postgraduates module. This module offers weekly online workshops and core resources for academic writing, language conventions and effective communication. Additionally, sessions are designed to actively integrate and develop key workplace skills such as critical and systems thinking and a global mindset. Announcements will be sent out weekly. Topics to include:
- International: An academic and cultural transition
- Step up to Masters: The Essentials
- Academic Writing: A Toolkit for Masters
- Strategies for Mastering Coursework
- Reading and Analysing Academic Text
- Thinking Critically: Skills for Reading and Writing
- Referencing and Integration of Sources.
Our Global writing cafes provide an informal and welcoming space for international students to drop in and ask questions on academic writing and language.
There are various ways in which the LDC can support you, ranging from academic writing, dissertations, report writing, managing your time at GCU, understanding feedback and much more.
Have a look at our list of A-Z's of all the different ways we can support you during your time at GCU.
