FAQ's - Current Students: Student Learning Times

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How many hours will I be timetabled to be on campus for per week?

Generally speaking - 9-12 hours class time with a total of 37and a half hours of recommended study per week.

A full-time student studying for 60 credits during a semester will need to be able to allocate, on average, at least 37.5 hours per week for study and assessment during term time.

Further details of student learning time are given below.

Each module has a value of either 10 or 20 credits (except the Double Project which has a credit value of 40). Each credit is equivalent to 10 hours' notional learning time. Notional learning time includes all the time used by the student in completing the module. It includes time dedicated to such activities as class contact, private study, assessment (including reading and preparation of assessment materials), tutorials, examination preparation, examination attendance, completion of student feedback surveys etc.

Thus, for one semester of studies (60 credits), at least 450 hours should be allocated by the student for class contact, private study and coursework. This leaves up to 150 hours for miscellaneous activities related to the module, such as examination preparation and attendance or other assessment activities, non-scheduled tutor contact, student feedback, meeting attendance etc.

In order to maintain student choice within the Institute Modular Scheme pathway modules are, to the extent possible, timetabled to run over a single semester. One semester includes approximately 12 weeks' teaching time during which tutor-supported class contact occurs. Hence for each 20 credit module students who will be successful in their studies will schedule and undertake an activity profile similar to the following during the (approximately) 12 weeks of tutor-supported class contact:

Class contact time (tutorial, supervision, lecture etc) 3 to 4 hours per week
Student managed learning time (private study, Preparation of assessment material) 9 to 10 hours per week
Thus a full-time student studying for 60 credits during a semester will need to be able to allocate, on average, at least 37.5 hours per week for study and assessment during term time.
Under the Institute Modular Scheme, although it is normal to study for 60 credits per semester, it is permissible by prior approval from the Course Leader to study for 80 credits during a semester. Students would therefore need to allocate approximately 50 hours per week for study and assessment for the duration of such a semester.

(FAQ Number 75)