About this Independent Study

This independent study provides you with the opportunity to delve deeper into HE Skills at your own pace. You'll be exploring skills that are interpreted here toward an educational environment and developing a number of soft skills through a combination of self-directed research, hands-on projects, and reflective activities.

Explore key academic and personal skills that support success in HE and beyond.

Independent Learning Focus

Developing core skills like critical thinking, time management, and communication is essential for thriving and preparing for future careers. These skills help you study more effectively, manage your workload, and adapt to new challenges. Use the resources below to independently explore which skills are most relevant to your goals. Reflect on your current strengths and identify areas for growth—this will help you take ownership of your learning and build a strong foundation for academic and personal success.

Building Core Student Skills

To thrive in HE and beyond, students benefit from developing a range of transferable skills. These include critical thinking, time management, communication, adaptability, and self-motivation. Strengthening these abilities not only supports academic success but also prepares you for future career opportunities.

The article about 12 useful student skills from Indeed, located in your resources below, outlines 12 essential skills that help students succeed in their studies, including critical thinking, problem-solving, motivation, and time management, all of which are valuable both academically and professionally.

Core Skills for Success in HE

HE demands more than subject knowledge—it requires a strong foundation of academic and personal skills.

The guide from UniAdmissions highlights six essential areas: academic writing, critical thinking, time management, effective reading, communication, and soft skills like budgeting and self-care. Developing these early helps you transition smoothly into higher education and thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Read through each resource to develop your idea of necessary core skills that you currently possess, and those that you can build on going forward.

Recommended Readings & Materials

See the below list of recommended readings and materials:

12 student skills that are useful for your studies | Indeed.com UK - Summarises key academic and transferable skills to enhance study effectiveness and employability.
What Are The 6 Essential Skills For University Students? | UniAdmissions - Identifies six foundational competencies vital for academic success at university.