Study skills for international students

It may take you some time to adjust to studying in the UK as the approach to teaching and learning may be very different from your home country.

Don't worry, many UK students who are away from home for the first time will also need to adjust, and the Library is here to help and support you.

Each department has its own dedicated Academic Liaison Librarian, and your Liaison Librarian can:

help you find the right information for your assignments or research
give you advice about the resources to use
help you to evaluate the information you find
help you cite and reference other people's publications in your work

If you need to improve your research skills or to be shown how to use a particular information resource, your Academic Liaison Librarian will be happy to arrange a session with you. Find out who your Academic Liaison Librarian is, and the best resources in your subject area, from your Subject Guide.

Useful study skills books

We have lots of books to help you develop your study skills. Search YorSearch, using search terms such as "study skills", to find useful study skills books in the Library.

Some examples are listed below. Click on the title for information on current availability or click on the classmark to search for other books on the same subject.

Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan (earlier editions available) K 5
Davies, M. (2011). Study skills for international postgraduates. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan K 8.122
Godfrey, J. (2013). How to use your reading in your essays. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan 029.6
Lewis, M. and Reinders, H. (2003). Study skills for speakers of English as a second language. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan K 8.122
Murray, R. (2011). How to write a thesis. 3rd ed. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill (earlier editions also available) 029.6
Race, P. (2007). How to get a good degree: making the most of your time at university. 2nd ed. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill K 8.122
Tracy, E. (2006). The student's guide to exam success. Maidenhead: Open University Press (earlier editions also available) K 8.37

Further help with study skills

Prepare for success

Prepare for success is a free online learning tool to help you find out about different aspects of academic life in the UK and the skills needed for effective study.

Library help

Subject Guides - finding and using resources in your subject area.

Language help

International Pathway College - help with pre-sessional language courses
Writing Centre - help in developing your academic writing

Maths help

Maths Skills Centre - help with mathematics and statistics in your course

Academic skills

Academic skills, academic integrity and referencing resources to help you learn the skills needed for academic success

IT training

IT training - courses, online tutorials, course materials and booklets