Academic Writing and Study Support - LDC
Writing support available at the Learning Development Centre
The Learning Development Centre provides a range of academic writing advice and study support to Aston students. Whether you are just starting out at university, in the final stages of your undergraduate degree, or undertaking postgraduate study, the LDC team can work with you to develop your writing and learning.
Find out more below about working with our Learning Development Advisors, Student Writing Coaches, or our resident Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellow.
All students can book confidential one-one tutorials with our Learning Advisors who specialise in writing and study skills strategies.
Whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate, campus based or distance learner, our advisors can help you improve your study skills and feel more confident with your assignment writing.
Our aim is to help you to develop your academic skills. In doing this, you will become a more confident and independent learner. So please note:
Yes! if there is a group of you with similar questions from the same course, please let us know when your booking your appointment, so we can arrange a suitable space and/or additional time.
In a tutorial you can discuss specific questions and pieces of work or have a conversation about your study skills and practices you would like to improve. Students often find it useful to talk about their assignments with our advisors to refine their approach and improve areas of writing. The advisor can look at a draft or extract of your assignment during the tutorial.
To get the most from a tutorial, it's important to make the necessary preparation so that your advisor can assist you to the best of their ability.
Be prepared to explain and discuss your concerns with the advisor:
To get the most from your appointment, we also advise you to:
If you are unable to attend a one-to-one tutorial, our Learning Advisors can provide advice on your academic writing or referencing via email. Our advisors will respond to your email as soon as possible (usually within 72-hour period).
To ensure you receive the advice that you require, please be as specific as possible when contacting us:
Please note:
To use the e-tutorial service, send your email to ldc etutorials.
To book face-face or online appointments with our learning advisors, please contact the Learning Development Centre.
Please contact the Learning Development Centre if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
To receive an email tutorial please contact: ldc etutorials.
Student Writing Coaches are Aston University students who receive specialist training to support students from across the University enhance their academic writing.
Student Writing Coaches aim to help you to develop your understanding of academic skills, study strategies and the range of resources available so that you can improve your academic writing. In this way, Student Writing Coaches empower students in their approach and ability to use resources and incorporate academic conventions effectively in their academic writing.
An appointment can range from 30 minutes up-to one hour.
You can discuss questions relating to organising your writing, communicating your ideas and academic conventions, including referencing, with Student Writing Coaches. Students often find it useful to talk about their assignments and can discuss extracts of their writing with Student Writing Coaches in order to identify areas and techniques for development.
To book face-face or online appointment with a Student Writing Coach, please contact the Learning Development Centre:
Please contact the Learning Development Centre if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
It is important to prepare for your appointment with a Student Writing Coach so that you can make the most of your coaching appointment.
Be prepared to explain and discuss your concerns with the Student Writing Coach:
To get the most from your appointment, we also advise you to:
The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) believes that writers have a unique role to play as educators, and aim to share their experiences as writers with current students. Royal Literary Fund Fellows are professional published writers placed within UK universities to help students develop and strengthen writing.
Aston is fortunate to have novelist and screenwriter Lauren James available to work with you on a one-one basis for two days per week during term-time.
The RLF website also provides a range of useful resources for planning your writing as well as writing essays and dissertations.
How can the RLF Fellow help you?
Providing a free, confidential service to develop your writing skills, Aston's RLF Fellow can help you to:
Book an appointment
Appointments with our RLF Fellow last for 50 minutes and are available on Mondays (on-campus) or online Wednesdays during term-time only. To request an appointment email Lauren James.
If you are unable to make your agreed appointment, please email to cancel or rearrange at least 24 hours ahead of the appointed time -this will help other students have the opportunity to use this time.
Watch the RLF Promotional video for the Learning Development Centre (LDC) below.