English academic writing for PhD candidates

Professional skills courses
a hand holding a pencil, between two laptops

Introduction

Would you like to produce a reader-friendly dissertation? Do you need to find out more about your strengths and weaknesses as an academic writer? Writing a PhD thesis in a language which is not your first language can be a daunting task. In this course, PhD candidates work on their English language skills, specifically on the academic writing process (organisation and coherence).

Course information

ECTS: 2.5 
Number of sessions: 9
Hours per session: 2

Key Facts & Figures

Type
Course
Instruction language
English

What will you achieve?

  • This course includes the writing process for each section of a paper.
  • This course includes writing clear and concise paragraphs.
  • This course includes writing correct English at sentence level (including grammar, style and vocabulary).
  • This course includes the use of sources (summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, and referencing).
  • This course includes structure and discourse.
  • This course includes clear organization and coherence throughout the text.
  • This course includes formulating arguments and presenting data.

Sessions

Edition 1 (offline)Edition 2 (online)Edition 3 (offline)

Session 1
September 30 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 2
October 7 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 3
October 14 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 4
October 21 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 5
November 4 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 6
November 11 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 7
November 18 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 8
November 25 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 9
December 2 (Monday) 2024
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 1
September 30 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 2
October 7 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 3
October 14 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 4
October 21 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 5
November 4 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 6
November 11 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 7
November 18 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 8
November 25 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 9
December 2 (Monday) 2024
13.00-15.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 1
March 10 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 2
March 17 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 3
March 24 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 4
March 31 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 5
April 7 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 6
April 14 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 7
April 23 (Wednesday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 8
May 7 (Wednesday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 9
May 12 (Monday) 2025
09.30-11.30 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Edition 4 (offline)                                                        Edition 5 (External PhD candidates
connected to one of our affiliated faculties) (online)

Session 1
March 10 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 2
March 17 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 3
March 24 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 4
March 31 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 5
April 7 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 6
April 14 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 7
April 23 (Wednesday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 8
May 7 (Wednesday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 9
May 12 (Monday) 2025
13.00-15.00 hrs
Mandeville (campus map), room T19-01

Session 1
May 13 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 2
May 20 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 3
May 27 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 4
June 3 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 5
June 10 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 6
June 17 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 7
June 24 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 8
July 1 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Session 9
July 8 (Tuesday) 2025
19.00-21.00 hrs
Online (Zoom)

Aims and working method

During this nine-week course, you will become familiar with all the skills needed to write and edit an academic paper for publication. Each week, a specific topic is presented, and participants share knowledge and learn new skills through interactive discussion. The course also allows for a deeper analysis of academic writing through the writing, reviewing and editing of six different assignments. In addition, each week participants will read, and peer review the work of one or more students.

The classes will be online and consist of a mix of live interaction and individual work. Aside from the class, participants are expected to spend approximately two to three hours a week on preparation and self-study. These courses consist of nine group sessions of two hours each and one individual session at the end of the course. 

Entry level and conditions

The course is most suitable for PhD students who have already begun writing text (an article or something else) for their PhD project.

This course is organised in cooperation with the EUR Language & Training Centre (LTC) which has a dedicated team of English language instructors with experience in teaching academic writing.

The course is geared towards PhD candidates at CEFR level C1. The set-up is a tried and tested formula, and the course convenor will adjust the course contents when necessary to best suit the specific needs of the participants.

Researchers who want to improve their general English language skills are advised to first follow one of the English proficiency courses at LTC before enrolling for this course.

How to prepare

  • Pre-course assignment: Participants are asked to write a short text about the research they are currently doing (400-500 words). This should be sent to the course convenor one week before the start of the course.
  • You will receive the book "Effective Scientific Writing: An Advanced Learner's Guide to Better English" by A Bolt & W Bruins, VU University Press (2012): ISBN 9789086596171.

More detailed information will be provided by the instructor prior to the course.

Testimonials

Testimonials recent course participants

Writing in English used to be very difficult for me. This academic writing course has given me the practical tools to write my thesis. The language trainer was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very motivating.
Writing in English used to be very difficult for me. This academic writing course has given me the practical tools to write my thesis. The language trainer was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very motivating.

Testimonial recent course participants

I would absolutely recommend this course to other postgraduate students. I really learned a lot about writing a coherent text and how to choose words carefully while writing academic papers. The free textbook is also very useful.
I would absolutely recommend this course to other postgraduate students. I really learned a lot about writing a coherent text and how to choose words carefully while writing academic papers. The free textbook is also very useful.

Instructor

  • This course is organised in cooperation with the EUR Language & Training Centre. The centre has a dedicated team of English language instructors with extensive experience in teaching academic writing to PhD candidates

Contact

Enrolment-related questions: enrolment@egsh.eur.nl

Telephone: +31 10 4082607 (Graduate School).

Facts & Figures

Fee

n/a

  • This workshop is exclusively for PhD candidates of the Graduate School. Only edition 5 is accessible for external PhD candidates.
  • Consult our enrolment policy for more information
Tax
Not applicable
Offered by
Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Humanities
Course type
Course
Instruction language
English

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