Learning experience

Studying at university is not  the same as studying at school.

The main difference is that
you are expected to study independently – to organise your time to study effectively by deciding which materials
to study and how. You will  be required to read about
your subject (reading lists are generally provided, particularly in the first year), prepare
for seminars and complete assignments.

You will have a studies adviser to support you, but remember to keep staff informed if you are having
any difficulties.

Academic year

The academic year is divided into two semesters.

The first semester runs from September until mid-January and the second from late January to May. Each semester comprises 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period.

Full-time students will typically study three modules in each semester.

Most modules are assessed through coursework and/or exams. The first semester exams are in early January and the second semester exams are in May.

Lectures, seminars and tutorials

Teaching is generally delivered through a combinations of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Lectures are formal teaching sessions, often with
a larger group of students.

Seminars, which usually provide a form of follow-up to lectures, take place in smaller groups and are often used to promote group discussion about a specific topic.

In tutorials, a small number of students meet with a tutor to discuss work and to raise points of particular interest or difficulty.