Assessment and exam skills workshops
Prepare with Purpose, Perform with Confidence.
Explore our directory below to find your next workshop.
Exam revision and exam technique workshops
- Academic Writing for Essay-Based Exams
Writing essays under time pressure brings unique challenges—from structuring clear arguments on the fly to managing physical fatigue.
This workshop breaks down what examiners actually look for, how to unpack complex questions, and simple planning techniques to keep your analysis sharp and stress low on exam day.
- Exam technique: Short Answer and Multiple Choice
Succeeding in short answer and MCQ exams isn't just about memorization—it's about strategic execution under pressure.
This workshop breaks down the exam into clear, manageable stages, teaching you how to analyze questions quickly, manage your time wisely, and manage stress on exam day.
- Memory Techniques for Revision
Managing large amounts of course information can feel overwhelming, but effective recall relies on smart technique, not just repetition.
This interactive workshop introduces proven memory strategies for heavy study loads, giving you hands-on practice to test which methods best suit your revision style and assignment prep.
- Reading and Note Taking Techniques
University courses require vast amounts of reading, but you don't need to read every text word-for-word.
This practical workshop introduces targeted strategies like speed reading, goal-directed skimming, and strategic note-taking—helping you extract key insights quickly, stay on top of your reading list, and save valuable study time.
- Revision Planning for Procrastinators
Revision can feel overwhelming when you don't know where to start, but effective study relies on smart planning rather than endless repetition.
This workshop breaks down key revision principles, helps you tailor strategies to your personal learning preferences, and guides you through an exam-mapping process so you leave with a clear, actionable study plan.
- Using Generative AI for Revision
Generative AI can be a game-changing tool for study, but knowing how to leverage it effectively is key.
This practical workshop explores how to use tools like Google Gemini to break down complex topics, create interactive quizzes, and build personalized revision timetables—with hands-on opportunities to test prompt strategies live during the session.
- Exam technique: Short Answer and Multiple Choice
Succeeding in short answer and MCQ exams isn't just about memorization—it's about strategic execution under pressure.
This workshop breaks down the exam into clear, manageable stages, teaching you how to analyze questions quickly, manage your time wisely, and manage stress on exam day.
- Reading and Note Taking Techniques
University courses require vast amounts of reading, but you don't need to read every text word-for-word.
This practical workshop introduces targeted strategies like speed reading, goal-directed skimming, and strategic note-taking—helping you extract key insights quickly, stay on top of your reading list, and save valuable study time.
- Revision Planning for Procrastinators
Revision can feel overwhelming when you don't know where to start, but effective study relies on smart planning rather than endless repetition.
This workshop breaks down key revision principles, helps you tailor strategies to your personal learning preferences, and guides you through an exam-mapping process so you leave with a clear, actionable study plan.
- Using Generative AI for Revision
Generative AI can be a game-changing tool for study, but knowing how to leverage it effectively is key.
This practical workshop explores how to use tools like Google Gemini to break down complex topics, create interactive quizzes, and build personalized revision timetables—with hands-on opportunities to test prompt strategies live during the session.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our exam revision and techniques online resources.
Dissertations and project workshops
- An introduction to AI image generation
Open to students and staff, AI image generation is a modern digital skill that enables you to quickly communicate complex research ideas, design visual assets, and prototype concepts using text prompts.
This practical workshop introduces the fundamentals of AI image generation, which tools to use, when it’s appropriate to use them, and how to write effective prompts, featuring real-world examples from the University of Sheffield.
- Developing an Academic Argument
Academic arguments are the heart of most academic writing, relying on a clear structure to communicate complex ideas effectively.
This workshop guides you step-by-step through structuring your paper, using evidence effectively, and crafting a persuasive argument from thesis to conclusion.
- Dissertation Planning Essentials
For final-year UG and Master's students, you may have lots of ideas of things you would like to explore in your dissertation; developing a well-structured and organised project is the key to preparing for your research.
