Academic Skills / Personal Development (Level 8)

Duration 12 weeks Full-time x 2.5 hours per week

Stage 1

NFQ Level Level 8

ECTS Credit 5

This module equips students with essential tools for academic success and professional growth. It focuses on building competencies in critical reading, effective research, analytical writing, and data interpretation, all tailored to business contexts. Students will learn how to approach complex case studies, structure coherent arguments, and cite sources responsibly, ensuring academic integrity.

Additionally, the module introduces key communication skills for clear presentations and persuasive writing, which are vital in both academic and business settings. Through practical exercises, students gain confidence and proficiency, preparing them for advanced coursework and future business challenges.

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Academic Skills / Personal Development (Level 8)

Indicative Syllabus

Study Skills

Learners will be introduced to learning styles;
Methods for effective note taking in class, on placement, and in self-directed learning hours;
Reflective journaling will feature.

Time & Workload Management

Learners will create a timetable of college and study hours while critically analysing where cross-over of skills and information occur;
Assignments will be scheduled into a timetable to allow the learner to manage their research time effectively.

How to Research an Argument

Formulating a position on an argument must first include looking at all the arguments provided, by whom, where, and when;
Researching skills and the tiering of sources will be unpacked and utilised to consider various viewpoints on topical matters.

How to Write an Academic Essay

Building a coherent argument in written form involves understanding the anatomy of an essay, a paragraph, and a sentence as well as formulating a thesis;
Development of logical, well formatted argument involved the process of drafting and redrafting a piece of writing can be enhanced by peer reviewed feedback.
Using the Harvard Referencing system, learners will learn how to credit authors and other sources of information when using them to back up and argument in a presentation or piece of academic writing.

Communications and Presentation Skills

The Communication Process, Effective and Active Listening; Developing verbal and nonverbal communication skills;
Debating;
Learning and applying assertiveness techniques through role plays;
Presentations of information can be made through various formats such as informally during a
discussion, via a formal power-point presentation, an oral presentation, and in a debate format;
Different presentation styles need to be adapted for each format.

Personal & Professional Development

Developing an effective personal profile;
Skills Audit
Personal SWOT
Personal goal setting and action planning;
Learning Styles;
Developing effective study techniques;
Managing time – the relationship between goals and time management;

Reflective Practice

The Reflective Practice Process
Continuing Professional Development Cycle
Personal Effectiveness

Module Details

Minimum Intended Learning Outcomes (MIMLOS)

On completion of this module learners will have been enabled to:

Apply reflection ‘in’ and ‘on’ learning to identify strengths and areas for development to develop an action plan for future learning and development and take more responsibility for their learning;
Apply effective research methods and writing skills to business and academic requirements and cite and reference appropriately;
Use visual and oral communications to develop and make effective presentations;
Develop and practice effective personal learning strategies to study in an effective manner and manage college workload in a timely fashion;
Plan and implement personal effectiveness strategies to them to plan and take action and achieve both work and life goals;
Develop a professional network to establish connections and relationships with others continuous interaction, nurturing and maintaining relationships that are of mutual benefit

Assessments / Exams

MIMLOs
Assessment
Percentage

This module will be assessed via 100% Continuous Assessment.

Reassessment Opportunity

Where the combined marks of the assessment and examination do not reach the pass mark the learner will be required to repeat the element of assessment that they failed. Reassessment materials will be published on Moodle after the Examination Board Meeting and will be aligned to the MIMLOs and learners will be capped at 40% unless there are personal mitigating circumstances.

Academic Skills / Personal Development (Level 8)

Expert Faculty

Learn from the best in your industry

Flexible Learning Options

Study your way, on your time

Career Focused Programmes

Programmes with purpose, aimed at your future

Student Support Services

Here for you, every step of the way

Get in touch

If you have any questions specific to this course, you can speak directly with one of our course lecturers. Please get in touch, we’re happy to help!