How is the Certificate in Academic Writing different from the Certificate in Academic English?

Academic English covers academic register more broadly, including reading, listening and oral presentation alongside writing. Academic Writing focuses specifically on the writing craft — argument, evidence, citation, register. Choose Academic English for breadth; Academic Writing for depth in writing.

Does the Certificate in Academic Writing cover AI-assisted writing?

Yes. The course addresses AI assistance in academic writing explicitly — what's acceptable, how to disclose, where AI use crosses into plagiarism. UK universities are converging on disclosure-based policies and the course teaches to current practice.

Will the Certificate in Academic Writing help with dissertation writing?

Yes — directly. The argument-structure, evidence-integration and citation modules are the foundation any UK undergraduate or master's dissertation depends on. Many students take the Certificate before starting a final-year or master's project.

Can I take the Certificate in Academic Writing fully online?

Yes. Live tutored writing workshops, detailed written feedback on substantial assignments, and asynchronous discussion of academic-writing questions all adapt naturally to remote delivery.

Which citation systems does the Certificate in Academic Writing teach?

Harvard, MLA and Chicago at working level. OSCOLA (legal citation) is introduced briefly. You will leave able to apply Harvard and MLA confidently and switch between Chicago variants with reference to a manual.

Certificate in Academic Writing in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Academic Writing at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short, focused UK qualification in the craft of academic writing. Across three to six months you will develop structured argument, learn to integrate evidence cleanly, master UK citation conventions and write to the standard a UK undergraduate or postgraduate student is expected to deliver.

This Certificate is for adults preparing for or returning to academic study, working professionals moving toward postgraduate work, and writers in adjacent fields (think tanks, NGOs, policy organisations) where academic-grade prose is the working standard.

Key Features

Argument structure module — claim, evidence, reasoning, conclusion.
Evidence integration — quotation, paraphrase, summary, synthesis.
Citation discipline — Harvard, MLA, Chicago at working level.
Academic register — formality, hedging, signposting.
Three substantial assignments (1,500–2,500 words) with structured tutor feedback.
Three study modes — on-campus, fully online, or distance learning.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Academic Writing is built around the writing craft UK academic study examines on directly.

Structured argument — claim, evidence, reasoning, conclusion.
Paragraph discipline — topic sentence, evidence integration, analytical move.
Evidence integration — quotation, paraphrase, summary, synthesis.
Citation systems — Harvard, MLA, Chicago, OSCOLA brief overview.
Avoiding plagiarism — attribution discipline, AI-use disclosure.
Academic register — formality, hedging, signposting.
Critical engagement — evaluating and synthesising sources.
Common error patterns and self-correction strategies.

Who This Course Is For

Students preparing for or returning to UK undergraduate or postgraduate study.
Working professionals moving toward postgraduate research.
Think-tank and policy researchers writing to academic-grade standards.
Career-changers entering research roles for the first time.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Academic Writing supports academic progression and professional research roles. Typical applications include:

Progression into UK Diploma, BA or MA-level study at LSJHML or partner institutions.
Junior Researcher (think tank, foundation, policy organisation).
Editorial Assistant (academic press, research institution).
Civil Service Generalist (Fast Stream, policy roles).
NGO Programme Officer (research and reporting roles).
Continued Study (Diploma in Academic Writing and Communication, BA Academic Writing).

The Certificate articulates into the Diploma in Academic Writing and Communication at LSJHML for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior academic-writing training required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.