| Teaching Methods |
UK approaches to teaching have evolved over hundreds of years, and aim to encourage independent, thoughtful and confident students.
Unrivalled quality assurance and academic audit procedures ensure that the educational opportunities available meet the highest standards.
Most students benefit from the continuing support of a tutor, from small classes or tutorial and seminar groups, and from a range of teaching methods that may include discussions, games, problem-solving, projects, practical work, peer tutoring, computer-assisted learning and simulations. These methods are effective: pass rates are high and drop-out rates are among the lowest in the world.
By encouraging an independent approach, education in the UK helps you to develop intellectual and problem-solving skills for the global market.
English language courses
The teaching style is mainly practical and you will be encouraged to communicate from the moment you enter the classroom. Students on these courses are immersed in the language, rather than just studying it. The wide range of creative teaching methods includes games, role-playing exercises, problem-solving and group discussions. You will also be able to make use of technology and the language labs to study without supervision from a teacher.
Boarding schools and colleges
Independent boarding schools pride themselves on the quality of their teaching and on their excellent facilities. You can expect to be taught in a small group, where your teacher will be able to give you all the individual attention you need to help you achieve your academic goals.
Such values as independence, sociability and a love of learning are all gained from studying at independent schools.
Career based courses
Students pursuing career based courses are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies, with extensive support from tutors and lecturers. You will find yourself working on projects with other students, spending time in college libraries, and being assessed through practical demonstrations, as well as through essays and examinations. Your course will combine practical skills with a sound academic underpinning, all geared towards a particular career or occupation.
Degree courses
During your degree programme, some of your specific courses will be compulsory, but others will be optional, allowing you to tailor the programme to suit your interests.
The shape of your degree course will be outlined to you through lectures. You will also need to read extensively about the subject, and form your own ideas and opinions. You will then have the opportunity to discuss the detail of the course with other students and your tutor in smaller tutorial and seminar groups.
If you choose a technical subject, you will spend a large portion of your time in supervised laboratory work, designed to develop necessary technical skills.
Postgraduate programmes
All postgraduate programmes require a great deal of the work on your own initiative. On taught courses, postgraduate tutors and lecturers will provide the framework of the course and, within this, you will be able to pursue your own interests. On research programmes, the principal teaching method is original research, which you complete under academic supervision. Writing a dissertation about your research forms a substantial part of the
programme.
MBAs
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) courses are a particularly intensive and challenging form of taught postgraduate course. You'll be expected to work through a very large amount of material, complete regular projects and assignments, and give regular presentations. Characteristic MBA teaching methods include case studies, simulations and business games.
|
|
