How we teach
and how you’ll learn
Our teaching is
focused on building
your knowledge and
confidence, developing
your problem-solving
skills and preparing you
for a successful career.
Academic year and timetables
QMU’s academic year is divided into two
semesters. Semester One runs from
September to December with
assessments taking place before the
Christmas break. Semester Two runs from
January to May, also culminating in
assessments. The majority of our
undergraduate degree courses are
modular with most students undertaking
six modules each academic year (three in
each semester).
The Academic Calendar will be available
to view at www.qmu.ac.uk/about-the-
university/quality/committees-regulations-
policies-and-procedures/academic-
calendar/. During term time, teaching is
usually between 09:15 and 18:15 Monday
to Thursday and 09:15 and 17:15 on
Friday, with undergraduate teaching
normally ending by 13:15 on Wednesdays
to allow participation in sports and
societies activities. Timetables are
available from mid-July (but subject to
change), with continuing students able to
see their personal timetables around this
time. While efforts are made to make the
timetables as student friendly as possible,
teaching can take place at any time during
the teaching week, and may not be
consistent on a week-to-week basis.
Course length Location
Many courses at QMU offer the
opportunity to study over three (Ordinary
level) or four (Honours level) years. The
four-year degree system in Scotland is
different from that offered in the rest of the
UK (although qualifications are recognised
and accepted both across the UK and
internationally). The four-year honours
degree is designed to allow students to
study their chosen subject in greater
depth and breadth. A number of our
healthcare courses offer only a four year
honours degree option. Teaching mainly takes place in our
academic building on campus. However, if
you are following a course that includes a
practical placement (see individual
courses), this will normally take place off
campus. More information regarding
placements can be found on the individual
course pages. Some courses also offer a
study abroad option — please see the
individual course pages and page 18 for
further information on this.
Teaching and learning activities and
assessment methods
Part-time study
Our undergraduate courses are designed
to be studied full-time, although it may be
possible to study some on a part-time
basis. Please contact Admissions
([email protected]) for advice on
part-time study options.
Modules
All of our courses follow a modular
pattern. Core modules, and examples of
optional modules, if relevant, are listed on
each course page in this prospectus.
While modules listed are correct at the
time of print (February 2019), they may
differ slightly from those offered in 2020.
Where optional modules are listed, please
be aware that not all options may run in
an academic year. Placements are
considered as modules.
8
As a student at QMU you will benefit from
a range of teaching methods ensuring you
have the opportunity to make the most of
your chosen course.
Teaching methods include lectures (some
of which may feature interactive
approaches including live voting systems),
and seminars and tutorial groups allowing
for more in-depth discussion of the topics
being studied. A number of our courses
also include practical placements. These
allow you to put the knowledge and
experience gained in the classroom into
practice in a real-life environment and
better prepare you for your future career.
In addition to your classes, you will also
be required to undertake self-supported
learning, making use of online resources
and those in the Learning Resource
Centre to complete independent research
or work on group projects.