Student Services

Student Academic Support

College to University Helping you prepare for University Life

For more information, advice and guidance, please conatct: Louise Cascarino HN to Degree Transition Adviser University of Abertay Dundee E: [email protected] T: 01382 308138 M: 07970 282962 Or join us on Facebook: Look for Abertay Entry. This booklet is available in alternative formats: Please contact us.

Abertay University

About this booklet Congratulations on taking the decision to move from college to university. That is not always an easy decision to make, so well done. Now, what’s next? It can seem daunting when making the transition from college to university. Where do you start? What do you have to do before you get here? How can you make the process that little bit easier? Your experience can be made so much smoother and easier if you spend a bit of time finding out more about the university and your course before you begin. This booklet has been created to help answer questions you might have about the move and about what studying at university can be like. We asked students who made that move in the past year what information they would have found useful beforehand to help them with their transition from college to university. Ideas about being better organised. Getting familiar with the modules you will be doing. How to find your timetable and understand it. How to tackle the recommended reading. So if you READ anything before you get to University we would recommend THIS BOOKLET!

Contents Part 1 – Key information and contacts Abertay’s campus 4 University jargon 5 Help available at Abertay 7 Your questions answered 9

Part 2—Preparation activities for before you start at university Inside information 11 Module descriptors explained 12 Option modules explained 17 Finding, reading and understanding your timetable 18 How well has your HNC or HND course prepared you? 20 What do your tutors say about you? 22 Bridging Programme 24 Things to do 26 Useful links 27 Part 1 – Key information and contacts Abertay University Campus

Library Kydd Building For books and journals (obviously). The main entrance to the University, Also for computers, study rooms to where you will have most of your book for group work and for library classes. Old College, the Baxter Building and IT help. The Library is also home and the Graham Building - where other to Student Services, which can be classes are held - can all be accessed found on level 2. via the Kydd Building.

Student Centre Abertay’s main social hub. The Students’ Association is also responsible for representing students on University management committees.

4 University jargon Universities and colleges are terrible at using words that mean something to staff but not explaining them to students. Here is some of the jargon that you’ll face. A full glossary can be found at: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/academic/atoz/ · Academic tutor: Member of staff responsible for checking how you are settling in to your new course. They are a good person to turn to if you are having trouble with your course. · Blackboard: An online learning environment that many modules use where you can find lecture notes, coursework details and online discussions. Also called WebCT. · Bridging Programme: Activities laid on to help students moving from an HNC or HND to the second or third year of a degree course. · Credits: Points earned as you complete each part of your course. Normally, degree students have to earn 120 credits each year. · Direct entry: Coming on to a degree course but not on to its first year. This might be because your qualifications (such as an HNC) or experience mean that you have equivalent skills and knowledge as students who have taken the first year of the course. · External examiners: Academics from other institutions appointed to check on the quality and standard of teaching and assessment on your modules. · Induction: One or two weeks of administration and preparation activities before teaching starts. · Lab (laboratory): A practical exercise in either a computer room or a science lab. · Lecture: Where the lecturer will speak and you are expected to take notes. Lectures are provided for you to gain information on a subject, not to be the only method of your studies. · Module: A section of a course covering one specific topic, such as Visual Literacy, statistics for business or contexts of sport. Usually you will complete 4 modules each semester. Modules have codes; keep a record of the them as they will be useful when working out your timetable.

5 · Module descriptor: A valuable source of information, such as what you will learn within the module , how you will be assessed, a guide to how much independent study time will be required of you in order to complete the module. Pages 12-17 explain where you can find module descriptors and more detail of their benefits · OASIS: An online service for Abertay students where you can update your personal details and find your grades. · Orientation Week: Comes before teaching starts, to give all new students the opportunity to complete the registration process for your course, meet your tutors and classmates, and begin your academic, social, and cultural life at Abertay University. · Portal: The homepage for Abertay students and staff, where you can find links to your course materials, the library and support services. · Practical: Active work, possibly in the lab or involving fieldwork, such as surveying a building. · Programme structure: The outline of what each year of your course involves. · Semester: Usually there are two semesters each academic year, September to January and January to May. · Seminar: A cross between a lecture and a tutorial. A chance to discuss a topic in depth in a small group. Often, the students will take turns to lead the discussion each week. · Student Services: The team of advisors who can help with the range of questions and issues you might have before and during your course. The team includes a transition advisor, counsellors, careers advisors, disabled student advisors, a finance advisor, an international student advisor and academic support advisors. You can make appointments with all of them through the Student Services reception, based on level 2 of the Library. · Transition: Making the move from studying for an HNC or HND to a degree course with help from teaching and support staff. · Tutorial: An opportunity for you to discuss issues raised in lectures and your own private reading with a small group of other students and a member of teaching staff.