This workshop helps you kick-start your dissertation by showing you how to focus your topic, ground it in research, and tackle common planning hurdles.
- Editing and Proofreading Your Own Work
Editing and proofreading are critical for polishing your academic work, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
This practical workshop shares essential self-editing and proofreading techniques to help you refine your writing, spot mistakes, and boost the overall quality of your assignments.
- Essay Structure and Planning
When writing academic essays a strong structure makes complex ideas easy to follow.
This workshop teaches you to decode prompts, map out your essay, and connect paragraphs logically to keep your argument flowing smoothly from intro to conclusion.
- Paraphrasing and Using Academic Sources
Strong academic writing builds on existing scholarship while maintaining your own voice.
This practical workshop shows you how to quote, paraphrase, and synthesize sources confidently to build strong, plagiarism-free arguments.
- Reflective Thinking and Writing
Reflective writing requires turning everyday academic experiences into meaningful insights and actionable next steps.
This step-by-step workshop breaks down the theory of reflective practice, introducing practical techniques to help you evaluate your learning, write critical reflections for assignments, and build action plans for future success.
- Research skills for dissertations: the essentials
Are you working on your dissertation or final year project? Sign up to Research skills for dissertations: the essentials. This extended webinar combines a range of short sessions covering the following topics:
Planning your dissertation
Information searching and critical thinking
Referencing tips and tricks
Finding and using images and infographics- Research Writing Momentum: Dissertations and Reports
Your dissertation or final project is likely the largest assignment you will tackle at university, requiring a clear, systematic approach.
This practical workshop breaks the writing process into manageable milestones, helps you map out intermediate deadlines, and shares strategies to beat procrastination so you can write naturally and stay on track.
- Writing a Research Proposal
A strong research proposal clearly defines what you will investigate, why it matters, and how you will execute it.
This interactive workshop walks you through a persuasive, proven proposal structure, helping you link your methodology to existing literature and refine your plan by evaluating real example proposals.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our dissertations and projects online resources.
Literature review workshops
- Essay Structure and Planning
When writing academic essays a strong structure makes complex ideas easy to follow.
This workshop teaches you to decode prompts, map out your essay, and connect paragraphs logically to keep your argument flowing smoothly from intro to conclusion.
- Research Writing Momentum: Dissertations and Reports
Your dissertation or final project is likely the largest assignment you will tackle at university, requiring a clear, systematic approach.
This practical workshop breaks the writing process into manageable milestones, helps you map out intermediate deadlines, and shares strategies to beat procrastination so you can write naturally and stay on track.
- Writing a Literature Review
A literature review is more than just a summary of past research—it is a critical synthesis that positions your work within existing scholarship.
This practical workshop breaks down the core purpose of a literature review, teaching you how to integrate multiple sources, structure your analysis, and avoid common writing pitfalls so you can craft a clear, cohesive section for your dissertation or thesis.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our literature review online resources.
Essay workshops
- Academic Writing Essentials
Academic writing for university exams, essays, and dissertations requires a unique approach to structure, tone, and language to effectively communicate complex ideas and meet university marking criteria.
This workshop guides you through the entire writing process—from a blank page to a finished draft, exploring practical strategies to find your academic voice and structure your academic work.
- Academic Writing for Essay-Based Exams
Writing essays under time pressure brings unique challenges—from structuring clear arguments on the fly to managing physical fatigue.
This workshop breaks down what examiners actually look for, how to unpack complex questions, and simple planning techniques to keep your analysis sharp and stress low on exam day.
- Developing an Academic Argument
Academic arguments are the heart of most academic writing, relying on a clear structure to communicate complex ideas effectively.
This workshop guides you step-by-step through structuring your paper, using evidence effectively, and crafting a persuasive argument from thesis to conclusion.
