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Preparing for your studies

Studying at university may be a different learning experience than you’re used to. Whether you're an undergraduate or postgraduate student, it helps to know what to expect when you start your studies with us, and where to get help if you need it.

Your timetable and term dates

If you’re new to NTU it’s important you attend your course induction. It's also useful to familiarise yourself with your term dates and timetable. Access all of this information by clicking on the relevant buttons below.

Learning environments

At university you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills in a variety of different learning environments.

You'll receive a full explanation about your course, and how you will be taught and assessed, as part of your course induction. You can also check what books and equipment you’ll need for your studies in your course induction information.

If any significant changes are made to your course, you will receive an update by email. If you still have a specific question about your course, please get in touch with your subject administration team.

Here are some examples of the typical learning environments you'll experience during your time at NTU:

These are delivered by an academic and held in lecture theatres, classrooms, and online. They will introduce you to the main themes of your subject and give you a framework to structure your learning around.

These are smaller interactive sessions led by an academic, providing an opportunity for you to debate and discuss your learning in groups.

You’ll be expected to prepare for all your lectures and seminars. Your course leader may set up study groups, where you can also discuss notes and share ideas with friends.

If your course requires access to technical support and the use of specialist facilities such as laboratories and studio spaces, you will have access to these.

This can vary from essays to portfolios and presentations. Your course tutors will give you essential advice on writing university-level coursework in your course induction.

You will be provided with opportunities to experience the professional world and gain insight into business practices and behaviours. Every course will continue to have work-like experience embedded within it. Our Employability team are here to support you every step of the way. They can help you with:

  • jobs and opportunities,
  • applications and interviews,
  • placements and work experience,
  • attendance at events like job fairs and skills workshops.

Talk to them via their live chat on their dedicated Employability website.

You may find that feedback at university-level is different to what you’ve experienced before, and it’ll almost always be given after you’ve handed in an assignment. You can contact your lecturers and tutors by email, or they may run office drop-in sessions if you’d prefer face-to-face feedback.

How to access your online learning environment

Most of your online learning will be in NOW (NTU’s Online Workspace) and Microsoft Teams.

NOW

  • You can access NOW via a browser (we recommend Google Chrome), or through the MyNTU app which you can download here.
  • It is a crucial information source containing videos of lectures, articles, and a wide range of learning resources, course materials, information and activities. You will also use it to make submissions and access support.
  • NOW contains your NTU Student Dashboard, designed to help manage your transition into university-level study and keep track of your progress. It’ll show how engaged you are with your studies, relative to your course mates. Your tutors have access to this information and may use it to offer support.

Microsoft Teams

The best way to use Teams is via the app on a laptop or PC. If you use a mobile device or the browser version, some of the features may not work for you. You can access your live Teams classes via the Teams calendar. Each session will go live the day before it takes place, giving our academic colleagues time to ensure the session is timely and appropriate.

Your IT essentials

We will provide you with a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 once you’ve enrolled. You’ll have an NTU email account, networked file storage and on-demand printing, plus a free printing and photocopying allowance at the beginning of each academic year.

Accessing NTU Wi-Fi

You’ll have free access to NTU Wi-Fi wherever you are on our campuses, from lecture theatres to NTU halls of residence. Just select 'ntu-wifi' in your network settings and enter your NTU ID and password.

Guide to connecting to Wi-Fi

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your NTU accounts, such as Office365 and MyNTU, by requiring two or more verification methods to prove your identity.

Step-by-step example of how MFA works
 

Staying safe online

Students are often targeted with various cyber scams so it’s good to know how you can protect yourself online.

In most cases, if you understand the basic ways to protect yourself and your information, it will mean that you can safeguard your data and not fall victim to online financial fraud and identity scams.

Whether you’re on campus, at home, or out and about, we're here to show you how to protect your personal information and keep all your devices secure. Take a look at our Cybersecurity page.

Student Charter

As a student at NTU your expectations will be as high as your ambitions and we’re committed to delivering a high-quality student experience that meets – and looks to exceed – those expectations.

The NTU Student Charter, is part of your Student Handbook. It is available on StudentHub and sets out what you can expect from the University, and what the University expects from you in return.