6 What help is available at Abertay? Student Services is your main source of information, advice and guidance. For quick questions and appointments, contact Student Services Reception located on level 2 of the Library, or email [email protected]. Much more information is available online at http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/ Student Services includes the following teams: Disability Service You are encouraged on your application form to tell the University if you have a disability. If you have not done that or feel uncomfortable doing it that way, please contact us. Once you have told us, you will be contacted towards the start of term and asked to make an initial appointment with one of the advisors. Career Development Centre Students can receive one-to-one support to help identify career opportunities and focus on clear career goals. There is also a drop-in service which runs three times a week - an ideal opportunity to get your CV checked or receive help with job hunting. We are part of Student Services; find us on Level 2 of the Library. Student Funding Advisor The Student Funding Advisor holds regular drop-in times to ask for help with funding and budget issues. Contact Student Services Reception to find out when the next drop-in will be held. Counselling Students seek counselling to help with specific concerns, such as bereavement, anxiety, academic issues, depression and loneliness. Whatever the reason (and it does not have to be when you are in crisis,) the counsellor will seek to understand how you experience your difficulties in a safe environment without judging you.

7 Student Academic Support Student Academic Support can help you with how you go about your studies: making the most of your time, juggling studies with your other commitments, tackling coursework, checking your work, preparing for exams and more. HN-Degree Transitions Advisor Louise Cascarino, our HN-Degree Transition Advisor, is here to support you before and during your time at Abertay. If you have any worries or concerns or would just like to chat to someone about what to expect, get in touch. Contact: Louise Cascarino Phone: 01382 308138 Mobile: 07970282962 Email: [email protected] Online: http://www.abertay.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/supportfor collegeleavers/ Facebook: Search for Abertay Entry, where you can also get together with other students coming to Abertay and students already here who have come from college. Library & Information Services Academic Librarians The librarians can help you with your research skills so you can work more efficiently and make the most of the library and online resources. They can also help with referencing. A brief overview of services available can be found online at: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/facilities/library/ IT help The IT Helpdesk and Trainers, based on the ground floor of the Library, can help with all your practical IT problems, from general computer worries to making better use of software. Self-help and training resources are also available once you are registered. Until then, Microsoft has online training guides at: http://tinyurl. com/ybtl37

8 Your Questions Answered

What’s the point of a lecture?

It’s not just about the presentation slides but the invaluable additional information the lecturer provides. If you don’t go you will miss out on key information and insights into the topics you are studying. After the lecture, your should try to follow up on key points with your own research.

The tutor who sets the coursework Who will mark my will mark it. Generally, a selection coursework? of coursework is also marked by a second person to ensure fairness.

A good start is to look at past papers available from OASIS on the Portal (once you are fully registered), to give yourself a good idea of what the questions will be like. Some modules may provide a mock exam.

What will exams be like?

9 How will my work be graded? Tutors will normally tell you the criteria they will use to mark the content and presentation of your work when they issue each assignment.

What do my marks mean?

Pass grades run from A20 (the best) to D9 (a basic pass mark). There are then different fail grades, including marginal and clear fails and non-submission.

Why is referencing important? You will be expected to base the ideas and arguments you develop in your assignments to the key players within your specialised subject and to acknowledge the use of their work by referencing it.

More questions and answers available from Student Academic Support online at: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/academic/

10 Part 2 – Preparation activities for before you start at university Inside Information This section of the booklet provides information on key processes within Abertay that are essential for you to know. These are things that, at the very least, can make your transition that little bit smoother. Further on there are activities to help you to reflect and prepare for university life. You might not know it now but this information WILL come in handy.

“Listen to all instructions; even things you think are pointless. They come in handy along the way!” “Be determined, get excited about your course and get involved”. “Be prepared to study!!! I really enjoy my course but I have had to really work hard to keep up with everything - hopefully it will be worth it in the end though!”

11 Module descriptors explained

This section looks at your module descriptors. Module descriptors provide essential information about each part of your course, including: · What you are going to be studying · Who your tutor will be · How much time studying in class and on your own is required · Recommended reading · How you will be assessed The focus here will be on the sections of the module descriptor that previous students thought would be most valuable for you to know about. How to find the module descriptors for your course 1. Visit www.abertay.ac.uk 2. Click on ‘Studying at Abertay’, towards the top of the page. 3. Click on ‘Undergraduate courses’, under the Related Pages section on the left- hand side of the page. 4. Find your course from the list that then appears. 5. Then click on the ‘Course content’ tab, which brings up the list of modules available at each stage of your course. Jot down your module name and code (codes are important) or print off the page.

