This module introduces students to the core skills needed to succeed at university level. It supports students to enhance their academic, employability and transferable skills with a focus on ensuring students are confident in their essential academic and research skills to take them forward in the degree. Topics include:

- Referencing
- Communication – written and verbal
-Team working
- Revision methods
- Navigating different assessments
- Reflective practice
- Academic and critical writing
- Understanding the marking criteria and using and responding to feedback
- Searching for literature
- Understanding research literature
- Networking
- Using IT systems
- Digital skills
- Problem solving
- Adapting to university and wellbeing
- Employability skills
- Introduction to research methods
- Conducting secondary source research and analysis

1. Students can choose to either: complete an online GMetrix exam where they will evidence their proficiency in one of the Microsoft application packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) obtaining Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Micro credentials
or
produce a portfolio evidencing their skills in one of the Microsoft applications. The evidence you provide in the portfolio will include screenshots of completing core functions in the Microsoft application and brief narrative in the form of annotations to these screenshots.

2. Students will be given a number of topic areas to choose from and produce a small literature review on the topic, presenting findings from published academic work that they find using library searching techniques. They will then use the secondary sources provided for that topic to analyse using an appropriate research analysis technique and present the findings in the report.

Timetabled sessions will include a mixture of lectures, tutorials and workshops. Assignment support will be built into the module to support students in completing assignments.

Lectures will be led by the lecturer and sometimes colleagues from the careers and library study skills teams and will be used to deliver key concepts and learning within the module content. During these sessions, there will be interactive elements such as knowledge checks, short discussions, students asked for their thoughts or viewpoint and opportunities to ask questions to the lecturer.

Tutorial sessions will be based around student centred learning, group discussions and reflective based tasks to aide students learning on the module.

Workshops will be hosted in computer rooms and focus on practical application of knowledge using IT packages.

For formative assessment, you will have the opportunity to undertake mock GMetrix exams or submit segments of your portfolio for feedback ahead of the deadline

1. Demonstrate digital literacy in core Microsoft products.

Digital Literacy

2. Apply research knowledge to analyse secondary source data.

Research skills

3. Find, interpret, evaluate and reference academic literature.

Research skills

4. Demonstrate effective academic writing and presentation skills for criminology assignments.

Communication

- Computer rooms
- Gmetrix testing
- Library catalogue

Davies, P. and Francis, P. (2018) Doing Criminological Research. Third edition. London, England: SAGE Publications.

Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2019) Criminology skills. 3rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198799818.001.0001.

Pears, R. and Shields, G.J. (2025) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide. Thirteenth edition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.

Thomas, G. (2025) How to do your literature review. London: Sage.

How will you succeed at university? This module provides you with the knowledge, guidance and support to successfully navigate your Criminology degree and beyond supporting you to develop academic, employability and transferable skills. This module focuses on essential academic and research skills you need to thrive. You’ll learn how to find and evaluate criminological literature, analyse secondary data, and present your ideas with clarity and confidence. Through hands-on activities, you’ll develop digital literacy using core Microsoft tools, strengthen your academic writing, and master referencing techniques. By the end of the module, you’ll be equipped to produce high-quality assignments and lay the groundwork for future research projects.