Learning Development Centre (SSE)
Welcome to 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 up 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 time.
Online Resources
Tri-C Resit Support Workshops
In the event you have to resubmit an assignment, you’re not alone. 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 (accessed via ‘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 Uni
- Managing Your Time Wisely
- Writing Fundamentals
- Exam Prep
- Reading Fundamentals
- Introduction to Effective Group Work
- Developing Your Presentation Skills
- Polishing Your Writing: An Intro to Editing Skills
These online session are delivered via Collaborate Ultra on the School of Science and Engineering student’s 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 Masters 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 student’s module.
Academic Writing for Masters
A series of online workshops that break down some of the challenges facing Masters students in their postgraduate year. Students will be attached to a specific module for these workshops and topics/scheduling will be announced there but some indicative topics might include:
- Step Up to Masters
- Developing Academic Writing Skills
- Reading Academic Text & Notetaking
- Criticality: Skills for Reading & Writing
- Referencing and the Use of AI
- Writing a Literature Review
There are a 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 or list of A-Z's of all the different ways we can support you during your time at GCU.
