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ENL-40005 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 26 September 2026

ENL-40005 - Academic English for Postgraduate Science Students
Coordinator: Alison Long Tel: +44 1782 7 33146
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733960

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module will help students to develop and refine the specific writing, reading and verbal communication skills they will need to succeed in their science degree studies. Through a series of workshops, lectures, assignments, online and practical tasks and projects, students will improve their ability to:
-extract key information from extended academic texts in the sciences
-summarise, paraphrase and synthesise information from a variety of sources
-identify point of view of author, interpret data and read critically
-cite sources accurately and produce a bibliography
-research, prepare and construct an organised and coherent undergraduate academic essay, report or dissertation
-write in an accepted academic style
-respond appropriately to set essay questions and prepare for essay examinations
-understand and use key items of academic vocabulary
-engage in academic discussion

Aims
To improve the language skills necessary for the academic success of identified non-native English speaking students of science subjects, and to help these students develop an active academic vocabulary.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Extract key information from extended academic science texts: 1,2
Summarise, paraphrase and synthesise information from a variety of sources: 2
Identify an author's point of view, interpret data and read critically: 1,2
Cite sources accurately and produce a bibliography: 1,2
Research, prepare and construct an organised and coherent academic essay and/or report: 2
Write in an accepted academic style: 1,2
Understand and use key items of academic / scientific vocabulary: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours of contact time in class
30 hours assessment preparation
100 hours guided independent study

School Rules

ONLY open to NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH following recommendation by the Language Centre.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 50%
An online, KLE test of referencing, citation and academic writing
Students will complete an online KLE test, encompassing referencing, citation, plagiarism and academic style. There will be a multiple choice section, followed by a free writing section where students will be required to write a summary. The test will be open for 10 days, and students may complete it at any time during that time frame (including saving progress and returning to the work). Indicative word count is 1000 words.

2: Assignment weighted 50%
One piece of written work (a section of a research paper) totalling a maximum of 1000 words
Students will complete a piece of written work in which they synthesise information from three sources and write a short report of 1000 words.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 26 September 2026