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Academic writing guides for UK students

Free, honest guides on citations, essay structure, AI detection, and how to actually improve your academic writing — written by vetted UK academics.

⭐ Featured Guide
How to use AI feedback without breaching academic integrity — a complete guide for UK students
Getting feedback before submission is encouraged at most UK universities. But students are confused about what AI tools they can and cannot use. This guide explains exactly where the line is — with reference to QAA guidance, OfS expectations, and individual university policies.
By the Scholars Hub Academic Team · 12 min read · March 2026

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Latest Articles

Harvard vs. Chicago vs. OSCOLA: Which citation style should you use?
A practical guide to the 5 citation styles used at UK universities — when to use them, how to format them, and the most common mistakes each year group makes.
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What does an AI detector actually flag — and why does it matter for your submission?
AI detection tools are not infallible. This article explains what they detect, why certain phrases trigger flags, and how to write clearly without worrying about false positives.
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Why your essay introduction is losing you marks — and how to fix it in 20 minutes
Most UK undergraduate introductions do the same thing wrong: they summarise rather than argue. Here is a simple framework for writing an introduction that immediately tells your marker you know what you're doing.
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IRAC structure explained: How UK law students should structure every essay
Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion. Sounds simple — but most law students get the Application section wrong. This guide, written by a practising barrister, explains exactly what a marker wants to see in each section.
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The 10 most common Harvard referencing mistakes UK students make
Missing publication dates, incorrect et al. usage, URL format errors — this article covers the 10 errors that appear most often in our citation analysis, with corrected examples for each.
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How to write a Level 6 argument: what third-year markers are actually looking for
The jump from Level 5 to Level 6 is the hardest in UK undergraduate study. This guide explains exactly what changes between year two and year three — and how to write at the level your mark requires.
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APA 7th edition: A complete reference guide for UK psychology students
APA 7th changed the rules for et al., DOI format, and reference list order. This guide covers every change and shows you the correct format for the reference types UK psychology students cite most often.
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Is using AI feedback before submission cheating? What UK universities actually say
We reviewed the academic integrity policies of 20 Russell Group and post-92 universities. Here is what they actually say about AI feedback tools — and what is and isn't permitted in your institution's rules.
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Coming Soon

Coming Soon
Dissertation introduction structure: how to write a chapter your examiner can't ignore
Essay Structure · Expected April 2026
Coming Soon
OSCOLA quick reference: the 8 rules every UK law student needs to know
Citations · Law · Expected April 2026
Coming Soon
How to use primary sources in history essays without overstating their evidence
Essay Structure · History · Expected May 2026