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The ability to convey your thoughts and ideas in writing, orally or electronically, whilst also being able to listen intently to others.
Explore your understanding
Employers are looking for applicants who are able to understand information and deliver this information as effectively as possible. In almost every role, having good verbal and written communication skills will be seen to be important.
Understanding more about targeting your communication, being engaging, having an expressive style and remaining clear will help you build on your written and verbal communication skills.
Find and develop your skill
How can you improve your written and verbal skills at UCL?
Improve discipline-specific language
Enhance your discipline-specific writing and speaking skills by engaging with UCL Academic Communication Centre. Workshops, classes and tutorials are offered in collaboration with UCL faculties, for native and non-native English speakers.
UCL Academic Communication Centre
Learn a new language
Develop your written and verbal skills further and learn a new language within the Centre for Languages and International Education (CLIE). Try an evening language class or a summer course to build your verbal and language skills.
Use digital tools to expand written and verbal communication skills
Complete a course with ISD where you can build on your communication skills. Book onto a Word, Excel or PowerPoint course to learn how to present and deliver information effectively.
ISD Digital Skills Development
Use LinkedIn Learning to grow your skillset
LinkedIn Learning has a huge range of video courses supporting learning in software, creative and business skills – all free to UCL staff and currently enrolled students. Access LinkedIn learning content to build your written and verbal communication skills.
Join a club or society
Explore the different clubs and societies e.g. the Debate society or the Communications Society to further develop your written and verbal skills. The Students Union also offer a variety of skills sessions such as ‘Presenting with Influence’ & ‘Effective communication’.
Students' Union UCL skills sessions
Employer-led Skills Sessions
Recognise the importance of presentation skills and how employers will look for evidence of these in the application process. Attend an Employer-led Skills presenting workshop to develop your verbal communication skills. You can also take part in a 1:1 practice interview session or CV coaching session to build on your language skills both written and verbal.
Employer-led skills sessions
Read one of our bespoke articles on written and verbal communication
Explore a huge range of information resources (written by UCL Careers with you in mind) designed to help you research different skills, options, and find practical tips on topics including writing CVs and applications and preparing for interviews.
Developing your written and verbal communication skills as a Researcher
The UCL Doc Skills Programme is open to all postgraduate research students at UCL. Here postgraduate researchers will be able to find more details on the different courses that can support in developing written and verbal communication skills. You’ll find more information on all the courses available.
UCL Doctoral Skills Development Programme
You will also be able to browse the scheduled events for researchers and those for doctoral students. Research students can also access courses mapped to the Researcher Development Framework (RDF) and one-to-one advice, practice interviews and workshops tailored to researchers.
Prepare your examples
Ask yourself:
Do you have a project with an interesting point of view that you have worked on? Try role playing with others and presenting different perspectives. Think about a time where you have had to edit written communication for a different audience? What did you learn from this?
Next Steps:
If you have written a draft application for any type of opportunity, our team can provide personalised and practical tips/ advice to help you better understand how recruiters will shortlist your application, and how you can best demonstrate your motivation and your most relevant skills / experience.
Your writing skills can be practiced throughout your course by submitting essays and coursework. You can also develop your speaking skills through organising a group discussion or a debate in a seminar.
Want more support on how on demonstrate your verbal and written communications skills on your applications or CV?
Visit our Applications Advice page.