Preparation course for master studies and developing learning skills

Preparation course for master studies and developing learning skills

Delivery institution

Faculty of Informatics
Student Support Centre

Instructor(s):

Rita Takács, Viktória Nagy

Start date

24 September 2026

End date

19 November 2026

Study field

CHARM priority field

Study level

Study load, ECTS

2

Short description

During this course, students in an international environment are introduced teaching/learning habits that may be new or useful in a university setting. The course focuses on soft skill development, time-and stress management, communication, learning methods and intercultural sensitivity. In the frame of this course we develop the communication and learning skills in English, which will critically contribute to their success at obtaining a degree and become successful employees or enterpreneurs in the 21st Century. In addition, we help them in their social integration. Students will obtain capabilities on how to learn successfully and efficiently and how to organize their time better between private life and studies. In addition the course will focus on communities in the group and it will highlight the importance and advantages of working in groups instead of studying alone. To accomplish this aim we will do practical trainings to facilitate the social relationships among the students.

Full description

About the course:

Preparation course for master studies / Learning Methodology

About the course

Teaching material
Caplanova, A., Csizovszky, F., Darmo, L., Gogibedasvili, A., Nagy, V., Pásztor-Nagy, A., Přívara, A. (2024). Soft and transferable skills course. Publisher: University of Eötvös Loránd Budapest, Faculty of Informatics, Student Support Centre Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c Budapest 1117 Hungary. ISBN 978-963-489-719-4, https://masudem.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Soft-and-Transferable-Skills-Course.pdf [accessed 30.01.2025].

Examples of topics:
Professional communication and networking
Communication with teachers /manner and style/
– Professional networking
– Writing a professional Biography
– Elevator Pitch
Project Management
Differences between leadership and management
– Covering leadership skills, giving examples of professional settings
– Project-based work processes
– Project-management cycles
Learning Methods
3.1. Memory
3.2. Collection of Learning Methods
3.3. Factors impacting learning
Time Management
4.1. University Life
4.2. Collection of Time Management Methods
Stress Management
5.1. Stress
5.2. Coping
5.3. Dependence

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

At the end of the course, the learner will acquires knowledge about system planning and project management.

At the end of the course, the learner will know what it means to learn and communicate and methods of efficient professional communication.

At the end of the course students will be able to assess how to match learning materials with learning methods, and will perform better academically due to using effective learning methods

Students will be able to manage their time with new tools and adjusting to a new university life faster

Skills

At the end of the course, the learner will be able to use the ability of professional communication in their specialized field.

At the end of the course, the learner will be able to cooperate in a team-based environment in the field of informatics and other professions.

At the end of the course, the learner will be able to to form and discuss authentic viewpoints about social, economic questions and specified topics of informatics.

Students’ stress management skills will improve by getting to know their existing toolsets and having new ones, at least 3 new techniques by the end of the course

They will be able to work together effectively in an international online team that mimics 21st Century working environments

Course requirements

There are no pre-requisites to the course

Places available

20

Course literature (compulsory or recommended):

Compulsory literature
Takács, R., Csizovszky, F., Gogibedasvili, A., Mihály, A., Nagy, V., Pásztor-Nagy, A., Rakovszky, D., Várnai-Ihász, J., Siposné Virág, S. (2022). Learning methodology and Preparation course for master studies and developing learning skills Training Handbook. Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Faculty of Informatics, Student Support Centre, ISBN 978-963-489-637-1
Takács, R., Gogibedasvili, A., Hattinger, L., Várnai-Ihász, J., Valapaichitra, T., Pásztor-Nagy, A. (2024). Student Services Course. University of Economics in Bratislava. ISBN 978-80-225-5147-2, https://masudem.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Student-Services-Course.pdf, [accessed: 30.01.2025].
Cimatti, B. (2016). Definition, Development, Assessment of Soft Skills and their Role for the Quality of Organizations and Enterprises. International Journal for Quality Research, 10(1), 97–130 DOI – 10.18421/IJQR10.01-05, ISSN 1800-6450.
Dochevska, Y. (2021). Defining Transversal skills: Perspectives and development. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 19(1), 621-625.
Hart, J., Noack, M., Plaimauer, C., Bjørnåvold, J. (2020). Towards a structured and consistent terminology on transversal skills and competences.
Laker, D., R., Powell, J., L. (2011). The differences between hard and soft skills and their relative impact on training transfer. Human Resource Development Quarterly, (22) 111–22.
Lamri, J., Lubart, T. (2023). Reconciling Hard Skills and Soft Skills in a Common Framework: The Generic Skills Component Approach. Journal of Intelligence, 11(6), 107. MDPI AG.
Kowal, B., Włodarz, D., Brzychczy, E., & Klepka, A. (2022). Analysis of Employees’ Competencies in the Context of Industry 4.0. Energies, 15(19), 7142. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197142
Nägele, C., Stalder, B., E. (2017). Competence and the Need for Transferable Skills. In: eds. Mulder, M., Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, 23.

Planned educational activities and teaching methods:

Soft skill training: 2 soft skill training with psychologists who have been training 1300 international students for 10 years on learning methods, time management, stress management, interculturalism and have been mentoring them as well. They also trained 600 Hungarian students each Fall semester for a decade.

Consultation: students will have a chance to consult teachers about the teamwork, project, self-paced learning elements and the course in general during the semester

Team work and project management: students will work on a project between the two soft skill training sessions and then they will present on the second session as well as reflect on the process

Self-paced learning with tasks related to raise awareness of their skill areas and getting to know new techniques (e.g. learning methods, time management, interculturalism, etc.)

Course code

IPM-20fmiPREPG

Language

Assessment method

Soft skill training, teamwork, self reflection, project work

Final certification

Transcript of records

Yes, we can give a certificate with the heading ot ELTE Faculty of Informatics and Head of Student Support Centre that the student finished the course and the course consisted of soft skill training.

Assessment date

18 November 2026

Modality

Learning management System in use

– Canvas Learning Management System – Teams group for online meeting – Neptun: for course registration and grading – Outlook: e-mail exchange and keeping in touch with students

Contact hours per week for the student:

On average: 2

Specific regular weekly teaching day/time

2 training times when students need to be present online (Teams group call) or in person in Budapest, ELTE, Lágymányos Campus: 2026. September 24. Thursday 12:00-16:00, 4 hours of soft skill training 2026. November 19. Thursday 12:00-16:00, 4 hours of soft skill training During the semester: – self-paced materials (e.g. Learning methods, Time management methods, reading materials) – t

Time zone