Written and Verbal Communication

Your 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? 
There is a lot of support here to help you develop this skill!

• Employer–led Skills Session:
  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.
  
  Visit myUCLCareers for upcoming events
   

• Students' Union UCL:
  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’. 

• Information Systems Division (ISD) Digital Skills Development:
  Complete a course with ISD where you can build on your written communication skills. Book onto a Word, Excel or blogging session where you can learn tips on how to deliver information effectively.

• Centre for Languages & International Education:
  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. 

• UCL Academic Communication Centre:
  The UCL Academic Communication Centre is a new support service to enhance your discipline-specific writing and speaking skills. Workshops, classes and tutorials are offered in collaboration with UCL faculties, for native and non-native English speakers.

Postgraduate Researchers:

• UCL Doctoral Skills Development Training Programe (UCL Doc Skills):
  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 on our website. 
  
  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). 

Prepare your examples

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. 
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?

Want more support on how on demonstrate your verbal and written communications skills on your applications or CV?
Visit our Applications Advice page.

If you have written a draft application for any type of opportunity, our team can provide personalised practical tips and 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.