Academic Support: Undergraduates

Balliol undergraduates have access to a variety of academic support. First and foremost are their Tutors and Personal Tutors.

Library support

The College Library has a wide selection of reading material dedicated to study skills: the Study Skills and Well-Being section, housed on a small bookcase in the Library Foyer, covers topics such as referencing, essay-writing, exam techniques, time management and dealing with stress. The Library is happy to buy in books requested by students for their studies. The Library can also provide tailored study skills sessions individually or for groups, and regularly provides teaching sessions on thesis preparations, referencing and plagiarism, using SOLO, and using historic materials.

Transition to Oxford study skills resources

Balliol’s Outreach Officer has compiled an extensive list of Transition to University Study Skills Resources, including both general information and specific sources of advice on reading, making notes, writing essays, revision and time management.

Transition to Oxford wellbeing resources

In addition to the College welfare support that is available to students, there are a range of University services and resources which are set out in this list of Wellbeing Transition Resources.

Academic English courses

Oxford University Language Centre runs courses in Academic English to help students improve their academic written and spoken communication. Taught by specialists in Academic English, the courses are designed to meet the needs of students at the University of Oxford. The courses cost £95 for students per term and can be covered by College funding. Please complete the College Reimbursement Form after you have completed the course. Please upload your certificate of completion and proof of expenditure.

Graduate Mentors and Study Advisers

Tutors may recommend that their students be directed to subject-specific tutor-mentors from the Balliol graduate community. In addition, subject to assessment, the University’s Disability Advisory Service is able to put specialist support in place. And undergraduates may also be referred or refer themselves directly to one of the graduate Study Advisers the College has appointed (below).