EdX

Academic English: How to Write a Thesis (edX)

Academic English: How to Write a Thesis (edX)

Academic English guides you through the process of becoming an academic writer into producing your first academic research publication. Created by academic writing experts, Academic English spans 5 modules explaining ideas for research, finding and sourcing relevant literature, reporting research methods and results according to disciplinary expectations, and developing critical insights into your findings. A world of academic language and expertise is at your fingertips in Academic English!

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Designed for anyone writing their first academic research project, Academic English: How to Write a Research Paper guides you through the process of becoming an academic research writer into producing your first academic research publication. Created by experts in academic writing, the course spans 5 modules covering what it means to be an academic writer, getting ideas for research, finding and sourcing relevant literature, appropriately reporting research methods and results according to disciplinary expectations, and developing critical insights into your research findings. A world of academic language and expertise is at your fingertips in Academic English!
This ground-breaking course covers a wealth of useful ideas, tips and language features focusing on each step of the research publication process. Featuring a range of exemplars from high-quality published research sources, and insightful commentary from disciplinary experts across the arts & humanities, social sciences, physical and life sciences, Academic English takes you through the key stages of planning, drafting, writing and revising a research thesis, dissertation or journal article. We cover the main structures and language features of each written section including the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion, with an array of individual and peer activities designed to bridge the gap between what you know and what you can do as a writer. Reflective course assessments test your knowledge of critical disciplinary academic content while guiding you through the academic writing process.
Start today! Join us on Academic English: How to Write a Research Paper and take the first step on your journey into becoming a successful academic writer with us!

What you'll learn

Module 1: Becoming an academic writer
Where to begin as an academic research writer? How can you take an idea and turn it into a research thesis or article? This module explores what it means to be an academic research writer in the 21st Century, covering concepts such as identifying current or future problems for research, challenging established facts or beliefs, and understanding and replicating existing research in your discipline. We also explore expert opinions on starting the academic writing process, and the different forms in which academic research writing may appear.

Module 2: Understanding academic language and conventions
Academic writing is the means of communicating with members of your discipline or research area. It is therefore important to learn how academics communicate with each other in written form, the language that makes academic writing different from other kinds of writing, and the conventions of citation and referencing used in your particular field of research. This module covers these ideas and more while presenting some useful tools that can help you bridge the gap between non-academic and academic writing forms.

Module 3: Planning and writing the introduction and the literature review
Despite some differences, the structure, language and processes used in writing the introduction and literature review sections of a research thesis or article are remarkably similar across disciplines. This module explores how writers can establish their research territory, present the gaps in current knowledge, and formulate their goals and aims, before considering how the work of others can be integrated into your own arguments and stance.

Module 4: Exploring the method and results sections
This module covers key aspects of reporting research methods and data types. We explain how to report participant samples, research instruments, experimental procedures and research design, before covering how to report a range of qualitative and quantitative data types includings interview and observation data, surveys, statistical tests, tables and charts.

Module 5: Discussing and concluding your findings
Now the research is complete, what does it all mean? This final module helps you find and select the key points of your research findings so that you can summarise what it all means for the academic reader in your discipline or research area. We cover the art of making claims about your findings while considering your study's limitations and ideas for future research.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone (Coursera)

Do you want to speak better English? This course will help you reach that goal. Speak English Professionally: In person, Online and On the Phone will boost your English speaking skills. In this 5 week course, you will learn how to identify and make a strong personal introduction. You will develop and demonstrate the speaking skills for group discussions: how to agree or disagree, how to clarify, restate and summarise. You will develop and demonstrate the speaking skills for group discussions: how to agree or disagree, how to clarify, restate and summarize.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Academic Writing Made Easy (edX) EdX
Technische Universität München - TUM,TUMx

Academic Writing Made Easy (edX)

Struggling with writing an academic text? This MOOC will ease the pain – and make your writing shine. This MOOC takes you through the basics of academic writing step by step. From structuring and organising an academic text to avoiding common pitfalls that can negatively affect your credibility, this 6-week course offers a guide for those who want to improve their writing.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera)

