Critical Thinking Skills for University

Develop your skills in critical, analytical & logical reasoning to succeed as an academic university student...coming soon!

"Thanks to Niamh, I developed my English and critical thinking skills, including, but not limited to, how to recognise and evaluate arguments...which has allowed me to succeed in my university studies."

- Riccardo Mangiapelo, BSc Computer Science, Loughborough University.

Find out more about this course:

This 5-week course will develop your critical thinking skills which are a fundamental skillset for every person, especially those attending university. In the future workplace, employers will be looking for candidates who can demonstrate the qualities of a critical thinker, such as; logical & analytical reasoning, developing & supporting arguments, identifying fallacies & biases in research.

To enroll in this course, you must have an upper-intermediate level of English and be willing to commit between 5-8 hours of study per week.

Upon enrollment, you will be able to access our private online learning group for daily language activities, discussions and tasks. As well as, our teaching platform where lectures will be published.

The course is coming soon & contains the following structure:

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: New 1-hour Video Lecture
  • Wednesdays: Reading/Writing/Listening Task
  • Saturdays: Live Q&A Lesson with Niamh
  • Daily: Activities, tasks & discussions in the private learning group

In this course, you will learn:

  • What is critical thinking?
  • Why critical thinking is important in higher level education
  • How to develop your own logical and analytical reasoning
  • The role of objective reasoning in academia
  • The habits of the mind that control critical thinking
  • The need for argumentation at a higher level
  • What is a premise of reasoning?
  • How to logically form structures in an academic context
  • What is a fallacy?
  • The role & different types of fallacies
  • How to identify & overcome fallacies
  • How to develop logical forms of reasoning
  • How to apply systems thinking in an academic context
  • How to assess claims & evidence in an academic context
  • How to identify biases in academic studies
  • How to overcome assumptions in academic studies
  • How to evaluate arguments
  • How to develop your own argumentation skills (written & spoken)
  • How to critique academic texts
  • How to objectively analyse academic studies to develop new research questions
  • How to solve problems through analysis
  • How to become an independent learner

Critical thinking skills are essential for any student wanting to enter into higher education, but they are not easy. By developing this skillset, you will also become a more prospective candidate for future employers in your chosen career.


Your Instructor


Niamh Kelly
Niamh Kelly

I'm a University Lecturer, specialising in academic English, and English for specialist subjects (Science & Engineering) with a Teaching Diploma & a Master's Degree in Science. For over 12 years, I have been designing, coordinating & teaching English & Science courses to international students. I have designed courses for leading English language schools in Cambridge & Oxford, as well as Trinity College, Dublin. (Courses are listed below)

I have now Co-Founded, Hippo Educational Technologies, which creates technology to help English learners improve their academic English to advance their studies & careers. ‘Hippo Campus’ is the name given to our online school.

Join our courses to learn new strategies & techniques that I have specifically designed to help you, as an English learner, to succeed in expanding your academic language and fluency. Whether you need to pass an English exam, get into university, achieve a degree or access your chosen career path, we have the courses that can help you achieve your goals.

I look forward to working with you,

Niamh Kelly

Courses that I have designed include:

  • Science Without Borders (English for Science students): Trinity College, Dublin
  • Bioscience
  • Experimental Science
  • English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for Science
  • EAP for Engineering
  • Critical Thinking for Science/Engineering
  • Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods
  • Dissertation Development
  • Personal Statement Writing for University
  • Communication Skills
  • Statistics

Some of the institutions that I have taught in:



Course Curriculum


  Week 1: Lecture 1
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 1: Listening & Writing Task
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 2: Lecture 1
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 2: Listening Task
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 2: Lecture 2
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 3: Lecture 1
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 3: Reading Task
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 3: Lecture 2
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 4: Listening (and thinking) Task
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 4: Lecture 2
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 5: Lecture 1
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 5: Listening & Thinking Task
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Week 5: Lecture 2
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course is 5 weeks in duration and lectures & activities are uploaded on specific days. New lectures are uploaded on Tuesdays & Thursdays with new reading tasks on Wednesdays & Mondays. You will also be invited to join live lessons with the course instructor, Niamh Kelly, on Saturdays where you can ask specific questions about the course & improving your skills.
How long do I have access to the course?
If you only enroll in this course, then you can return to the lectures for as long as you want with lifetime access. However, if you are accessing this course through the membership plan, then you can access it for the duration of your membership.

Get started now!