Teaching and learning activities
At university you'll learn through a variety of activities, depending on what is appropriate for your course. Lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, practical workshops, laboratory classes, work placements, field trips and visits are just some of the ways that you might explore your subject.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled activities you will be expected to study independently. This could be reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing assignments and presentations, and revising for exams. The amount of time spent on independent learning increases as you progress thorough your course.
Types of assessment
Formal or summative assessments (formal assessment for which marks/grades are allocated) enable you to demonstrate what you have learned in each module. Assessments include coursework such as essays and reports, and practical and written examinations. Grades from summative assessments count towards your module mark. The balance of assessment by written exam and coursework depends to some extent on the option modules you choose.
All assessments must be your own work. You will be provided with guidance on how to avoid plagiarism (using someone else's work or ideas).
- Written exams – a question of set of questions relating to a particular area of study completed under timed conditions. Can include essays, short answers, multiple choice or problem solving.
- Practical assessments – oral assessment and presentation, and practical skills assessment focusing on assessing specific practical skills, techniques or competency, for example clinical skills, lab techniques, surveying skills, teaching observation.
- Coursework – written assignment or essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all course work assessments. It will relate to the learning outcomes of the module and is intended to help you get the most out of your learning experience; students are encouraged to discuss feedback with the module leader. We aim to provide you with feedback on course work, and marks on all assessments, within 20 days of the assessment deadline.