In this project-based course, you will outline a complete scientific paper, choose an appropriate journal to which you'll submit the finished paper for publication, and prepare a checklist that will allow you to independently judge whether your paper is ready to submit. What you'll need to get started: This course is designed for students who have previous experience with academic research - you should be eager to adapt our writing and publishing advice to an existing personal project.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Upper-Intermediate English: Business and Technology (edX) EdX
Universitat Politècnica de València,UPValenciaX

Upper-Intermediate English: Business and Technology (edX)

Take your English language skills to the next level. We will discuss technological innovations as you enhance your English vocabulary and grammar and learn how to write a business plan. This course is the fourth in a series of four English language MOOCs designed for students with an intermediate level of English looking to reach a higher intermediate level. The course is comprised of video lessons, reading comprehension activities, grammar explanations and exercises, listening comprehension activities and speaking practice.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
English for Doing Business in Asia - Writing (edX) EdX
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST,HKUSTx

English for Doing Business in Asia - Writing (edX)

Introducing strategies for developing your written English communication skills in the context of doing business in Asia. The use of English for doing business in multinational settings is a fact of life for many business people. And, as Asian economies expand and become more involved in the global economy, having the ability to write clear and concise English is important when exchanging information.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Preparing to Network in English (edX) EdX
University of Washington,UWashingtonX

Preparing to Network in English (edX)

Learn the basics of networking while you grow your social network and professional connections. Practice speaking to improve your English language skills for increased success in job hunting. Networking in the business world is key to career success. Research shows that many jobs are never officially advertised. Many companies rely on word-of-mouth advertising to hire employees, so connections with people are important!

Self Paced
Self-Paced
General Academic English | 生活英语进阶 (edX) EdX
Tsinghua University,TsinghuaX

General Academic English | 生活英语进阶 (edX)

Do you want to join in academic communication on international conferences and read academic papers? Join us on a journey in academic English! It is an essential ability for academic researchers to master the academic skills and join in academic communications. This course encourages you to read, write and share your ideas while studying English for academic purposes.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Business English: Networking (Coursera) Coursera
University of Washington

Business English: Networking (Coursera)

This course begins with a welcome message and an overview of the Specialization. After this introduction, you will be asked to take a proficiency test to see if this course is right for you. During the course, you will begin learning vocabulary and customs related to socializing and networking in English. The goal is to enable you to interact with business contacts in person, on the phone and over email in a professional way.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
English Grammar and Style (edX) EdX
University of Queensland,UQx

English Grammar and Style (edX)

Learn key concepts and strategies in grammar and style to help enhance your writing and confidently respond to the demand of high levels of literacy in the 21st century. With the rise of social media and the Internet, many people are writing more today for different mediums than ever before. We’ll present materials that cover grammatical principles, word usage, writing style, sentence and paragraph structure, and punctuation.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Inglés básico: conversacional y networking (edX) EdX
Universidad Anáhuac,AnahuacX

Inglés básico: conversacional y networking (edX)

Cumple tu meta de aprender inglés básico para utilizarlo de forma estratégica en los negocios e incrementar tu éxito profesional. En tu vida diaria y laboral, seguramente te has enfrentado a situaciones en donde tienes que leer, entender o hablar inglés y te encuentras en una encrucijada cuando no te sientes capaz de realizarlo de manera efectiva.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
English for Doing Business in Asia - Speaking (edX) EdX
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST,HKUSTx

English for Doing Business in Asia - Speaking (edX)

Introducing strategies for developing your spoken English communication skills in the context of doing business in Asia. The use of English for doing business in multinational settings is a fact of life for many business people. As Asian economies expand and become more involved in the global economy, a lingua franca – a language used to communicate among groups of people who do not share a mother tongue – is needed to exchange information.

Self Paced
Self-Paced