Life at university
"When I imagined being at university, I did think it would be strange to be surrounded by 18-year-olds, but it’s not an issue. I don’t know that older necessarily means wiser, but you have more life experiences to draw on."
Sarah, BSc Social Policy
Study at university will be very different from study you may have undertaken before. One of the main purposes of university education is to develop the capacity for thinking and working independently. You will have to find things out for yourself, and to develop and defend your own views. Much of your study will be self-directed, reading around the subject or doing coursework.
The methods of teaching and learning vary from subject to subject, and different programmes involve different timetables. Science subjects, for example, tend to have more formal contact hours than Arts courses. With most subjects there may be lectures at any time between 9 am and 5 pm, but you would be unlucky if many were in the late afternoon. The times of seminars and tutorials are usually more flexible; most tutors and departments will take account of particular requirements whenever possible.
Assessment methods also vary from programme to programme. In some subjects examinations are the sole basis for final degree result; in others, continuous assessment or assessment of essays and projects is included. You can get further details of the range of assessment methods used for each programme of study in the current edition of the undergraduate prospectus.
Life outside study
Social life
Much of the time at the University is spent studying, but social and sporting activities as well as student societies are also a part of student life. There is a Mature Students' Society which puts on social events throughout the year and a Postgraduate Union that provides a social focus for that group of students.
Support
The Student Help website outlines the wide range of support services for students. The site provides links and answers to FAQs on all aspects of university life, both academic and personal. There is also a section specifically directed at mature students and one for students with children.
If you run into problems your tutor can help; you should therefore keep your tutor aware of any particular circumstances that might affect your work. Help can also be obtained from the Union Welfare Office, the Counselling Service and the Students' Health Service.