Academic literacy refers to your ability to successfully navigate, understand, interpret, and produce texts in the academic environment. Regardless of your field of study, you will be required to read and comprehend academic texts and to display your understanding by producing information in the form of essays, assignments, examination questions and reports in order to successfully complete a degree.
Most students face many challenges when they transfer from school to university and may not be aware of the demands of higher education in terms of workload and independent learning, or they may be under-prepared academically. In order to support you, in the process of acquiring and developing these academic literacy abilities, the NWU offers two Academic literacy modules at first-year level:
Introduction to Academic Literacy Development (ALDE111 or ALDA111)
Academic Literacy Development (ALDE122, ALDE112, ALDA122, ALDA112)
Depending on your Faculty requirement you will either register for ALDE111 and ALDE122 - the Academic Literacy module presented in English, or ALDA111 and ALDA122 - the Academic Literacy module presented in Afrikaans.
Who should complete the Academic Literacy modules?
All undergraduate students who register at the North-West University for the first time are required to complete the two modules in academic literacy. Students must pass these modules before they can graduate.