Undergraduate students

The best preparation for working independently is learning independently. That's why, as part of our commitment to your future employability, we give you opportunities for supported independent learning.

How you will be taught?

Lectures 
These give you a framework to structure your learning around. They will introduce you to the main themes of your subject.

Independent research
Most of your study time will be spent outside the classroom. Remember, you will be expected to conduct preparatory reading for all of your lectures and seminars. Some of the best independent research can be done with peers from your course, so why not set up your own study groups?

Seminars and workshops
These provide an opportunity to debate and discuss your learning. They are designed to be interactive, so you will need to contribute to them.

Preparing coursework
One useful rule of thumb for your essays, reports, and practical work is to allow one week of research and writing for every thousand words you have to write.

Learning from feedback
Feedback in HE is different to prior studies, it is nearly always given after the assignment has been handed in. Make sure you take time to understand and learn from it.

You will discover the specific teaching methods applicable to your studies in your course induction.

How important is your first year?

You first year is quite possibly the most important of your whole degree. Why?

• The first year introduces the essential, basic parts of your degree and the expectations underlying university study. Getting these right from the start will enable you to meet the demands of the following years of study.
• Your first year results may be used to assess possible option choices in your future years.
• If you are on a course with a work or placement element, the only grades that the recruiters will see is from the first year. And when you apply for graduate jobs, increasingly employers are looking at marks from all years of study, especially your first year.
• Your whole university life experience is important, but you need to develop a work life balance that allows you to make the most of your time at university. You need to learn to have fun, but crucially achieve the results that will stand you in good stead to meet your future.

We're not suggesting that you immediately commence 50-hour weeks of study. However, it's important that you commit to working regularly and consistently throughout the year.