Head Start Writing (Mature Students)

The Student Learning team and the Mature Student Officer work collaboratively to provide an annual Head Start Writing week for incoming first-year mature students. This week-long course is an opportunity for mature students to refresh their academic writing skills before returning to university. 

What students say

"I feel a lot more prepared and confident to start my course after having completed the week. One of my biggest fears was whether I would be able to write to the level required, now I have a lot of tools at my disposal and I also know that help is available if I need it." 

Dates and registration

This course runs at the beginning of the academic year and is only open to incoming first-year mature students. All students in this cohort will receive notification in advance from the Mature Student Officer on how to register for the course. 

Further information on other pre-entry events for incoming mature students is available here.

Indicative content

The full programme for the next edition will be made available closer to the start date. Topics will include:

• Maintaining motivation throughout your studies.
• The basics of Academic Writing. 
• Different assignment types and how to tackle them.  
• Understanding the question and brainstorming. 
• Finding sources. 
• Planning your essay. 
• Writing your first draft: paragraphs, introductions, conclusions. 
• Revising and editing. 
• Citing and referencing to avoid plagiarism.