• University of Leeds

Skills to Succeed at University

Prepare for university and master academic skills that are essential for undergraduates studying in the UK.

4,876 enrolled on this course

Skills to Succeed at University

4,876 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Get a head start with your undergraduate studies by learning key academic skills

This two-week course is designed by experienced educators at the University of Leeds to help you transition to higher education smoothly. You’ll pick up top tips and first-hand advice on how to start and thrive at university from current students who came to the University of Leeds through different routes such as after completing a BTEC, A levels or as mature students.

Explore time management methods

Studying at university is different compared to studying at school or college. The biggest difference is having more control over how you spend your time and how you choose to learn.

After you assess how prepared you are to start your degree using university-style scenarios, you’ll learn effective time management methods in order to keep a work-life balance.

Learn effective note making

Independent study is essential in university and good note making will help you to retain information more easily, organise your thoughts, and plan for assignments.

As you learn some effective note making techniques, you’ll hear how our students access support services and what to do should you need help.

Improve your critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is a vital skill for success at university. After understanding what critical thinking skills you need, you’ll learn how to evaluate your sources and explore a toolkit to help you question what you read.

Master academic writing

Writing is a highly valued skill at university. On this course, you’ll learn what academic writing is and how to do it successfully. You will also get to practice yourself after seeing examples of undergraduate academic writing.

Make the most of it

You will also explore the new and exciting opportunities that you can get involved with so that you can make the most of your time as a student.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 6 seconds Studying at university is different to study at school or college. The biggest difference is having more control over how you spend your time and how you choose to learn. This online courses are designed to help you transition to higher education smoothly and make the most of your time as a student. Independent study is a key requirement for university. To help you do this well, you will learn time management methods to keep a work life balance and effective note making techniques. Good note making will help you to retain information, organise your thoughts and plan for assignments. You will also understand the value of critical thinking and pick up tools to help you evaluate your sources and question what you read.

Skip to 0 minutes and 42 seconds Writing is a highly valued skill at university. You’ll learn what academic writing is and how to do it successfully. As you learn these core skills, you’ll hear how our students access support services, what to do should you need help and what to expect when you start. If you want to have a head start with your undergraduate degree, join this course.

What topics will you cover?

The fundamentals of university:

  • Managing your time - getting the balance right
  • Note making
  • What support is available?

Becoming a successful undergraduate:

  • Thinking critically
  • Writing at university
  • What does it mean to be a university student?

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...

  • Apply some simple techniques to help you manage your time effectively to help you prepare for university.
  • Explore ways of developing the note making skills you will use at university
  • Investigate some of the sources of support available to you at university.
  • Develop strategies to help you to improve the critical thinking skills you will need in higher education.
  • Identify the features of good academic writing so that you can apply them in your essays and reports.

Who is the course for?

This course has been designed for students considering going to University or those that have been accepted onto an undergraduate course and want to explore the skills you need for a successful academic life.

You may have just completed different qualifications such as BTEC, A level or Access to HE and participated in widening access to Higher Education programmes or you are returning to education as a mature student; no matter your entry route into higher education, this course will support your successful transition to university.

This course is also a useful tool for current university students especially those in their first or foundation year of their undergraduate degree.

This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges.

Material from the course can be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$79/one-off payment

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. 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
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

You can use the hashtag #FLSkillsforUni to talk about this course on social media.