A question to all you Brits...

[salienne]

Any of you think you can explain Bristol University's system to me?

Like, what are teaching blocks? Are blocks 1-12 fall semester while 13-24 are spring, or are both fall (Fall semester=September-January)? How many credits does one typically take at an English university? How does a 6-week course relate to semester-long courses? What on earth are all these "levels"?

Any help for the poor confused American would be very very appreciated!

(Also, Bristol or Royal Halloway for a semester abraod... Any opinions?)

Comments

[beccabluebey.livejournal.com]

I'm not a Brit. But I know lots of people who are! Including someone who study abroad in Bristol (well, she's not British, obviously). I will pass the question on to them!

[beccabluebey.livejournal.com]

Ergh. Someone who is trying to study abroad in Bristol. My English fails after translating too much Latin!

Response 1 & 2

[beccabluebey.livejournal.com]

"hmm let me talk to one of my friends, she'd currently studying biology at Bristol university. I'll try and explain some based on my knowledge of Bath uni's system.

However from what I can tell the the 1-12 block will be weeks one to twelve starting roughly end of september and will be the autumn semester. Then block 13-24 (weeks 13 to 24, starting sometimes in january) will be the second/spring semester. So the weeks are numbered not including holidays.
So a semester long course would last 12 weeks, a 6 week course is self explanatory and at Bath there are year long courses which would last the 24 weeks of your time at uni (or however long my year is)

The number of credits needed does depend on subject I believe (?), at Bath for Maths you need to get 60 credits in your first year, I'm doing 5 modules each worth 6 credits this semester and another 5 in spring.
However I believe a 6 week course would be worth half that of a entire semester course, and a year long course worth twice a semester long course. But depending on your course you may not get much choice in your first year about what modules you take (I know I don't).

As for levels..��..I'm not sure. What course was your friend thinking of doing? And I'm assuming she'll be a fresher (first year)?"

"Um...Becca, the numbers usually correspond to each week. ie. week 1 to week 12. The length of the term and which week corresponds to which date depends on the uni and the days the term starts... also, credits depends on the course requirements. We get a booklet at the start of the year which explains everything and which modules have which credits and prerequisites. dunno what happens for Bristol."

Re: Response 1 & 2

[salienne.livejournal.com]

Yay, thank you, this is very helpful!

[zhalin.livejournal.com]

*secretly plans to become a stowaway while you venture out to study abroad*

*silent 'woo hoo!'*

[salienne.livejournal.com]

Okay! ^.^