University of Reading program

Writing in English for University Study

Develop English writing skills to help you succeed at university with this flexible program of online courses

  • Overview 2 courses + 1 assessment
  • Duration 12 weeks
  • Learn Free

Develop the academic English skills required for writing university essays and projects

The style of English required for university study has its own characteristics and elements that set it apart from English you might use elsewhere. From citations and referencing, understanding plagiarism, and knowing how to effectively construct a sound argument - academic writing can be intimidating. This program will help you feel more familiar with academic English and comfortable that you can use it effectively during your studies.

This flexible program of courses starts by teaching you the basics, helping you learn the fundamentals of constructing an essay and beginner’s academic grammar. As your confidence and skills grow, you will be guided through expanding and developing your writing skills. You will learn more about using appropriate sources and become familiar with different research tools.

The final step offered by the University of Reading is a tutor-marked assessment, for which a fee is payable, which will enable you to revise, practise and then test the knowledge and skills you have gained in the Writing in English for University program. You will submit an essay (of 500 - 600 words excluding a list of references) on either water privatisation, a subject that you will have read about and discussed with other learners during the intermediate level course, or a topic of your choice. It will be marked by the University of Reading’s International Study and Language Institute. They will give you personal feedback to help ensure you can further develop your academic English for study success.

To be eligible to complete the tutor-marked assessment, you must have obtained the Certificate of Achievement on An Intermediate Guide to Writing in English for University Study.

To be eligible for the FutureLearn program award, you must obtain the Certificate of Achievements on both courses and pass the tutor-marked assessment.

Courses and assessment

2 courses and 1 final assessment

How does our pricing work?

Start Learning Free
$268 USD - Course Upgrades
£42 GBP - Final Assessment

Can I learn for free?

Programs are made up of short courses, most of which you can join for free.

However, if you want to take the final assessment and unlock the award or accreditation for the program, you must upgrade each individual course or buy Unlimited to gain a Certificate of Achievement for all the courses in the program.

How do course upgrades work?

If you want to spend more time on course material and better demonstrate what you've learned, you may choose to upgrade each course. You can upgrade your courses at any point after you enrol.

When you upgrade a course, you get ongoing access to the course material for as long as the course exists on FutureLearn. This means you can return to the subject whenever you like.

You will also be given access to any course tests, and the ability to qualify for a downloadable and printed Certificate of Achievement to show what you’ve achieved.

How does Unlimited work?

If you have Unlimited, you will get access to all of the short courses in this program, plus thousands of other short courses and tests.

You have the ability to learn at your own pace throughout your subscription time and gain digital Certificates of Achievement on all your courses.

If you gain a certificate on a course, you will keep access to the course’s content beyond your Unlimited subscription time so you can revise the content whenever you need.

Unlimited costs $27.99/month. Find out more about Unlimited.

What is the final assessment?

The final assessment is designed to rigorously test your understanding of the subject. This test is marked by experts and enables you to demonstrate your learning to yourself and to employers.

The assessment is summative and may include a multiple-choice test, or tutor-marked assignment.

Passing the final assessment unlocks the academic or professional recognition associated with completing an entire FutureLearn program, plus a FutureLearn Award.

To be eligible for the final assessment, you must upgrade on each individual course or buy Unlimited and attain a Certificate of Achievement for all of the courses in the program. The final assessment must be purchased separately.

Are these the final prices?

Yes. There are no additional fees. The price you see here includes everything - such as test fees, tuition and any additional accreditation provided by the course.

Learn with experts in writing English for University study

This Writing in English for University study program has been developed by The University of Reading and is aimed at anyone interested in undertaking academic study in English, but it may be of particular interest to international students.

  • University of Reading

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the basic structural sections of an essay
  • Assess the different features of an academic essay
  • Develop control of academic grammar
  • Develop confidence in using written academic English and its features
  • Apply critical reading skills
  • Demonstrate understanding of source materials and how to use them
  • Produce longer academic essays