Throughout your course, but perhaps especially at the start, there are resources available to support the transition from sixth-form to University and the ongoing development of skills to help students meet the challenges that they face. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with these resources in good time for them to be useful as you begin your course and to bear them in mind thereafter. There is lots of online and face to face support available both in Selwyn and across the University to provide advice tailored to you.
2.3.1 College and University Resources
The Selwyn Library is an excellent source of support for online and print research and also contains books dedicated to academic skills and welfare. See the library Study Help page for more information on these resources, as well as guidance on referencing and good academic practice.
The CamGuides introduce new students to the University of Cambridge and provide tools supporting academic success. The site includes short videos with reflections and advice from current undergraduates. Topics covered include:
- How will I learn in Cambridge?
- Where will I learn in Cambridge?
- What academic skills will I develop?
- How do I find books and articles from a reading list?
- How do I reference and avoid plagiarism?
2.3.2 The Study Skills Tutor
The Study Skills Tutor for 2026-27, Dr Stuart Eves, is available for one-to-one coaching sessions throughout term time. If you would like to have a conversation about your individual study skills; guidance on how to become a more effective and efficient researcher and writer; or help initiating a group activity, such as a writing retreat or personal development workshop; please contact him to arrange a meeting. The University has many resources dedicated to personal and professional development—the Study Skills Tutor can help you identify which resources might be best for you and where to find them.
2.3.3 The Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow
In conjunction with Newnham College, Selwyn enjoys the part-time services of Writing Fellows funded by the Royal Literary Fund. In confidential, one-to-one tutorials, it is the Writing Fellow’s role to assist students with their essay-writing skills. The Writing Fellow in 2026-27 is Dr Ruth Martin (ruth.martin@rlfeducation.org.uk). Any student wishing to set up one or more sessions with Dr Martin should contact her directly. The support the Writing Fellow provides is not solely intended to help improve academic writing, although that is the major focus of the advice they give. Nor should it be regarded as purely a remedial service. Many students writing at a very sophisticated level also benefit from the extra edge and clarity that the Writing Fellow can help them to achieve in their prose. It is also worth noting that this is not only useful for Arts students: the Writing Fellow is often a scientific author and all can benefit from their advice.
Click here for the RLF flyer (to be updated soon).