📍 Sheffield, United Kingdom  ·  UK-Registered Educational Institution
Accredited Course — Professional Skills

Communication Skills Development

A focused professional development programme building academic and workplace communication capabilities — for professionals returning to study and those seeking to sharpen professional communication.

Programme Overview

This programme at SMART is designed to provide learners with a thorough grounding in both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Communication Skills Development. All content is developed and delivered by Masum Murtaza (FHEA, PGCHE, MCMI, CMBE) — an active researcher and practitioner with over fifteen years of UK higher education experience.

Delivered entirely online through the SMART learning portal at smart.masummurtaza.com/learn. Self-paced, free to enrol, and leads to a SMART Certificate of Completion on passing the 70% threshold assessment.

What You Will Study

Foundations of Academic Writing

Sentence structure, paragraph development, academic tone and register, argumentation, and the conventions of scholarly writing.

Report Writing & Structure

Executive summaries, methodology sections, findings, conclusions and recommendations — structuring formal professional and academic reports.

Critical Reading & Argumentation

Evaluating sources, identifying assumptions, constructing logical arguments, and engaging critically with academic literature.

Presentation Skills

Structuring oral presentations, using visual aids effectively, managing nerves, and engaging professional and academic audiences.

Professional Digital Communication

Email etiquette, digital professionalism, LinkedIn and academic networking, and communicating effectively in remote and hybrid environments.

Referencing & Academic Integrity

APA, Harvard, and Chicago referencing styles, avoiding plagiarism, understanding academic integrity policies, and using reference management tools.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical foundations of the discipline
  • Apply established models and frameworks to analyse real-world situations critically
  • Evaluate evidence and construct well-reasoned arguments in line with academic standards
  • Translate academic knowledge into professional practice within relevant organisational contexts
  • Engage with contemporary debates and emerging issues in the field
  • Reflect critically on personal and professional development in relation to programme content
6Core Modules
Self-PacedNo Deadlines
CertificateOn Completion (70%)

Enrol in Communication Skills Development

Free to enrol. Complete all modules, pass the final assessment at 70%, and receive your SMART Certificate of Completion.

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