Academic Skills for University Study is a key component of the University’s pathway Diploma program suite, with the aim of developing students’ academic skills and critical thinking ability to best prepare them to engage in tertiary education. This course includes skill development across three areas – academic literacy, how education works at university, and how to be a researcher. As these skills are not discrete, they will be discussed and revisited throughout the course to emphases the interconnectedness of skills rather than as separate study modules.
This course develops students’ academic language and critical thinking skills, preparing them to engage in tertiary education. Reflecting on current skills and understanding the expectations and standards for tertiary education supports students to identify transferrable skills and generate plans for development. This course makes explicit aspects of university study that are often implicit. By unlocking the hidden curriculum of tertiary education engagement, students can more confidently engage in the university experience and discipline content. The importance of learning and skill development is emphasised. Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is explored with a focus on genAI literacy. The scope of acceptable genAI use in tertiary education contexts is also explored.
Research mindset and critical reasoning are explicitly explored. Students will learn and apply criteria to evaluate sources, including critical literacy for generative artificial intelligence. Students will identify writer stance, evaluate support for claims, make comparisons across sources, and apply these skills to build logical and well-supported academic arguments.
Through analysing a range of written, spoken, and multimodal texts, students explore how language, structure, and context shape meaning for different audiences and purposes. This is used to support appropriate text selection and creation. Students create their own texts in multiple modes, applying appropriate conventions while demonstrating growing independence, critical thinking, and effective communication within Australian tertiary education contexts. Academic integrity is emphasised throughout as it applies to all stages of academic reading, research, and writing. This includes summarising, paraphrasing, citations, appropriate referencing and responsible and ethical use of digital technologies.
Throughout the course, students engage in guided practice, reflection, and feedback cycles that build confidence and academic readiness. This course supports learners in becoming critical readers, effective writers, attentive listeners, and capable speakers who can participate successfully in a range of academic contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically reflect on their own learning experiences and academic skills to identify strategies for further development.
- Analyse and evaluate information from a range of sources, and clearly communicate synthesised ideas using critical thinking, appropriate academic language, and supporting evidence.
- Identify the value of research and research mindset.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of academic integrity principles.
- Explain and evaluate ethical principles in AI use, including fairness, transparency, accountability, and academic integrity.
Indicative Assessment
- Fortnightly content quizzes x 6 (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- In class structured debate/discussion30 to 40 minutes per group (40) [LO 2,4,5]
- Marked assignment self-reflection and amendments (45) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Academic Integrity ModulesCompleted all modules [Complete / Incomplete] (0) [LO 4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
- 5 hours contact per week for 12 teaching weeks
- 6 weeks of 2 x 2.5-hour seminars
- 6 weeks of 1 x 1 hour lecture and 2 x 2-hour tutorials
- 1 hour facilitated study group for 12 weeks
- Approximately 2 hours of weekly independent study
- 1 hour per quiz including revision and attempts for 6 quizzes
- 6 hours preparation for in class structured discussion/debate
- 18 hours preparation for marked assignment self-reflection and amendments
- 4 hours Academic Integrity Modules
Inherent Requirements
N/A
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the ANU One to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Mewburn, I., Firth, K., & Lehmann, S. (2021). Level up your essays: How to get better grades at university. NewSouth Publishing.
Hopkins, D., & Reid, J. (2024). The academic skills handbook: Your guide to success in writing, thinking and communicating at university (2nd ed.). Sage.
Read, S. H. (2023). Bloomsbury study skills: Academic writing skills for international students. Bloomsbury Academic.
Assumed Knowledge
None
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5516 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |