PGT Focussed Classes
These classes are designed specifically for PGT students, to help you understand what it means to be a Master’s-level student and how you can successfully make the transition to and excel in postgraduate study.
Looking for some specific advice? Make an appointment with one of our advisers:
Live classes (Semester 2)
Lectures & Workshops
Mastering Academic Writing & Research
Our Mastering Academic Writing course is for those wanting to fine-tune their academic skills to an advanced level. Note that the series runs in-person throughout January and February, before repeating online in March.
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 27 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 3 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 10 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 17 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority | This class explores how to find and develop your academic voice in order to express ideas with clarity and authority, crafting writing that feels confident and compelling. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 24 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Mon 2 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing (online repeat) | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | Zoom link |
| Mon 9 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice (online repeat) | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | Zoom link |
| Mon 16 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research (online repeat) | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | Zoom link |
| Mon 23 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority (online repeat) | This class explores how to find and develop your academic voice in order to express ideas with clarity and authority, crafting writing that feels confident and compelling. | Zoom link |
| Mon 30 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence (online repeat) | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | Zoom link |
Early Stages Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 20 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | An Introduction to Doing a Dissertation | This class introduces students to key features and requirements of dissertations as well as their benefits. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 21 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Writing a Research Proposal | This class looks at the purpose, structure and key content of research proposals, which are often required before beginning a dissertation or other extensive research project. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 27 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Identifying your Research Gap | This class explores the types of research gap and how to identify the gap for your dissertation. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 28 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Developing your Research Methods | This class discusses how to select the most appropriate methodology for your dissertation. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 3 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | The Supervision Process | This class outlines core aspects of working with a dissertation supervisor, looking at expectations on the students and supervisors, and how to make the most of these relationships. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 4 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Starting the Literature Review | This class looks at how to start searching for literature on your research topic, the key features of literature reviews, and ways to find the 'gap' in research that you are contributing to. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 10 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Using Language in your Dissertation | This class discusses how to make appropriate use of language when writing your dissertation, considering important aspects such as tone and signposting. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 11 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Planning your Dissertation's Structure | This class discusses how to plan your dissertation's structure to ensure a clear argument. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
Writing Groups (for PGT students)
We invite postgradutate taught (Masters) students from all subjects and programmes of study to participate in our Peer Academic Writing Group.
Using a friendly, community-focused approach, these workshops are designed to help you develop and enhance your academic writing skills for your postgraduate assignments.
We will focus on core areas of academic writing that are important to postgraduates in all subjects, such as criticality, style, referencing, tone/word choice, and more.
These workshops are facilitated by Dr Mona O'Brien (Effective Learning Adviser) and Bob Imbur (Peer Learning Facilitator).
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Mon 26 Jan | 14:00-15:00 | Academic Writing Style | This workshop explores key features of effective academic writing style to enhance clarity and meet expectations of writing in assignments. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 2 Feb | 14:00-15:00 | Critical Thinking | This workshop discusses how to think critically to develop strong arguments and analyses in assignments. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 9 Feb | 14:00-15:00 | Critical Reading and Creating Flow in Critical Writing | This workshop will discuss effective critical writing and how to integrate literature into postgraduate assignments. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 16 Feb | 14:00-15:00 | Critical Writing | This workshop focuses on developing students' critical and analytical writing to produce strong academic assignments and meet marking criteria at UofG. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 23 Feb | 14:00-15:00 | Plagiarism, Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence | This workshop explores how to maintain good academic integrity to ensure high quality assignments and introduces discussion around artificial intelligence and its relationships with integrity and plagiarism. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 2 Mar | 14:00-15:00 | Effective Editing for Academic Work | This workshop breaks down the editing process and explores how to edit to enhance your postgraduate written assignments. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
| Mon 9 Mar | 14:00-15:00 | Using Feedback to Enhance Assignments | This workshop discusses how to use feedback on past assignments to enhance and develop your academic writing for current and future assignments. | Southpark House, Seminar Room 202 |
Next Steps: The Unwritten Guide
These sessions focus on taking the next step in your academic career. Come along for information, practical advice, and to ask questions about the ‘unwritten guide’ to taking the next step in your studies.
This particular course will be led by the team of Induction & Transitions Advisers
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=52555
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 3 Feb | 13:00 - 14:00 | Considering a PhD (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences) | This session discusses what doing a PhD in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences involves and what the application and funding processes look like. You’ll learn about the key considerations and steps involved in preparing an application for PhD-level study. | Adam Smith 587 |
| Wed 4 Feb | 13:00 - 14:00 | Considering a PhD (Sciences) | This session discusses what doing a PhD in the Sciences involves and what the application and funding processes look like. You’ll learn about the key considerations and steps involved in preparing an application for doctoral study. If you’re an undergraduate student considering applying directly to do a PhD, you’re also welcome to attend! | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Tue 10 Feb | 13:00 - 14:00 | Finding a PhD Supervisor and Funding | This session discusses how to identify potential PhD supervisors, what to include when contacting them, and explains the main funding routes for doctoral study. You’ll find out where to look for supervisors and funding, and what to consider when choosing a supervisor and applying for funding. | Adam Smith 587 |
| Tue 17 Feb | 13:00 - 14:00 | Applying to do a PhD (Existing Research Project) | This workshop discusses where to look for research projects and provides a space for you to work on your application with support from SLD Advisers. You should come along with an idea of the type of research project you’d like to apply for so you can work on your application during the session. | Adam Smith 587 |
| Wed 18 Feb | 13:00 - 14:00 | Applying to do a PhD (Based on Your Own Research Proposal) | This workshop discusses methods for generating a research question and provides space for you to work on your proposal with support from SLD Advisers. You should come along with an idea of the kind of research proposal you’d like to apply with so you can work on your application during the session. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
Q&A and Drop-ins
Ask Us Anything: Drop-ins
These discussion and Q&A-based sessions provide a space for you to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about university! Drop in and ask an SLD Adviser anything you want about university study and/or life as a student. If you’ve got questions about any aspect of academic or wider student life from independent learning to managing deadlines and meeting new people you can drop in for a quick, friendly chat - no appointment or preparation needed!
You can also come along to one of our Student Q&A Panels to ask fellow students from a range of subjects and backgrounds about their experiences, as well as their hints and tips for university.
This particular course will be led by the team of Induction & Transitions Advisers
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Venue |
| Tue 20 Jan | 09:00-10:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 21 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Thu 22 Jan | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 27 Jan | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 28 Jan | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 3 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 4 Feb | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Thu 5 Feb | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 10 Feb | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Wed 11 Feb | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Tue 17 Feb | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 18 Feb | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Thu 19 Feb | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 24 Feb | 09:00-10:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 25 Feb | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 3 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 4 Mar | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Thu 5 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 10 Mar | 14:00-15:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Wed 11 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Tue 17 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 18 Mar | 11:00-12:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Thu 19 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
| Tue 24 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Drop-in | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Wed 25 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online Drop-in | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
Ask Us Anything: Student Q&A Panels
These discussion and Q&A-based Student Panel sessions provide a space for you to ask fellow students the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about university! Our Student Panels are made up of students from a range of subjects and backgrounds so drop in to the most applicable panel(s) to you and them ask about their experiences, as well as their hints and tips for university - no appointment or preparation needed!
You can also come along to one of our general Drop-In sessions to ask SLD Advisers questions about about studying, assessments, timetables, group work, deadlines, or anything else.
This particular course will be led by the team of Induction & Transitions Advisers
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Venue |
| Wed 28 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: PhD Student Panel | Clarice Pears Building 103AB |
| Wed 11 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Widening Participation Student Panel | Clarice Pears Building 103AB |
| Wed 25 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Mature Student Panel | Clarice Pears Building 103AB |
| Wed 11 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Commuting/Local Student Panel | Clarice Pears Building 103AB |
| Wed 25 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Ask Us Anything: Online/Distance Learning Student Panel | Zoom link (via Moodle) |
Pre-recorded classes and online material
These classes offer a mix of online materials and resources you can work through at your own pace. Some are classes held in the previous semester. All contain useful resources, sometimes including recordings of past live classes. Check back regularly for updates.
