![A student smiles in a classroom](_images/a62a6419-first-year.jpg)
First-Year Writing
In first-year writing courses, students engage with writing as a practice of advanced learning and communication. The University Writing Seminar offers essential writing, thinking, and research skills. It is part of the Brandeis Core and is the centerpiece of the First-Year Experience. Many students begin with the Composition Seminar, which builds on students' existing skills in advance of UWS.
![female student working on her laptop](_images/writing-resources-box.jpg)
Writing Resources
The University Writing Program offers writing resources for faculty and students at all levels — teaching and learning tools developed here at Brandeis and at writing centers and programs across the country.![A student with Bofang Li in the writing center](_images/a62a8643-bofang-li.jpg)
Writing Center
The Library's University Writing Center is the driving force of writing support on campus, offering consultations for all writers. Work on anything from brainstorming and refining your first college essays to lab reports, senior theses, dissertations, and job and fellowship materials.
![The Research Help Desk in the Library Info Commons.](_images/help-lisa-r.jpeg)
Library Research
Since research is an integral part of college writing, the Library offers direct support from research librarians, in person and online. Subject specialists work with first-year writers and students at all levels.
![Prof. Lab standing in the front of an engaged classroom of students](_images/linderpix-brandeis-52337-intensive.jpg)
Writing-Intensive Courses
WI courses, taught by faculty in every department, build on the generalized instruction in UWS to teach students the conventions and requirements of writing in their chosen discipline and major. Faculty: explore our newly expanded Writing Intensive Instructor Resources.
![Hangyu Du '21, a Brandeis Student from Nanjing, China](_images/hangyu-headshot.jpg)
Hangyu Du '21 from Nanjing, China.
English Language Tutoring
The English Language Programs offer free tutoring services for international students and others leaning English as their second (or third or fourth) language. Tutors provide vital support for English Language Learners enrolled in UWS, CSEM, and all Brandeis schools and subjects.