SC5000 - Skills for Academic Success in a UK University

What will I learn on this module?

You will develop your understanding of academic conventions in UK higher education aligned to your level of study, including expectations around critical analysis, structure, argumentation, evidencing, and referencing. The module focuses on developing communication strategies that will help you express your ideas clearly and coherently in written assignments and spoken activities. You will also reflect on your current academic and language skills and develop strategies for development ahead of your assessments.

How will I learn on this module?

Learning takes place through interactive workshops that combine tutor input with practical activities. You will engage with tasks that develop your academic communication skills, including analysing academic texts, practising academic writing, and participating in spoken activities. The module is designed to prepare you for the academic demands of UK university study, with skills and strategies that you can apply directly to your assessments.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

All teaching materials are made available on the module's electronic learning portal (eLP) site. You will be provided with a teaching and learning plan that outlines the sessions along with associated tasks and reading. You will also receive formative feedback on tasks completed during the module to support your development.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding (KU):
1. Develop understanding of UK higher education academic conventions and expectations
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):
2. Develop strategies for effective communication in academic contexts in the UK, including written assignments, oral presentations, and collaborative work
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Evaluate personal academic and language development needs and identify strategies for improvement

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment
You will be offered optional opportunities to complete formative tasks to gain feedback on your progress.

Summative assessment
The module will be assessed based on attendance, demonstrating your engagement with the learning. You will need to attend a minimum of 70% to pass the module, upon which you will receive recognition of completing the module on your degree transcript.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module supports students who have not previously studied in the UK higher education system to develop the skills needed for academic success on their programme. The module provides preparation for the academic demands of university study in the UK, helping you develop strategies for effective academic communication in written, oral, and collaborative contexts to aid with your assessments. You will explore UK academic conventions and expectations while reflecting on your own development needs and learning strategies for continued improvement.

Course info

UCAS Code N155

Credits 0

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

School Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2026 or September 2027

Fee Information

Module Information

Business and Entrepreneurship BA (Hons)

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

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northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support