Learning Development

Learning Development (LD) includes ‘Thinking Writing’ (TW) and a number of posts funded by Engagement, Retention and Success (ERS). It

  • works with students on an individual basis and in groups
  • collaborates with academic teachers to improve design, practice and learning in modules and programmes
  • supports activities that extend and enrich the formal curriculum
  • promotes scholarship, discussion and exchange across QMUL in areas that are relevant to our work

NB Learning Development does not provide wholecourses or modules for students.

Learning Development staff contact details are available at

Before contacting Learning Development (or Thinking Writing), Schools/ Institutes/Directorates may wish to take a look at our websites and which give examples of how and where we have worked previously across QMUL.

Service / Description / How to access
Writing and Study Guidance / A range of activitiesthat aim to empower students to take charge of their own learning, develop sound academic practice and become effective in academic communication. Includes bookable tutorials with a Learning Advisor, a weekly ‘Incubator’, workshops, drop-ins and small group sessions.Open to students of any discipline and level of study / 1-2-1 tutorials can be booked via our website, where details of other activities can also be found.
NB we are able to offer Skype tutorials on request but these must be booked via our normal booking system.
Writing Guidance from Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellows / Bookable tutorials from published writers under the Royal Literary Fund Fellows scheme.
Open to students of any discipline and level of study / Bookable from our website. Some staff invite Fellows to lectures and seminars to give a brief introduction to their service. Their email addresses are on the website.
Postgraduate Research writing development
Staff writing retreats / A series of workshops, retreats, and ‘Boot Camps’ whose goal is to help students make progress with writing about their research in multiple ways, most crucially completing their theses. / Bookable via the Thinking Writing website
Please get in touch to discuss additional provision to our planned schedule e.g. for your School only.
Statistics Guidance / A scheme that matches a student enquirer with a student mentor who will offer 50 minutes of individual support. Aimed at students with coursework assignments, projects and dissertations that require some statistical understanding or analysis. / See LD website and send an email.
Promotion of undergraduate research opportunities and coordination of QMUL students’ participation in the British Conference of Undergraduate Research / In 2016-17, 40 students from HSS and S&E will be take part in BCUR. Learning Development manages the application process and prepares students to present at the conference. / See our website and get in touch to discuss.
Targeted teaching/facilitation in response to requests from Schools / Workshops/lectures within Schools or stand-alone. General examples are: avoiding plagiarism/incorporating source material into writing, spoken presentation training, exam & revision strategies. / Please contact us. Note: these sessions need to be collaboratively planned to be successful.
Supporting the development of students and staff through curriculum design and evaluation (particularly related to writing) / Collaborations focussed on helping academic teachers develop the capacity to integrate the development of student writing and related processes into their teaching. / Please get in touchif you would like to discuss what we can do with you in more detail. See also Thinking Writing website
Supporting Schools and the University to implement the QMUL Engagement, Retention and Success strategy / Learning and Teaching Advisors working on various projects with academic Schools relating to the curriculum and broader student experience, particularly in the first year / Please get in touch if you would like to discuss what we can do with you in more detail
Raising attainment in secondary schools / Work with A-level teachers to develop insights into the experiences that students have at A-level. We (and Library colleagues) also work with schools to support the Extended Project Qualification. / Please get in touch to discuss current capacity. EPQ support is accessed via Widening Participation