Students and teachers from different language backgrounds are at risk of becoming victims of conflicting trends and conventions when writing in English. This study compares conventions of English academic writing at several European universities with what is taught in English-speaking countries. Data were collected with questionnaires and by surveying university guidelines published online. The analysis shows that the basic concepts are similar, but there are differences in the attitude to accessible and inclusive language. This, however, does not seem to reflect on students' appreciation of their own needs, since they seem pleased with their courses and their own abilities.