Build the academic skills you need for learning at university and ease your transition from school learning to higher education.
82,540 enrolled on this course
Duration
7 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Preparing for University
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Develop writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills for university study
Learning at a university level requires enhanced critical thinking skills, as well as being able to hold a supported, substantive argument and critically analyse sources or data.
On this course, you’ll build the foundations of these skills, so that you can prepare yourself for the challenges of this new learning environment.
You’ll hear from university lecturers on what they value in students and get advice on the more difficult aspects of learning at university.
At the end of each week, you’ll receive a summary of key skills, which you’ll find useful to refer back to as you start your university journey.
Syllabus
Week 1
Asking questions
Introduction to the course
This course will help you develop on appreciation of what university lecturers will be expecting of you as an undergraduate student.
The process of 'asking questions'
Here you will think about when and where to ask questions and why this is important.
Preparing for a lecture
Here you will consider what you could do before a lecture, how you might ask yourself questions relating to the material you are going to hear.
Questioning lecture material
Here we will explore questions in relation to lectures.
Week 1 summary
In this activity you will have a go at another five minute lecture, and assess yourself on how you approach the material.
Week 2
Independent study
Introduction to independent study
This week will concentrate on how to develop independent study skills which are crucial to success in the university learning environment.
Links between independent study and revision
In this activity you will explore the process which takes you from lecture notes to revision material, through your independent study.
Developing reading skills
In this activity you will consider how to approach extra reading, which you would do to supplement your notes from a lecture.
Reflecting on independent study and revision
Here you will find out what lecturers think about independent study and revision.
Week 3
Structuring Writing
Introduction to structure
Structuring your thoughts, your writing, your ideas and your arguments are integral to higher education.
Having an opinion
Here you will explore the role of your opinion in how you would structure your writing at university.
The importance of good paragraph structure
Structuring paragraphs is crucial to structuring an argument. If you can master paragraph structure before you arrive at university you will find the move to a university-style essay much more approachable.
Structure from a university perspective
Here you will learn about lecturer's views on structuring work at university, and think about how to work at a higher level in higher education.
Week 3 summary
Here you will consider some questions on a topic and complete some exercises and then answer some questions about how you approached the task.
Week 4
Persuasive writing
Learning what persuasive writing is all about
An overview of persuasive writing and its fundamentals.
Getting started to write persuasively
A starting point for persuasive writing.
Now over to you
Time to put your learning into practice.
Communicating in an academic or professional environment
How best to communicate in education and professionally.
Week 5
Textual analysis
Introduction to textual analysis
This week is all about analysing a text and thinking about the context in which it was written.
Reading the poem
Here you will explore some questions and then read the poem.
Identifying a sonnet
Here you are being asked to explore the relationship between the formal conventions of the sonnet and how our sonnet is written.
The idea of liberty in the poem
Here you will be asked to think about the ideas of confinement, liberty and what a prison might be in the poem.
About liberty
How to position yourself in relation to ideas around liberty
Studying the poem within its historical context
In the next step we will explore the importance of the French Revolution and its aftermath.
Producing a dialogue
Here you will be exploring producing a dialogue between ‘out of context’ and ‘in context’ readings.
Bringing the poem up to date
Here you will be able to consider the significance of ‘too much liberty’ to your own cultural moment.
Week 5 summary
Here you can reflect on the work that you have been doing this week.
Week 6
Academic currency
Introduction to academic currency
This week is about referencing; acknowledging the work of others and why this is so important to academics.
Discussing when to acknowledge the work of others
In this activity you will be thinking about the process of referencing, and have the chance to listen and comment on the views of others.
Thinking about referencing
Here you are going to be thinking about what information needs a reference with it.
Correcting wrongly referenced work
Correcting errors in referencing is a good way to try and understand what is good and bad practice.
Self assessment and summary
Here you can think about what you have learnt and how well you have taken messages on board.
Week 7
The power of data
Introduction to the power of data
This week you will learn about how data can be used in different subjects to support arguments, and look at your own approach to data.
Using data to support an argument
In this activity you will look at the different ways data can be used to support an argument.
Handling basic data
Being able to handle numbers is important in so many disciplines. Here you will revisit basic data manipulation.
Handling applied data
Being able to look at a problem and work out what basic numerical processes are needed is not always straightforward. Here you will have a go at solving some applied problems.
Working with visual representations of data
Graphs are used in disciplines that range from science and social sciences to humanities. In this activity you will study and create graphs.
Scenario: Planning your mission to Mars
In this activity, you'll use a series of skills and assess information to plan your mission to Mars.
Self assessment and summary
Here you can see how quickly you can tackle the basic maths questions and think about your own response to this topic.
Summary of the Prep for Uni course
Summary of the Prep for Uni course
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Understand the skills needed to do well at university
- Practice the key skills required for success at university
- Understand what lecturers value in their students, and what skills their students excel at and struggle with
- Locate top tips for coping with the university learning environment
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone considering studying at a university, or a similar higher education institution.
Additionally, learnings from this course can support studying for A-levels, BTECS or other post-16 courses, as well as access or foundation courses.
What do people say about this course?
Who will you learn with?
Dr Harriet Jones is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a National Teaching Fellow and Director of the PreUniversity Skills Programme
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $39.99 For your first month. Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 29 Jan 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$39.99
For your first month. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 29 Jan 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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