Graduate Student Support

We can help with your writing, academic skills, or English skills if you're enrolled in any master's or doctoral program.

That means that we'll assist you as you write your thesis or dissertation, produce articles and papers, prepare for and deliver conference presentations, and learn what it's like to undertake high-level scholarly research.

We know that graduate school poses its own challenges. We can help you discover new ways to study, write, and meet expectations through appointments, events and workshops, and online resources specially designed for you.

We frequently partner with student groups and faculty members to offer discipline-specific support like workshops and writing retreats. Contact us if you'd like us to work with your peers or students.

All of our graduate student support is free.

Ways to Access Support

We offer a wide range of support to suit your needs. Whether you'd like to meet other graduate students to work collaboratively, work with our staff one-on-one, or explore study and writing methods right now online, we've got something for you.

If you're not sure where to start or how we can help, email us!

Our staff are specialists in helping you meet your academic goals. You can work with them one-on-one to

  • explore new ways to write and edit course papers, thesis and dissertation drafts, and texts for publication
  • prepare and practice giving conference and other academic presentations
  • read and make sense of academic articles and books
  • manage your time effectively, beat writer's block, and understand your supervisor's expectations
  • hone your academic English skills

Book your appointment with a writing, academic skills, or English language specialist now.

We have a series of online guides to assist you in your journey as a graduate student:

  • Learn more about graduate writing, including how to adapt your writing to different journals and mediums, and how to improve your structure, style, grammar, and flow.
  • Improve your writing process by joining or starting a graduate student writing group, or by reading about how to write more often.
  • Discover what academic integrity involves and how you can work within guidelines as a grad student.
  • The Academic Article Summary Sheet (PDF, 138 KB) can help you read and make sense of especially dense, complex academic articles.

You may also find these resources useful:

Our grad workshop series covers the core skills you’ll need to write theses, dissertations, and articles, to organize your time and stay motivated, and meet your supervisor’s expectations.

Sessions take place both online and in-person throughout the year.

Explore upcoming grad workshops.

e-feedback is a chance to receive written feedback on your academic work when it's convenient for you. No matter where you're studying or what commitments you have outside of university, our e-feedback can help with your writing.

  • What is it? A chance to receive written feedback on your academic work. This is not an editing service but a chance to reflect upon written feedback and develop your skills.
  • How does it work? 
    • Use our online booking system; look for consultants with an "eTutoring" option (under the Writing schedule) then upload your work (up to five (5) pages of writing).
    • We can provide feedback on drafts at any stage. For feedback on something specific, please leave a note at the top of your document.

Regular Programs

Students writing around a table in the library

Grad Writing Lab

  • What? A structured, online space to support your writing progress and sense of community. With the support of SASS staff, you will:
    • build a writing community to reduce isolation
    • increase accountability and persistence in writing
    • receive timely and supportive feedback.
  • When? Biweekly check-ins (Monday, Thursday) and weekday co-working sessions (Monday-Friday).
  • How? To access the Microsoft Teams channel, fill out our online form.
Group discussion at a grad workshop

Graduate Workshop Series

  • What? An ongoing workshop series for graduate students. Topics include academic expectations, reading strategies, writing and editing, conference presentations, and publishing journal articles.
  • When? Workshop series runs approximately twice per month, online and in-person.
  • How? Check out our Events Calendar for upcoming dates and to register for the session of your choice.
Students studying in Douglas Library

Dissertation Boot Camp

  • What? A multi-day writing camp for graduate students; workshops and consultations with SASS staff available to provide feedback and advice throughout.
  • When? Usually once per semester.
  • How? The School of Graduate Studies lists upcoming dates and manages registration.

“So often, people say that grad students should know it all already. It has been wonderful to have workshops for us. Getting this information now allows us to integrate the information into our current context."

Iman T
Education '22