coursework

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "coursework" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referencing school assignments, such as essays, projects, and research papers, that are part of a student's coursework for a particular class or program of study. For example: "I have a lot of coursework on my plate this semester, including a 20-page research paper and several presentations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In history we're researching the problems that year 13 students encounter with critical thinking, particularly with evaluation of historical sources for their independent investigation coursework essay.

The Guardian

Some state boards, like the Alaska Police Standards Council, do not require any mental health crisis training at all, while others either require a few hours of coursework or include mental health issues in broader disability training.

The Guardian

Michael Gove's "reforms" would reinstate the single end-of-course exam, with no coursework, which must adversely effect some female students.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My own school career included stealing, shouting at teachers, smashing windows, submitting aggressively pornographic stories as GCSE coursework, getting caught having sex, nearly getting expelled, earning one E at A-level, and not heading off to Oxford University, as my parents had hoped, but to a job in a shop from which I was sacked for thieving.

The Guardian

Those were also the weeks in which I had to finish my extended project, my English literature coursework and do my exams, while I was in and out of hospital as well.

The Guardian

Do you score much lower on exams than on homework or coursework?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the time, the Observer broke the story: coursework that had been given the highest A-level grades had been marked down across the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

In my coursework I studied the writer Henry David Thoreau, who said: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer.

The Guardian

This may disrupt planned exams and mean that students do not receive marks for coursework or other assignments.

The Guardian

For the first time, the report ranked the top 30 MBA programmes based on their coursework and research in these areas.

The Economist

Rarer are details of particular coursework, except when discussing online components, or average salary jump.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a specific piece of work, such as an essay or research paper, specify the type of "coursework" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "coursework" as a vague substitute for more precise terms like "assignments", "projects", or "essays" if the context requires specificity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coursework" is as a noun, typically referring to the work that students do as part of their studies. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in academic contexts, such as essay writing, research projects, and general assignments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Academia

31%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "coursework" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe the academic work undertaken by students as part of their courses. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, business, and academic settings. While it's frequently used, it's important to be specific about the type of "coursework" when clarity is needed. Common errors include overgeneralization, where "coursework" is used as a vague substitute for more precise terms like "assignments" or "projects". In summary, while "coursework" is a versatile term, ensure its usage is contextually appropriate for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assignments

Focuses on the specific tasks assigned as part of a course.

schoolwork

General term for work done for school, potentially broader than just graded assignments.

classwork

Emphasizes work done during or related to class sessions.

homework

Refers specifically to work completed outside of class time.

projects

Highlights longer, more involved assignments.

academic tasks

A more formal way to refer to work assigned within an academic setting.

studies

A broad term covering the general effort of learning and completing work.

exercises

Focuses on practical application and skill-building activities.

assessments

Emphasizes the evaluation aspect of academic work.

readings

Refers specifically to assigned reading materials.

FAQs

How do I use "coursework" in a sentence?

You can use "coursework" to refer to the work carried out by students of a particular course, such as "The "coursework" for this semester includes two essays and a presentation."

What are some alternatives to "coursework"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "assignments", "schoolwork", or "classwork".

Is it correct to say "course works" instead of "coursework"?

No, "coursework" is generally used as an uncountable noun, so the plural form "course works" is not standard. However, "course works" can be used to refer to individual creative or design assignments.

What's the difference between "coursework" and "homework"?

"Coursework" refers to all the academic work required for a course, whereas "homework" specifically refers to assignments completed outside of class time.