Teaching methods
Owing to the relatively small undergraduate student body in comparison to some universities, St Andrews is still in the enviable position of offering small group teaching.
Class size does vary from subject to subject. First and Second Level classes are larger than more advanced classes in most subjects. The basic method of teaching undergraduate students is by courses of lectures given by specialists in particular subjects. In addition, where appropriate to the subject, teaching may also involve:
- Small group tutorials and seminars, usually consisting of 2-20 students, where selected topics are discussed and analysed on the basis of prepared written work; these are important in ensuring that students develop their analytical and communication skills and also help promote the excellent relationship between staff and students which exists at St Andrews;
- Laboratory work, where advanced equipment and techniques may be used to conduct experiments under expert supervision;
- Fieldwork (in the vicinity of St Andrews and further afield);
- Audio-visual and computer assisted learning; further reading and research - lecture notes are almost always simply an outline of available material. Students need to carry out their own research and reading to develop their understanding of their chosen subject.
Honours students sometimes take part in residential reading parties (weekend "mini-conferences" where students and staff are able to discuss their subject with each other in an informal atmosphere) usually at "The Burn" - a large country house in Angus, set in its own beautiful grounds and used as a conference centre by the Scottish universities.
Assessment
Each module is assessed in the semester in which it is taught. Assessment will normally comprise of examinations, continuous assessment or, in most cases, a combination of these. Students who fail the assessment for a particular module are offered an opportunity to be re-assessed.
Passing a module entitles the student to receive credits for that module. Students will also receive a grade for each module taken which will be appear on a transcript given to the student upon completion of their studies.