- Editing and Proofreading Your Own Work
Editing and proofreading are critical for polishing your academic work, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
This practical workshop shares essential self-editing and proofreading techniques to help you refine your writing, spot mistakes, and boost the overall quality of your assignments.
- Essay Structure and Planning
When writing academic essays a strong structure makes complex ideas easy to follow.
This workshop teaches you to decode prompts, map out your essay, and connect paragraphs logically to keep your argument flowing smoothly from intro to conclusion.
- Paraphrasing and Using Academic Sources
Strong academic writing builds on existing scholarship while maintaining your own voice.
This practical workshop shows you how to quote, paraphrase, and synthesize sources confidently to build strong, plagiarism-free arguments.
- Reflective Thinking and Writing
Reflective writing requires turning everyday academic experiences into meaningful insights and actionable next steps.
This step-by-step workshop breaks down the theory of reflective practice, introducing practical techniques to help you evaluate your learning, write critical reflections for assignments, and build action plans for future success.
- Research Writing Momentum: Dissertations and Reports
Your dissertation or final project is likely the largest assignment you will tackle at university, requiring a clear, systematic approach.
This practical workshop breaks the writing process into manageable milestones, helps you map out intermediate deadlines, and shares strategies to beat procrastination so you can write naturally and stay on track.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our essay online resources.
Lab report workshops
- Scientific Writing and Lab Reports
Scientific writing uses established frameworks to communicate complex data and methodologies clearly.
Using the scientific lab report as a model, this practical workshop breaks down the standard IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), offering best practices and top tips to help you write precise, professional lab reports for your degree.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our lab report online resources.
Presentation workshops
- An introduction to AI image generation
Open to students and staff, AI image generation is a modern digital skill that enables you to quickly communicate complex research ideas, design visual assets, and prototype concepts using text prompts.
This practical workshop introduces the fundamentals of AI image generation, which tools to use, when it’s appropriate to use them, and how to write effective prompts, featuring real-world examples from the University of Sheffield.
- Planning and Delivering Presentations
Delivering a clear, concise presentation is an essential skill for university assessments, job interviews, and conferences.
This workshop helps you build presentation confidence by teaching you how to clarify your core message, structure your content, and manage public speaking anxiety.
- Producing presentations: an introduction
This session looks at how you can create accessible, effective slides for your presentation and gives you the opportunity to explore different presentation software.
There are no sessions currently scheduled, but you can express your interest in future sessions.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our presentation online resources.
Poster presentation workshops
- An introduction to AI image generation
Open to students and staff, AI image generation is a modern digital skill that enables you to quickly communicate complex research ideas, design visual assets, and prototype concepts using text prompts.
This practical workshop introduces the fundamentals of AI image generation, which tools to use, when it’s appropriate to use them, and how to write effective prompts, featuring real-world examples from the University of Sheffield.
- Creating Research Posters
Research posters are a powerful way to showcase your work for assessments, conferences, or showcases.
This interactive workshop covers essential visual design principles, helps you craft clear key messages, and shares practical tips for presenting your poster confidently to attendees.
- Planning and Delivering Presentations
Delivering a clear, concise presentation is an essential skill for university assessments, job interviews, and conferences.
This workshop helps you build presentation confidence by teaching you how to clarify your core message, structure your content, and manage public speaking anxiety.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our poster presentation online resources.
Academic integrity workshops
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our academic integrity online resources.
GenAI for assessment workshops
- Memory Techniques for Revision
Managing large amounts of course information can feel overwhelming, but effective recall relies on smart technique, not just repetition.
This interactive workshop introduces proven memory strategies for heavy study loads, giving you hands-on practice to test which methods best suit your revision style and assignment prep.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our GenAi for assessment online resources.
Assessment literacy workshops
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our assessment liuteracy online resources.
Next steps
If you can't find the workshops you are looking for you can:
- view our full programme of upcoming workshops
- book a 1:1 appointment for study skills, maths or statistics
- browse our online how to guides for more information and resources