12 Explanation of the sections of module descriptors

Section 1: background information · Module Code: IMPORTANT - you will need this to work out your timetable and filling in coursework submission forms. · Module Title: what the module is called. · Level: the SCQF level at which you are studying at present. · SCQF: the number of SCQF credits the module is worth. A module is generally 15 credits, however, sometimes 30 and run over 2 semesters. These are usually big projects and/or dissertations. Most common in year 3 and 4. · School: there are currently 5 schools. Which 1 you will belong to depends on your course. · Year: Year you are studying · Status: Explains the status of the programme and whether it has been approved by the school. · Last up-date: Modules generally get updated each year. · Tutor: The academic responsible for the module but not necessarily the only lecturer. · External: The name of the external examiner and when they were appointed. · Division: The specialist teaching and research team responsible for the module. · Aim: The main purpose of the module. · Learning Outcomes: The knowledge and skills you should be able to demonstrate once you have completed the module. · Indicative Content: A guideline to topics that will be studied.

13 Section 2: teaching and learning workloads · Lecture: How many hours of lecture time you will be expected to attend. · Tutorial/seminar: How many tutorial hours in the timetable for the module. · Practical Activity: How many hours of practical activity you are likely to participate in, supervised and unsupervised. Not all modules include practical work. · Assessment: An indication of how much time you should be dedicating and preparing for tutorials, coursework and revising for tests and exams. · Independent: This is here to give you an idea of how much independent study time you should be dedicating to the module. This will give you a good indication of whether you are applying enough time to each module and also help you to plan your time effectively. These indications are guidelines only. You as an individual will determine whether you need to put more hours in.

14 Section 3: assessment · Type: This explains how you will be assessed. · Description: The expected word count for your coursework, and whether it is an individual assignment or groupwork exercise. · Weighting: The proportion of the total module grade each assignment carries. For example, you might have a groupwork exercise worth 40% and an individual report at 60%, totalling 100% for the module as a whole. · Issue/submission/return weeks: When assignments will be issued, the deadlines for handing work in and when you can expect your feedback using the Abertay Academic Calendar, where week 1 is classed as the first teaching week of the academic year. You can access the academic calendar from the staff/student portal > put in your password and username > highlight OASIS under Key Tools > My UAD > highlight calendars and Timetabling in the middle column > Click on Academic calendars Alternatively use the link below: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/find/academicyear/calendar/

Section 4: supportive/recommended reading Useful research material to help you as you start the module – you might want to look at some of these suggestions as part of your preparation over the summer before you arrive.

15 Why should I bother? Reading up on your chosen module content beforehand can help you to identify what you are going to be studying and help you identify what you may or may not know about the topics at this stage. If you don’t know, it allows you to have plenty opportunity to read up on the topic over the summer so you have an understanding before you get here. Although you may not have fully registered yet (to have access to the library pages), you can try and seek out the recommended reading on the web. Some may be available to you free of charge. Although we would recommend NOT purchasing books until you have double checked with the module tutor that the books are the ones most relevant for the new academic year. Getting familiar with the University’s Library resources is an excellent way to find the books from the recommended reading. Look out for the sessions during the bridging programme week (more details on page 24) which will guide you through some of the tools available. Further information can be found online at: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/facilities/library/

16 Optional Modules explained When you accessed your programme structure you may have noticed that some are listed as core modules and others as option modules. Core modules are compulsory to your programme. Optional modules you have a choice which one to choose. Please note: option modules are most commonly available only in years 3 and 4, so do not panic if you are looking at year 2 modules and can only see core modules. The importance of picking the right modules for you and at the right time It is a good idea to have a look at all the module options before you register so you can make an informed decision without feeling rushed. Using the online registration process before you arrive, you will be prompted to enter your choices if you have option modules. If you choose to wait and register in Orientation week this is when you will be asked to select your modules. Some points that may help you to make your optional module choice: · Why have you chosen this particular programme? · What interests you? · What type of job do you hope to get once you graduate? · Would choosing a module on a familiar subject help you to play to your strengths? · Would taking a module on a subject completely new to you broaden your knowledge usefully? You can change your choice of option modules in the first three weeks of the semester. However, the disadvantage of that is you would have missed the introductory lectures and tutorials for the module.

I needed to choose two options of four last term, and one of two this term.

