How is university different to school or college?

You may have heard comments like “university is just a big school”. In this article, we will break down some of the key similarities and differences between school and university so you know what to expect.

Size

Universities are much bigger than schools or colleges. The University of Nottingham has over 20,000 students in the UK, spread across three campuses. University Park is the largest campus at 300 acres (this is about the size of 180 football pitches!).

Class sizes can also be bigger. Many degree courses have bigger year groups than at your school or college. The biggest lecture theatre at the University of Nottingham can seat over 500 students!

Not just teaching

Teaching is one part of what a university does. The University of Nottingham also undertakes world-class research in a wide range of topics. In the Faculty of Science, researchers are working on topics including quantum physics, plant genomics, human imaging, sustainable chemistry, neuroscience, mathematical modelling and more.

Variety of teaching methods

As well as lectures, you might have workshops, tutorials or seminars. You may also have laboratory sessions, depending on your degree course. You will find out more about the different teaching sessions later this week.

Type of assessments

Up to now, most of your work has probably been assessed through a mixture of exams and coursework. During your degree, you will be assessed in different ways. This may include posters, group projects, laboratory reports and presentations, as well as essays and exams.

Independence

At university, you have to take responsibility for your learning. It is up to you to make sure you attend your lectures and hand in your work on time.

It’s also up to you to make sure you do your own extra learning. Your lecturers will introduce you to a topic but you will need to do your own independent reading to make sure you understand it sufficiently.

Choice

Your degree course is made up of self-contained modules. Each year you study multiple modules. You usually have some choice in the modules you study. This allows your to tailor your degree course to your specific interests.

New interests and new skills

During your degree you will learn lots about your subject. But your learning will go beyond the lecture theatre.

Universities offer a huge range of extracurricular activities! With over 200 student-run societies and over 70 sports clubs, at the University of Nottingham there are lots of ways to meet people with similar interests, pursue your hobbies and find new ones!

University provides many students with their first experience of living independently. You will develop a range of life skills, including money management.

Summary

As you can see, university is quite different to school. It is much bigger and you have a lot more freedom to choose what you study, and what you do with your free time! The independence that comes with university life is a big draw for many students. The video below shows some of the activities you can get involved in during Welcome Week at the University of Nottingham Students’ Union. But don’t worry if you find it overwhelming – we will talk in more detail about how you can adjust to university life throughout this course!