Learning and teaching experience

Learning tools at your fingertips

Our learning model gives you access to a suite of online tools to supplement your on-campus studies – including video material, academic readings, podcasts and guided activities, such as discussion forums and workshops. 

Learning and Engagement opportunities

As a UWS student, a range of learning and engagement opportunities will be available to you, such as:

• seminars, lectures, tutorials & workshops
• laboratory-based study & practical classes
• presentations and practical activities
• exhibitions, events & fieldwork
• social & sports activities
• support sessions
• digital learning tools including podcasts, webinars, videos & readings to supplement campus studies

Meeting your personal tutor

During the Welcome Week, all students will be allocated a Personal Tutor. For returning students this may be the same one you have had previously or you may be allocated someone new. This is usually a lecturer from your course who can offer you support and guidance with your studies. Your Personal Tutor will set up a meeting in the early part of Term 1, and thereafter you should meet at least once per term and maintain regular communication.

It is important that you fully engage with your Personal Tutor, even when things are going well, as they can help you to make good decisions and to get the most out of your time at UWS. They can also assist if you have a problem with any aspect of your studies. If you do have any issues, you should contact your Personal Tutor as soon as possible rather than wait until your next scheduled meeting.

Your responsibilities as a UWS student

As a UWS student you are expected to:

• Take responsibility for your own learning
• Make effective use of the support and guidance available to you across the University
• Abide by the principles of good academic practice (referencing guidelines; ethics awareness, avoiding plagiarism etc)
• Engage with your allocated personal tutor and other support frameworks to highlight issues affecting progress, academic performance or wellbeing
• Familiarise yourself with the Regulatory Framework, in particular the Assessment Regulations
• Maintain a high standard of personal conduct in your relations with staff, other students and visitors to the University
• Meet the attendance and engagements expectations for all components of your programme of study

Attendance monitoring

You are an important part of our University community, and we recognise that there are a number of factors that may affect your time at UWS, including things like your home life, caring responsibilities, work commitments and your health and wellbeing.

We want you to know that you are not alone and that UWS has a wide range of support available to help you, should you need it.

Our Student Success Team review your attendance data and note where your attendance patterns may start to change. Should this happen, we will reach out to see how you are and can signpost you to the various help and support services available across the University. It's important that we reach out as soon as we can to enable you to reengage with your studies and continue on your journey with us.

For some of our students we also need to monitor your attendance to also ensure we meet UKVI visa requirements or to ensure you meet the standards set by Professional Bodies for accredited degree programmes. You will be made aware of any specific requirement via your Student Handbook which you can find on the Student App. You will need to scan your student card (digital or physical card) at one of the scanners each time you come to campus. You will see there is barcode on your student ID, and this is what you need to present to the scanner, we don’t need you to scan again when you leave.

You will also find a copy of the Student Attendance and Engagement Procedure on the app which sets out our approach.