undertaking a course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertaking a course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of enrolling in or participating in an educational program or class. Example: "She is currently undertaking a course in environmental science to further her knowledge in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This study developed a quantitative methodology to ascertain lead indicators of student sense of community whilst undertaking a course of study.

The Internet and Higher Education

Animal is in anger management, undertaking a course of therapy, success of which is predicated on nobody mentioning the D-word.

The Guardian - Film

When people are interested in figuring out rights and obligations before undertaking a course of action and a little more objectivity is possible.

Stanford University

In our initial specification we find job satisfaction to be positively related to studying in the area of education/humanities, undertaking a course perceived to have a good reputation among employers, that is prestigious and vocational in nature, being employed in a job related to ones field of study, employed in an R&D intensive firm and working in the public sector.

IZA Journal of Migration

Ryder had hoped to be a fashion designer, undertaking a course at Central Saint Martins which he did not complete; from there he worked in retail, first for Prowler and then for the designer Vivienne Westwood.

Wikipedia

Medical students are generally young people, often away from home for the first time and undertaking a course in which they are learning to care for people at all stages of life, including those approaching death.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I recently undertook a course in English language teaching at the Intensive School of English & Business Communication in Brighton and Hove.

Independent

All staff and managers undertake a course on preventing and addressing harassment, including sexual harassment, while additional sessions have recently been introduced.

The Guardian

Instead, Turing was left humiliated when he was charged and convicted of public indecency and, instead of serving a prison sentence, voluntarily undertook a course of chemical castration.

The Guardian - Opinion

All new students admitted to Texas A&M University at Qatar undertake a course entitled Foundations of Engineering I (ENGR 111); an introduction to the engineering profession and its required skills.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Below stairs, Thomas had undertaken a course of electrotherapy – "to change me, to make me more like other people, other men".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing educational pursuits, consider using "undertaking a course" to convey a sense of active engagement and commitment to the learning process.

Common error

Avoid using "undertaking a course" in very informal contexts; alternatives like "taking a class" might be more suitable for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertaking a course" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a nominal, describing the action of participating in a course of study. Ludwig AI supports this use with examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertaking a course" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe active participation in a program of study. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, including academic, news, and scientific sources. While suitable for professional and neutral registers, it might be less appropriate for very informal settings. Consider alternatives like "enrolling in a program" or "taking a class" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Remember, "undertaking a course" conveys a sense of engagement and commitment to the learning process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enrolling in a program

Focuses more on the act of signing up, rather than participating in the course itself.

pursuing a study program

Emphasizes the active following and engagement in the study.

participating in a class

Highlights the active involvement and attendance in the course sessions.

taking a subject

A more general term indicating the subject being studied.

doing a module

Specifically refers to completing a single module within a larger course.

commencing a curriculum

Suggests the beginning of a structured series of courses.

engaging in coursework

Highlights the work and assignments involved in a course.

attending a seminar

Refers specifically to attending a seminar as part of education.

studying a discipline

Refers to a broader field of study, rather than a specific course.

completing a training session

Indicates finishing a practical training, as opposed to academic course.

FAQs

How can I use "undertaking a course" in a sentence?

You can use "undertaking a course" to describe someone's current educational pursuits, as in, "She is currently undertaking a course in graphic design".

What are some alternatives to "undertaking a course"?

Some alternatives include "enrolling in a program", "pursuing a study program", or "taking a class", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See "enrolling in a program".

Is it better to say "undertaking a course" or "taking a course"?

"Undertaking a course" suggests a more active and committed involvement, while "taking a course" is a more general term. The best choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "undertaking a course" and "studying a subject"?

"Undertaking a course" refers to the specific action of participating in a structured learning program, while "studying a subject" refers to the broader field of knowledge being learned.