Teaching and assessment
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching format
We teach in two main ways: seminars and lectures. The main focus of your coursework will be in seminar groups, normally of 10-15 students. In seminars you will produce and discuss your own work, under the guidance of a module tutor. Seminars are normally accompanied by lectures, attended by all of the students taking the module.
In the first year, you will take introductory modules alongside students from a wide range of degree courses. In the second and third year modules and lectures are smaller - often with as few as 20 students.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures |
6 hours per week |
| Seminars |
3-5 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Teaching location
The School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy is located in Derwent College, on Campus West. Teaching on this course takes place at various locations across Campus West including Derwent, the Physics and Electronics building and the Spring Lane Building.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Assessment and feedback
The majority of your assessments will be either unseen examination papers or essays, which will vary depending on the department running the module.
Assessments occur throughout the three years of study, usually at the end of a semester.