Starting your Academic Citizenship (for International Students)
This particular course is led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students. It runs in Semster 1, and every session is run twice - once in-person and once online.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
This series took place last semester, but the materials for the following classes are available at the Moodle link above.
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Transitioning to Academic Study @UofG | How to successfully transition to new academic institutions by better understanding expectations and some strategies for effectively managing change. |
| Becoming an Academic Reader | Strategies for effective academic reading to enhance learning, including how to select reading, manage reading time and read evaluatively. |
| Academic Integrity, Avoiding Plagiarism, and Artificial Intelligence | Explains the definitions of plagiarism at the University of Glasgow and how to avoid plagiarism in academic work as well as looking at some do's and don'ts for AI in academic work. |
| Understanding and Preparing for Assignments | How to effectively understand and fulfill assigment requirements. |
| Introduction to Being Critical | What does it mean to be critical and analytical in academic work and how to achieve this. |
| Academic Discourse | Explains academic discourse and discusses how to identify the ways your academic community communicates. |
Advanced Criticality (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students)
This course covers what do we mean by being critical in your academic work, a key skill in the Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. The course introduces you to the key strategies to becoming a critical reader and writer. This course runs in Semester 1, but resources for the following classes can be found on the Moodle page.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Critical Reading | What does it mean to be critical and how can we foster critical reading when we are researching our assignments or engaging with course materials? |
| Writing Critically about Literature | How can we adopt a critical attitude not only when we read but also when we write about academic literature in our assignments? |
| Using Theory | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing to enhance criticality. |
| Criticality in Argumentation | What are the key elements of a critical argument and how can you make sure you include them in your writing? |
| Reflection | How can you use reflection as a critical tool both in your studying and in your writing? |
Dissertation Classes (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci PGT students)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. This is aimed at PGT, but all students are welcome. This course meets in-person in June, then repeats online in July, but resources can be found on the Moodle page anytime.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Succeeding in Your Dissertation | This class introduces advanced academic research and writing approaches and tools to get you started on a successful dissertation project. |
| Organising Your Research | This class discusses how to work with sources for your research. It outlines different strategies to scope, critically review and map the literature or data relating to your research question. |
| Writing Your Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what is it and what purpose serves in your dissertation. It also discusses how your literature review should link to your methodology. |
| Using Theory and Writing About Methodology | This class discusses what is a methodology, the difference between methodology and methods, how to justify your methodological approach and using theory as a methodological tool. |
| Developing Your Dissertation's Argument | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that successfully answers your research question. |
| Your Dissertation's Structure | This class explores how to link the different chapters of your dissertation together to ensure your thesis is coherent and cohesive. |
| Editing Your Dissertation | This class discusses how to effectively edit and proofread your dissertation, with tips on how to prepare the dissertation document for submission. |
| Referencing and Academic Integrity | This class introduces the principles of academic integrity and discusses how to properly reference your dissertation so that it adheres to these principles. |
Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students. This class will be held during the summer semester, but resources for the classes below can be found on the Moodle.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Reading for your Dissertation | This class explores strategies for selecting and completing reading for your dissertation. |
| Being Critical of Literature | This class discusses how to write about academic literature in a critical and analytical way in your literature review. |
| Writing about Methodology | This class discusses how efffectively to plan and write the methods/methodology section in your dissertation. |
| Writing about Data and Findings | This class discusses writing about data and findings in your dissertation and osme elements of presenting data in graphs and figures. |
| Writing a Discussion Chapter | This class explores the aims and writing of the discussion section/analytical sections in your dissertation. |
| Writing an Introduction Chapter | This class discusses dissertation introductions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |
| Writing a Conclusion Chapter | This class explores dissertation conclusions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |
| Writing a Dissertation Abstract | This class discusses dissertation abstracts, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |