Listening Skills to Succeed at University
Sharpen your academic listening for lectures and seminars
Listening Skills to Succeed at University is an online FutureLearn course created by the University of Leeds that frames listening as an academic literacy and practical skill for thriving in university settings.
The course focuses on active and academic listening, intercultural awareness, and concrete strategies for understanding lectures and participating in seminars, so learners can apply measurable techniques to improve comprehension and engagement.
At a Glance
Listening Skills to Succeed at University is an online short course from the University of Leeds delivered on the FutureLearn platform that introduces active listening as a practical academic skill for lectures, seminars and everyday campus interactions.
The course is led by University of Leeds lecturers and learning developers who guide learners through models of academic listening, intercultural considerations and practical strategies to improve comprehension and engagement.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration |
|
| Languages | English |
| Learners | 1K+ learners |
| Certificate | Digital certificate when eligible |
| Access | Free limited access with optional paid upgrade; subscription access available while subscription is active |
| Course includes |
|
| Price | Free with optional paid upgrade for certificate; also available via subscription |
What This Course Teaches
The course frames outcomes as observable competencies that learners can demonstrate in academic settings, turning listening from a passive activity into a set of actionable skills for lectures, seminars and everyday interactions on campus.
By the end of the course you should be able to identify types of academic listening, explain intercultural influences on comprehension, and apply critical listening strategies in university contexts.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organised into 11 sequential steps spread across two weekly modules and is designed to be completed over two weeks with about 8 hours of recommended study in total.
This two-week layout groups related activities into progressive steps to build understanding and offer practical practice opportunities.
Curriculum overview
01Welcome▾
Introduces the course and outlines expectations for learners starting the module.
02What is listening?▾
Invites reflection on personal listening experiences and examines what the listening process involves.
03A model for academic listening▾
Presents a model of academic listening, its different types, and the cognitive steps involved while listening.
04Listening as an interactive process▾
Considers factors that affect listener understanding and engagement in both face-to-face and online settings.
05Listening: Intercultural awareness and intercultural communication▾
Focuses on the role of intercultural awareness and how cultural differences influence listening and communication.
06Summary▾
Provides a concise recap of the first week’s topics and key points for review.
07About week 2▾
Introduces the second week, which focuses on effective academic listening within lectures.
08Listening in different disciplines▾
Explains different lecture types, what lecturers expect, and how speakers typically structure arguments across disciplines.
09The importance of effective listening▾
Examines the elements that contribute to effective listening and why they matter in academic contexts.
10Preparing to listen successfully▾
Introduces practical listening strategies and provides opportunities to practise applying them.
11Bringing it all together▾
Reviews and integrates the different aspects of listening covered throughout the course.
Audience & Requirements
The course is aimed primarily at students preparing to begin university study in the UK, including both international learners adjusting to English-medium instruction and home students transitioning to independent academic listening.
It is designed for learners who want practical, transferable strategies for listening in lectures, seminars and informal campus interactions.
- Prospective or new university students preparing for lectures and seminars.
- International students adapting to English-medium academic contexts.
- Home students seeking to improve lecture comprehension and participation.
- Learners wanting to develop intercultural listening skills for campus communication.
- No special academic prerequisites; suitable for beginners.
- Comfort using English at an undergraduate-entry level to engage with videos and articles.
- Willingness to participate in reflective activities and peer discussions.
Final Verdict
For prospective or new university students and learners wanting practical, actionable listening strategies, this short FutureLearn course is a low‑risk, targeted option.
Given its strong learner rating, an established learner community, and the ability to preview the content for free with an optional paid upgrade for a certificate, the course delivers clear practical value for its intended audience. It is best suited to beginners and to students preparing for English‑medium lectures; those seeking deep, research‑level study of listening theory should supplement it with longer, specialist resources.
