Academic Communication Skills (ACS)

Your fast-track to academic success at UQ.

ACS courses are free modules designed to help you ace your assignments and excel in your studies at UQ. Participate in interactive workshops and learning activities with opportunities to practise your academic language and receive feedback.

ACS can be one of your five supplementary activities for a UQ Employability Award.

Critical Thinking

Strengthen your critical thinking skills in an academic context. You will learn to move from simple description to thoughtful evaluation, compare and contrast scholarly sources, form and express your own analytical viewpoint, and recognise gaps or limitations in research. With guided language practice, you will develop the ability to produce balanced, credible, and well‑supported arguments in your academic work.

Oral Presentations

Develop the essential skills for delivering clear, confident, and engaging presentations. You'll learn to open strongly, structure your ideas logically, and communicate with effective pronunciation and vocal control. You will also practise summarising key points and ending with memorable, impactful conclusions. These skills will help you present your ideas with clarity, credibility, and purpose in both academic and professional settings.

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Annotated Bibliographies

Familiarise yourself with the structure and language of annotated bibliographies and literature reviews.

Grammar Essentials

Refresh your basic grammar skills to improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

Interacting at University

Overcome common challenges such as emailing lecturers, giving peer feedback, or contributing to graded online discussions.

Reports for Business and Social Sciences

Understand the structure and language of reports in Business and the Social Sciences.

Reports for STEM

Understand the structure and language of reports in STEM, such as lab reports.

Research Essays

Learn how to structure research essays, paraphrase and synthesise research, and avoid plagiarism.

Writing at University

Polish your language skills and improve your accuracy, brevity, clarity and style.

Writing Case Studies

Understand how to structure your case studies and what language to use.

Register for an ACS course

This course has provided me the very tools I need to get my desired degree at UQ.
The teachers are highly competent and passionately supportive. Students can get helpful feedback and advice about academic study skills in the class.
It is the best place to turn your goal of being successful at university into a reality.