About the Skills Centre

The Skills Centre offers inclusive academic skills development to all students at SHU. We offer group sessions, drop-ins, and 1-1 appointments for all students to help you to develop your academic skills throughout your studies. 

Some of our most popular topics include:

• Assignment planning
• Critical writing
• Presentation skills
• Research planning
• Time management
• Literature reviews
• Progressing through your studies

All group sessions and drop-ins are online, but if booking a 1-1 appointments you can select from a choice of on-campus or online or phone options.

The Skills Centre can help all students to develop their academic skills. See our FAQs to find out how we can support your skills development, and explore the site menu above to book onto workshops, feedback seminars and tutorials, and find useful resources, and great study tips.
 

We recognise that structural disadvantage is present for the global majority and as a Skills team we are fully committed to ensuring that our policies, procedures, and practices actively reduce the degree awarding gap, challenge and dismantle inequalities and create a sense of wellbeing and belonging for our students.

If you need to get in touch:

 Email: skillscentre@shu.ac.uk
 Twitter: @HallamSkills

Please go to our Information for Staff to find out about our support for staff and students, our latest news, and more about how we work.

See below for a summary of the sessions that we offer, and use our what’s on section to see which sessions are coming up in the next couple of weeks. You can also contact us to request a webinar on a specific theme if you don’t see it in the calendar.

Webinars and workshops

These group sessions focus on particular topics such as Planning and Structuring, Critical Thinking, Reflective Writing, or Presentation Skills.  These are generally online, using Blackboard Collaborate (or Zoom for larger sessions). The sessions include examples and activities to help to explain concepts, and you can ask questions via the text chat functionality to check your understanding.  The presentation slides are sent out in advance and additional useful resources are sent out after the session.  Find and book for forthcoming sessions in the What's on section.

Virtual drop-ins - every Wednesday, 4-6pm

Do you have a quick question about your studies or research?

• Searching for information about your assignment topic
• Structuring your references
• Starting to plan your essay
• Looking to develop your critical writing
• Choosing the correct tool for statistical analysis
• Developing your research skills
• Trying to format a PowerPoint presentation

Come along to our virtual drop-in sessions for a 15 minute 1-1 chat with an expert – instant answers to all your questions, all in one place!

No need to book - just drop in here: https://bit.ly/library-dropin

1-1 appointments

If you’re not sure where to start or find group sessions are not for you, book a 30 minute tutorial to develop your skills. These are tailored sessions covering all aspects of academic skills. You can learn how to study more effectively, improve organisation, academic skills and confidence. We can also share online resources and book you onto further sessions that could be useful.

You can find and book for forthcoming 1-1s via our What's on section.

How do I find and book for skills webinars, and quick query drop-ins or 1-1s?

You can easily see what is coming up with the What's On section, which is updated on a daily basis, but our events and appointments are hosted by and booked via UniHub.

What is Unihub?

UniHub is a system which hosts bookings for a range of services across the university.  Our 1-1s are shown in the Appointments section in UniHub, and our group webinars and drop-ins are shown under the Events section.

How do I find and book for sessions directly in UniHub?

Search for our webinars in UniHub by going to the Events section and typing "Skills Centre" into the search box.  Check the location for the event when booking.

Search for our 1-1s in UniHub by going to the Appointments page, and typing "Academic Skills" into the topics filter.  When booking appointments you can select from a range of topics, and choose whether you want to attend face to face, online, or via telephone.

How to cancel or amend a booking

Once you have booked, you’ll get an email reminding you to attend. If you can’t attend please cancel, so that your place can be made available to another student who may be on a waiting list.

Log in to UniHub and select either the Appointment tab and then My bookings, or select the Events tab and then My bookings. You can then select which appointment or event you want to cancel and click Cancel booking.

For further help see the UniHub guide.  We hope to see you at a future session.

The Skills Centre at City Campus

City Campus is in the centre of the city and close to the train station. See Maps for City Campus, and find Adsetts Library on the City Campus Map.

Entrance to Adsetts Library 

At Adsetts Library, 1-1 Appointments will usually be in Room 6.01 at the back left of Level 6.

Map of Skills Centre sessions at Adsetts Library

The Skills Centre at Collegiate Campus

Collegiate Campus is to the west of the city centre. See Maps for Collegiate Campus, and find Collegiate Library on the Collegiate Campus Map.

The Skills Centre within Collegiate Library

At Collegiate Library, most 1-1s will be in C019a, or C019b.  You can wait in the Library Reception area until the time of your appointment.

Map of Skills Centre sessions at Collegiate Library