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The Academic Writing Blog

Expert tips on dissertations, essays, referencing and acing your studies — from our team of academic writers.

What Is a 2:1 Degree and How Do You Achieve It?

Quick answer: A 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours) means finishing your UK degree with a credit-weighted average of 60-69%. It sits below a…

3 Sep 2026 · 46 min read

How Does the UK University Grading System Work? A Complete Guide

Quick answer: UK universities grade on a 0-100% scale where 70%+ is a First, 60-69% is a 2:1, 50-59% is a 2:2…

20 Aug 2026 · 47 min read

How to Write a Literature Review: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

A complete step-by-step guide to writing a literature review: defining your question, searching and evaluating sources, identifying themes and gaps, structuring, synthesising,…

DissertationLiterature ReviewResearch
19 Jun 2026 · 9 min read

How to Write a Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

A clear, step-by-step guide to planning, researching and writing a dissertation that earns top marks.

DissertationResearchWriting Tips
12 Jun 2026 · 2 min read

How to Write a First-Class Essay: 8 Proven Tips

Eight practical tips from our academic writers to lift your essays from good to first-class.

EssaysTop GradesWriting Tips
9 Jun 2026 · 1 min read

Harvard vs APA Referencing: Key Differences Explained

Harvard and APA look similar but differ in key ways. Learn the differences and avoid losing marks.

APAHarvardReferencing
5 Jun 2026 · 1 min read

10 Time-Management Tips to Beat Assignment Deadlines

Ten simple time-management habits that help students meet every assignment deadline, stress-free.

ProductivityStudy TipsTime Management
31 May 2026 · 1 min read

How to Choose a Strong Dissertation Topic

How to find a dissertation topic that is original, manageable and scores highly.

DissertationResearchTopic Ideas
25 May 2026 · 1 min read
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