It is useful to understand that there are differences in teaching styles at university, compared to school, college, or other educational environments. Classes tend to be much larger in scale and 200 people in a lecture hall can be quite normal. There are also a range of other teaching environments such as seminars, tutorials and office hours which you can learn more about here.
What kinds of teaching can I expect?
Lectures:
- usually last about one hour
- are designed to convey ideas or information to a large group
- may be illustrated by slides or video extracts
- students are not usually expected to speak unless asked by the lecturer, and you will be expected to take notes, though handouts should also be available in advance
- prepare for your lectures by reading and thinking about the topic in advance - and check out studentcentral for lecture materials and handouts before and after the session
Seminars:
- small groups and less formal than lectures
- may last between one and two hours
- students are expected to participate actively in discussion
Practical sessions:
- depending on what you are studying, may involve laboratory or studio-based work
Tutorials:
- in some courses may be an alternative term for seminar, but usually implies a one to one (or a very small group) meeting with course tutor or personal tutor
Field trips and work placements:
- depending on what you are studying, may involve a period of time in the workplace, on a placement or a shorter period of work experience. For more information about gaining work experience alongside your studies, contact the Careers Centre for more information.
Independent study:
- apart from your timetabled teaching you will be expected to study independently
For more information about what independent study involves
If you are a full-time student, you should allow the same amount of time for study as for any other full-time job - that is, at least 35 hours a week. But it is very unlikely that your formal teaching sessions will take up the majority of this time. Teaching time varies between courses and you should get in touch with your course leader to find out more information.
You will find more detailed advice on organising your time and downloadable resources in the getting organised section of this site.
Office hours
Most lecturers have office hours where students can drop-in or book a slot to speak to them informally. To get the most out of these office hours:
- Email your tutor in advance to let them know what time you wish to stop by
- Turn up on time
- Read your handbook to see if your question is already answered there.
Email
Many lecturers/tutors are happy to receive queries via email. To get the most out of this correspondence:
- Include details of your full name and student number and the course/module your question is referring to
- Allow for a reasonable response time, especially during busy periods such as exams
- Read your handbook to see if your question is already answered there
''Start with an open mind and think for yourself. Be your own person - decide what you want to get out of your university studies and how hard you will need to work to achieve your goals''.
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