Workshops
The Mental Health Support Team also offers a wide range of workshops, which are bookable through their website here (http://www.counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/workshops/).
Academic writing: how to plan and develop a structure through analysis (on campus)
This session focuses on the development of ideas and the creation of connections between ideas and sources to produce a strong structure for written assignments. It works through a method of breaking down the question as an approach to planning a structured response. There will be the opportunity to work in groups to practise this, creating a response to a choice of assignments.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Fri 26 Jun 2026, 10:00 - Tomorrow, 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Tue 21 Jul 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Wed 19 Aug 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Library drop-in (on campus)
Ask us any questions on using the Library's resources or services, from where to find support with referencing, essay writing or doing a literature review. Our Library drop-in gives you the opportunity to speak to a friendly member of the Library and Student Team to get support and guidance.
Drop-ins are open to all University of Manchester students, researchers and staff. In peak times you may need to wait, support and advice will be provided as quickly as possible. You can join the drop-in at any time during the session!
Booking on
We encourage booking onto the event and participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops or tablets to the Library drop-in. If you don't have access to a device, there is equipment to borrow.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Mon 29 Jun 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Wed 1 Jul 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Mon 6 Jul 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Fri 10 Jul 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Mon 13 Jul 2026, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Reflective writing: how to write critically about your learning experience (on campus)
This workshop will give you practical experience of producing a piece of reflective writing, taking you through one possible model of reflective writing (Gibbs 1998). In the session you will learn about the conventions of reflective writing and how it differs from academic essay writing, before having the chance to write a draft of several key elements of a reflective writing piece, working with and receiving feedback from others in the group.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

Critical analysis: a practical approach (online)
In this session you will use a model for critical analysis to inform your critical thinking and support your analysing of new information. The model will move you from observing a source to connecting it to your own knowledge, and guide you in critically examining the new knowledge in the context of what you already understand. We will have some examples to use on the day, but you are certainly welcome to bring a chapter, image or other item from within your own subject to practice with.
Booking on
This event will take place on the online video conferencing app Microsoft Teams. Sign-up to receive the link.
Further support
Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat now, or send us an email: tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
Important information on Microsoft Teams:
All University of Manchester students and staff should have access to Microsoft Teams. For information on using Microsoft Teams, please visit the IT Services website:
https://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/ourservices/popular/microsoft365/teams/
For general support using Microsoft Teams, please visit the following website:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/join-a-meeting-in-microsoft-teams-1613bb53-f3fa-431e-85a
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Wed 1 Jul 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Thu 6 Aug 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Information Evaluation and Synthesis for Literature Reviews (on campus)
This workshop explores how sources are used within a literature review, with a particular focus on analysis and evaluation. Students will have the opportunity to practise constructing an argument through engagement with academic literature, identifying connections between sources and drawing out key themes, ideas, and questions. By the end of the session, students should feel confident in approaching synthesis in a way that enables their literature review to articulate a clear perspective and develop a coherent argument, rather than simply summarising existing research.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Thu 2 Jul 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Tue 28 Jul 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Academic writing: using references to support your writing (on campus)
This workshop will focus on how to reference sources in your writing. We will consider different ways of incorporating the work of others into your writing including using quotations, summarising and paraphrasing. We will also discuss how to find the right balance between the work of others (references and data), and your own voice in your academic writing by adding in your own analysis and connecting your ideas to your main argument in order to answer the assignment question.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Fri 10 Jul 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Tue 4 Aug 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
How to write an effective introduction (on campus)
Writing an introduction can be tricky. A good introduction should be concise, brief and engaging, providing the reader with an overview of the topic. At this workshop you will hear about how to write and structure an effective introduction and discuss the different elements which can be included. At the end, you will also have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have related to introductions.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

Critical analysis: a practical approach (on campus)
In this session you will use a model for critical analysis to inform your critical thinking and support your analysing of new information. The model will move you from observing a source to connecting it to your own knowledge, and guide you in critically examining the new knowledge in the context of what you already understand. We will have some examples to use on the day, but you are certainly welcome to bring a chapter, image or other item from within your own subject to practice with.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.

Proofreading: the final stage before submission (on campus)
Do you find yourself losing marks for referencing, spelling or grammar? This session will highlight how proofreading a written piece of work to a high standard will improve your marks and increase your academic success. You will work with others to define the term proofreading and understand its place in the process of academic writing. Finally, you will get the chance to put what you have learnt into practice, working together as a group to effectively proofread a sample piece of work.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat now, or send us an email: tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Wed 22 Jul 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Thu 13 Aug 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
GenAI tools and learning (on campus)
As Generative AI tools become embedded in many aspects of daily life, it may feel difficult to understand how to assess and potentially adopt these tools in your learning. This session will take you through some key aspects of these tools that might impact how and when you decide to use them. It will offer practical suggestions for ensuring that you use Gen AI tools in ways that help your learning and connect with academic integrity, effective learning practices and the ever-changing nature of this technology.
Learning outcomes
- To reflect on and apply critical thinking around GenAI tools and learning.
- To explore where use of GenAI tools may be most helpful for learning.
- To experiment with strategies that may help you use GenAI tools for learning.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place. This is currently a one-off session.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Thu 23 Jul 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Tue 18 Aug 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Critical reading: Making connections while you read (on campus)
In this session, you will learn about what it means to read critically in the context of your studies. You will practice critical reading strategies and learn how to extract key information. You will make connections between sources and develop your analytical and evaluative skills, so that you will be able to select the most useful sources for your purpose. Youll also discover tips on how to aid comprehension and note-taking. Finally, you will reflect on your critical reading skills and how to apply them in future.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via Library Chat now. Alternatively, you can email us for advice at tls@manchester-uk.libanswers.com.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
| Thu 30 Jul 2026, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
| Tue 18 Aug 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
