EF3060 - Academic Literacy: Understanding and Producing Scholarly Work

What will I learn on this module?

This module will refine academic literacy—essential for effective engagement in academia. You will develop skills to comprehend, analyse, and critically evaluate complex academic texts, refining written expression within formal discourse. The emphasis will be on elevating your English language skills to an upper-intermediate (B2) level to allow independent engagement with scholarly work once on your degree programme. By the end of the module, you will possess foundational skills for successful engagement with textual discourse and for effective written communication within your chosen field.

How will I learn on this module?

This module adopts an interactive approach to cultivate critical reading and writing skills aligned at upper-intermediate (B2) level. Through engagement in practical activities, workshops, and discussions, you will learn to identify main ideas, critically evaluate academic sources, and express ideas coherently in written form. You will receive personalised feedback on your progress and benefit from one-to-one sessions with tutors to enhance your language proficiency.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will have access to texts and materials on the module Blackboard site.

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. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Identify main ideas and details in complex written discourse

2. Interpret, describe and evaluate information from various sources, including articles and reports.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Clearly communicate knowledge and thoughts through planned and well-structured written responses that are supported by evidence

4. Demonstrate linguistic range, accuracy and control at B2 level proficiency.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate a global awareness by exploring key challenges and their implications

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment process

You will complete a combination of self-assessed and submitted tasks that help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement throughout the module, which will be supplemented by peer and/or tutor-led feedback.

Summative assessment process

You will complete a separate portfolio of tasks for each of the key skills involved in the module, reading and writing.

These portfolios will comprise in-semester tasks that give an indication of your mastery and engagement at key points in the module, as well as end of semester examinations under timed conditions that determine your overall achievement against the module learning outcomes.

[All MLOs]

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module will advance your English language and academic literacy skills in preparation to study on programmes requiring upper-intermediate (B2) language level. You will learn essential reading skills to identify main ideas and details in complex written discourse, vital for engaging with academic content. In addition, there will be an emphasis on fostering critical thinking for interpreting and synthesising information, enhancing your ability to navigate study within a UK university. The writing skills you will develop will allow you to demonstrate critical engagement and structure academic work coherently using evidence-based arguments, preparing you for study on your chosen degree programme.

Course info

Credits 0

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 months Full Time
2 other options available

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start June 2027 or June 2028

Fee Information

Module Information

Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

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.

Images and video

The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

Useful Links

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

Admissions Terms and Conditions
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.

Accuracy of information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

How your course is delivered

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.

Changes to your course

Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.

If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.

Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.

Contact time

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.

Images and video

The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.

The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.

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