Library Service Blog

Welcome to our new International Students from our Student Skills Ambassador

Finally! You made it!!

Congratulations and welcome to Sheffield Hallam University, the Applied Knowledge University.

My name is Grace Fakile and I am an international MSc Accounting and Finance student and a Skills Ambassador. It is with great joy that I welcome all international students to our great University, and it is with utmost certainty and assurance in my heart that you would be glad for choosing Hallam at the end of your programme!

At Hallam, learning goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. It encompasses your ability to apply what you are being taught to real life situations which ultimately prepares you for the global workplace after your studies.

One of the foremost things you will find about Hallam is that the style of teaching and education may differ from your home country as you will be required to engage with your course at a very high level. You will also be required to write, analyse and evaluate matters critically. This aspect of critical writing is one that takes many international students by surprise in their first encounter with Hallam. I was not an exception as well, but thanks to the Skills Centre! With the plethora of resources available at the Skills Centre, I was able to adjust to the UK style and in particular the critical writing style of Hallam.

At the Skills Centre and in the Library, there are various resources ranging from webinars on critical writing to referencing to guidelines on writing assignments, SkillsCheck, RefWorks, Studiosity and opportunity to book a one-to-one appointment with the Academic Skills Advisors.

One of the webinars at the Skills Centre that international students are encouraged to attend upon arrival is the Success at Level 7 Skills Writing Gym Programme, which is targeted at Masters students. Step-by-step guidance on writing assignments and particularly dissertations are explained in the simplest terms. Guidelines on how to write research proposals and use correct statistical techniques are also part of the highlights. The session will also involve a touch of goal setting, tricks on how best to make use of the library and digital skills in the University. 

Just a click to visit our website and you will be opened to a world of abundant resources at the Skills Centre to help you in your new journey as a SHU student.

On behalf of the Skills Centre, I say, once again, you are welcome to Sheffield Hallam University!

Grace