Writing in English at University
- Free
- Paid certificate
- Beginner
- 3 weeks
Writing in English at University is Lund University's course on academic writing for people studying in English, especially second-language writers. Four modules cover the conventions of academic writing and the idea of process writing; how to structure a text and carry an argument through it; how to use and cite sources; and the writer's toolbox of editing and proofreading. The page estimates the modules at six, six, four and eight hours and schedules the course at three weeks of ten hours a week on a flexible timetable, at beginner level with no prior experience required.
Teaching is by video lectures and readings, with quizzes and reflective self-assessment questions, and the page says learners get access to a free electronic textbook written to accompany the course. The course carries Coursera's free flag, so the whole thing can be completed without payment; a shareable certificate is a paid option whose price is not stated, and financial aid is listed.
What you’ll learn
- Recognise the conventions of academic English and the stages of process writing
- Structure a text so that the argument is clear from introduction to conclusion
- Use and reference sources correctly in academic writing
- Edit and proofread your own drafts with a systematic toolbox
Who it’s for
Students about to write essays or a thesis in English, particularly those whose first language is not English; experienced academic writers will find it introductory.
Syllabus
4 sections as listed on coursera.org, 24 h 50 min in total.
- Writing in English at University: An introduction 6 h 21 min
- Structuring your text and conveying your argument 6 h 26 min
- Using sources in academic writing 4 h 6 min
- The writer’s toolbox: Editing and proofreading 7 h 57 min
Instructors
- Satu Manninen Professor, Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University
- Ellen Turner Senior Lecturer, Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University
- Cecilia Wadsö Lecaros Associate Professor, Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University
- Jennifer Sanchez Support Specialist, Guided Projects, Services, Lund University
Course details
- Skills covered
- Writing
- Proofreading
- English Language
- Writing and Editing
- Editing
- Includes
- 4 modules · 32 assignments
- Prerequisites
- No prior experience required
- Subtitles
- 24 languages
On coursera.org
Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 842 learners; 277,497 enrolled, as shown on the course page on 20 Oct 2026. These are coursera.org’s own figures, not ours.
Source: Coursera (opens in a new tab) · Verified · Report a change
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