These writing retreats are a collaboration between the Graduate School and the Centre for Academic English. They provide a focused opportunity for you to make major advances in writing your thesis in a supportive environment that will enhance subsequent productivity. You will have the opportunity to complete a significant piece of writing, gain new perspectives on your attitude and approach to writing, and review your writing habits in order to become more effective writers.

The retreats are designed for final year students who are at the initial stages of their thesis planning and writing, who are aiming to submit within a year of the retreat date.

Before the retreat, you will have some videos with content to watch and simple activities to complete that will prepare you for the retreat.

During the retreat, there is plenty of time set aside for writing. There are short talks on specific writing issues and areas such as maintaining motivation. Graduate School and Centre for Academic English tutors are available for one-to-one support throughout the retreat. These meetings are focused on generating solutions to writing problems, assisting in developing drafts, and providing feedback on writing in-progress.

Upon completion of this retreat you will be better able to:

• Plan and manage the thesis-writing process
• Set clear and achievable goals for writing
• Write clear, precise and organised academic text 
• Structure and connect the narrative of your research writing
• Maintain the momentum and your wellbeing

Bookings will close approximately 4 weeks before each retreat to allow you to complete the independent preparation work before the in-person component of the retreat.

There are no further sessions taking place this academic year.  Our 2023-24 course dates will be available to book mid-September 2023.