Academic Writing Centre for Staff

The Academic Writing Centre (AWC) provides one-on-one tutorials on essay writing. These are free and available to everyone, regardless of experience or grade average.

Postgraduate students are very welcome, as are undergraduate students. We work with students from all colleges and schools.

We are always happy to hear from members of academic staff. If you are interested in a workshop on academic writing for your class, please get in touch.

Workshops

We also hold ad-hoc workshops on various aspects of academic writing. Forthcoming workshops are advertised here: https://universityofgalway.libcal.com/calendar/workshopsevents

For students registered with the Access Centre, we also run a mentorship scheme, which includes regular scheduled appointments with an experienced writing teacher. Application for Mentorship by the AWC 2026-27 – Fill in form

Opening Hours and Upcoming Events/Workshops

Please register here for updates about additional opening hours, upcoming workshops and other events: https://universityofgalway.instructure.com/enroll/46G6CT

AWC Opening Hours

The AWC will open in September for walk-in appointments. Exact hours will be posted here on or before 7 September 2026.

Appointments outside our opening hours and online appointments are available for students registered with the Access Centre. These can be booked here: Request an Appointment at the AWC / Iarratas a dhéanamh ar choinne leis an AWC. – Fill in form

One-on-One Session at the AWC: What to Do We Do?

Our tutors, who are all postgraduate students at the University of Galway, work with students on a one-to-one basis. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes.

An session at the AWC lasts approximately 45 minutes. A tutor will discuss the student’s recent work, which can be a current draft or a past assignment. Together with the tutor, the student will explore their ideas and possible ways to express them

Depending on the student’s needs, the session might revolve around the following areas:

· Assignment structure

· Ethical use of secondary sources

· Issues with the writing process (including writer’s block and writing anxiety)

· Sentence level issues

At the end of the session, the student might identify specific areas of improvement or discover new approaches to writing assignments.

What do we believe?

We believe that developing as a writer is key to student success. Writing provides a path for the development of cognitive skills. It is also an essential skill and a crucial aspect of communication.

We also believe that writing is difficult. It can be enjoyable, and it is rewarding, but it is not an easy process. Student writers may face many challenges including time management and time poverty, isolation, and writing anxiety. We believe, moreover, that such challenges, are best solved together with another person. This is why we provide a non-judgmental space, where students can be free to explore their writing issues.

What do we not do?

We cannot help in any way that infringes upon academic integrity or interferes with the work of your lecturers.

· We do not do the work for the students. Instead, we support them in becoming better writers.

· We do not work as proofreaders or editors.

· Assess essays or comment on the grades they received.