Universities and college have different teaching methods - find the one which is right for you

Many courses in higher education now place considerable emphasis on your ability to learn independently. The actual styles of learning vary considerably, both from one subject to another and from one institution to another.

In all cases:

  • read prospectus information on teaching methods carefully
  • look at the institution's website to weigh up which approach will suit you best.

Our institution guide has contact details for each university and college.

Generally:

  • arts and social science courses use a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
  • technical and scientific courses tend to place more emphasis on practical sessions, laboratory work and workshops. This hands-on practical approach will also apply to dance, music, drama and art and design.

The more practical the subject, the more practical the learning itself will tend to be, with a greater emphasis on doing rather than discussing.

Learning style

The way courses are taught affects the number of hours spent on campus and the flexibility with which these can be managed. Some courses may involve fieldwork, perhaps with residential periods away during holidays. Other courses may involve work placements or periods of study abroad. Again, the implications of these need to be thought through.

Traditional styles of learning still exist, but experiential learning (ie learning through experience or doing) is becoming more and more important. Although the gaining of knowledge and understanding is highly valued, higher education is increasingly conscious of the importance of skills and abilities. This is particularly true of those transferable skills that will assist students in a lifetime progression of learning, training and work.

Contact with tutors and students

You may wish to find out how:

  • many students are likely to be on the courses in which you are interested
  • the likely sizes of lecture and seminar groups
  • the ratio of staff to students.

This will give you a good idea of the context in which you will be studying. Do not be surprised if, particularly in the first year, your lectures are attended by very large numbers of students. Seminar groups will be smaller and you may well find that your experience of life gives you a sounds basis for contributing to discussions.

Many universities and colleges encourage new students to contact their tutors through email rather than always relying on a face-to-face meeting. This may seem impersonal, but it is actually a speedy and efficient way for a busy tutor to keep in touch with several hundred students.

Methods of assessment

Traditionally the method of assessment in higher education was by formal unseen examination at the end of the year, and this still exists though it is usually combined with continuous assessment during the year. The kinds of work that will need to be presented for assessment, apart from exams, include:

  • project portfolios
  • coursework
  • case studies
  • course presentations.