Support, and where you can find it

If you’re struggling with your studies – whether it’s an idea, or perhaps even a whole module – talk to your course leader and they’ll make sure you get the right help from the right people, at the right time. You’ll find contact details in your course information on the NTU Online Workspace (NOW), as well as in your course handbook.

If you feel that your issue is bigger than a single module – if you’re struggling to get to grips with the whole course, for example – contact your personal tutor, academic mentor, or the year tutor. It’s important to let them know what you’re struggling with (and why) as quickly as possible, so that we can help.

Your course administration team are here to provide advice and guidance throughout your time at NTU – from enrolment to submitting assignments, and from finding work experience opportunities to graduating.

All courses have the dedicated support of a course administrator who works closely with both teaching staff and students. They are your first point of call for all administrative matters – for example, notification of absence – and can also advise on withdrawal and course transfer, assessment deadlines, and other queries or concerns related to your studies. If you are unsure where to find information, your course administrator can point you in the right direction.

Your NTU Library offers access to individual and group study spaces, print books and printing facilities, plus a whole range of online services.

To access Library resources from wherever you are, visit Library OneSearch. It is your gateway to Your Library’s eBooks and databases.

Through the Library, you can also access academic skills support, maths and statistics support, and IT support. You can contact a staff member by:

We support you with your academic skills and maths and stats skills through Library Lunchtime Learning workshops, and appointments with staff members and Library Student Mentors:

Study spaces are available to book:

Visit the ASK Hub in NOW for further online guidance on any of the following:

  • Finding and evaluating information.
  • Academic writing and referencing.
  • Technology and software.
  • Maths and statistics.
  • Study Skills.
  • Using the Library and Library services.

Visit the NTU Library website to find out more.

If you need our support, there are a number of ways that we can help you.

For general enquiries about the support we can provide, visit our Student Support Services page or contact the team on student.support@ntu.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)115 848 6060.

Our international student support service can provide you with support on a range of issues including visas and regulations for working in the UK. They can also help you with language and study support.

Language support

Nottingham Institute of Languages and Intercultural Communication offers English language support to all international students on our degree programmes, and at no additional cost. At NTU we're committed to providing you with the best learning experience and to help you reach your full potential.

Our lecturers – who are experienced in teaching English for Academic Purposes – will work with you to improve your English language and study skills, and will also explain UK academic conventions related to your subject. You can attend classes to improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, or book individual tutorials with our staff.

Our sessions are aligned to your assignments, making it easier for you to understand how to communicate critically and with the appropriate academic tone. We work with your Course Leaders and Module Tutors to ensure our provision is tailored to your degree requirements.

We can help improve your study skills in the following:

  • Critical reading skills: helping you to explore academic texts more effectively.
  • Presentation and discussion skills: increase your fluency to contribute to academic discussion.
  • Listening skills: helping to make your lecturers and seminars more productive.
  • Academic writing skills: learn how to write what you mean in an accurate, academic way.

If you have questions about your tuition fees or need advice on managing your money, our Student Financial Support service is available to help you.

You can get the best start in managing your student finances with one of our monthly Money Matters workshops. They give an overview of financial help available at NTU as well as budgeting tips and ways to maximise your income.

Find out more about the financial support available including NTU's support for the cost of living.

Our Employability Team are here to help you throughout your time with us, and for up to three years after you graduate. They can support you with:

  • Jobs and opportunities
  • Applications and interviews
  • Placements and work experience
  • You can attend events, like job fairs and skills workshops

Find out more or talk to them via their live chat on their dedicated employability website.

Specific support for learning with a disability

We encourage you to tell us about your particular needs when you apply – ideally on your UCAS application form or NTU application. You're not obliged to declare it, but if you choose not to, you may not be able to access our full range of support services.

Not disclosed your needs to us yet? Tell us what you support you need. This information helps us to make the right arrangements for you and provide the best possible support, so that your experience at NTU is a positive one.

Disability and Inclusion Services

If you consider yourself to have a disability – including a specific learning difference (such as dyslexia), mental health condition, autism spectrum or a long-term health condition – we’re here to make sure you receive the tailored support you need to excel at university.

Get support tailored to your needs

Additional advice for postgraduate students

A postgraduate degree is different from an undergraduate degree, in how you apply, how it's funded, how you study and often how long you study for.

We've put together some useful information to help you make the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate-level study.