PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Unsure what to expect from Master's by coursework study?

The transition to postgraduate study can be challenging, whether you are preparing for the increased demands of Master's level coursework, adapting to a new academic environment, or returning to education after time in the workforce. Through 6 online sessions, you will learn how to navigate graduate level reading, write clear and well-structured assignments, engage critically with academic texts, and deliver effective presentations. You'll also receive practical guidance on understanding academic expectations and communicating your ideas with clarity and confidence in a Master's level learning environment.

Fully online, optional, and non-credit bearing. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion.

By the end of this course, you will be better prepared to meet the communication demands of Master's by coursework study. You will learn how to:

• Communicate with purpose and impact by adapting your writing and presentations to different academic contexts.
• Write with greater clarity and confidence using techniques that improve organisation, coherence, and logical flow.
• Read and engage critically with academic texts by identifying key arguments, analysing ideas, and synthesising information from multiple sources.
• Produce concise and effective academic writing, including summaries and evidence-based responses to scholarly texts.
• Present ideas clearly and professionally through well-structured presentations, purposeful slide design, and confident delivery.
• Navigate postgraduate study more effectively with practical academic communication skills that support success from the start of your programme.

Duration: 5 to 7 Minutes

This assessment requires each student to select one research article from a curated list of approximately 15 readings on current events and present it to the class. The task is designed to strengthen students’ ability to interpret academic research and communicate complex ideas clearly to a non-specialist audience.

To develop a well-informed stance, students must also locate two to three additional readings. These may include reputable news reports or expert commentaries that challenge or extend the arguments in the main article. The supplementary sources help students develop a deeper understanding of the topic.

Students are also expected to apply reader response and critical engagement skills when working with their selected texts. This includes interpreting claims, evaluating the strength and credibility of the evidence, and forming a thoughtful personal response that links the articles to wider perspectives on the topic.

In this scenario, students take on the role of a postgraduate researcher giving a practice academic presentation to an imagined undergraduate audience. The aim is to explain the key insights from the chosen articles in a manner that is intellectually stimulating for a younger audience.

Students must apply the Purpose–Audience–Context (PAC) framework when planning and delivering their presentation.

• The purpose of the task is to inform undergraduates about key findings from the selected articles and to present a well-supported stance using additional readings.
• The audience consists of undergraduates who have limited background knowledge of the topic.
• The context is an academic presentation designed to communicate ideas clearly and meaningfully to the audience.

Through this task, students practise analysing research, integrating different perspectives, and presenting challenging ideas in a way that is engaging for non-experts.