I asked what modules I would be taking when I applied to Abertay and was directed to the module guide so I pretty much made up my mind what choices I was picking before I arrived!

So if new students were directed to this maybe it would help them make their decision rather than picking something last minute.

17 Finding, reading and understanding your timetable You might be very keen to receive your timetable as early as possible. However, draft timetables are not normally available until August or even early September. You will not know which tutorial or practical groups you will be allocated to until the early weeks of term, which is when final timetable changes might also be made. Where to find your timetable As soon as timetables are ready, they are published on the Portal, Go to > staff/student portal> put in your password and username > under Key Resources on the bottom left > highlight Timetables > bottom left of page you will findTerm Time timetable 2011/12 > from the drop down menu select Group > then from the drop down menu select your programme, for example Business Studies and Finance

What you will need to make this easier · A note of Module codes (to identify your classes) · Academic Timetable (to identify weeks) · Pen and Paper (to write out your own individual timetable) There are a number of things you need to take into consideration. · Weeks - You will notice that some events are not every week · There may be a number of tutorials for one module which have been split into groups At first glance, don’t panic!

18 Tutorials explained Typically for each module you will be required to go to one lecture, one tutorial and a number of practicals (depending on your programme). When you look at your programme you may see many tutorials for the one module. Generally you will only be required to attend one. The reason for so many tutorials is due to the large amount of students taking that particular module. You will find that in some cases it is not just students taking your programme that will be participating in that module. All will attend the lecture together (usually in one of the large lecture halls) but smaller groups for tutorials. This gives you the opportunity to participate in case studies and interactive learning, perhaps in groups and/or individually. In most cases you will only be required to attend one.

Which one? It depends… You might be instructed to sign up for a tutorial (sign up sheet is usually situated around your school office) or you may be allocated by the module tutor to a specific tutorial/group. Which may be emailed to you or allocated within class. Either way it will be organised in the first few weeks of the semester. Suggestions You might want to write down all your relevant modules and highlight the tutorials and lectures you will be required to attend, to give youself a better idea of your individual timetable in order for you to plan your time effectively.

19 How well has your HNC or HND course prepared you? What you have been studying will be useful preparation for your new course. However, there might be topics taught at year 1 or 2 of the degree course that you won’t have studied on your HNC or HND. You might say “I’ll just wait and see”. However, if you are able to identify any gaps and start to study them over the summer, you will most definitely be in a better position when orientation week comes. Activity: This is something to do over the summer. 1. If you find that your course seems to start at year 3 (e.g. Business Administration), that means it definitely builds on what you studied on your HND. 2. Use the grid opposite to list the main topics taught in year 1 (and 2) of the degree. Then go through the outline for your HNC or HND to check whether you have missed anything. To find out what content on each stage of your degree course, follow the instructions on page 12. 3. If you have missed any topics, think about what you need to do. Check the outline for the year of the degree you are joining. Do you need to do some extra work before term starts? Will background reading over the summer be enough? If you’re not sure, ask the tutor responsible for your course (check in the prospectus for their name).

20 Main topics in years 1 and 2 Have you covered it? What do you need to do? 21 What do your tutors say about you? The feedback your tutors gave you when they handed back coursework is more useful and important than you might realise. By keeping track of their comments, you will get a picture of your strengths and weaknesses as a student. Activity Over the summer, go back over what your tutors wrote in their feedback about you and your work. Photocopy the grids before you start so you will have the chance to write in more entries. Use the grids opposite to write down what they saw as your key strengths and weaknesses as a student. By putting a date next to each strength and weakness, you can start to see how you developed over your course. Looking back over both grids: · What comments did your tutors make regularly? · What strengths can you be most pleased with? · What weaknesses can you look at before you start your degree course?

22 Date Weaknesses

Date Strengths

23 Bridging Programme – 5 - 8 September 2011 The Bridging Programme is specially designed to help you to get ready to start your new course. The programme includes: • Workshops delivered by the Student Academic Support team on develop effective study skills for University. • Practical sessions from the librarians and IT trainers to help you make the most of the University’s online resources. • Tours of the University led by direct entry students who joined Abertay in 2010 so you can ask them questions and learn from their experience. Previous college students said they benefited hugely from the Bridging Programme as it gave them inside knowledge they would otherwise not have known before they started their course. You can find full details of the Bridging Programme and to sign up for workshops at: http://applications.abertay.ac.uk/external/abertay/BP/BookingForm.cfm

The information did not only help me with my first week but also gave me valuable information and tools I would need throughout the academic year.

I felt I had a better understanding of what was ahead of me.

24 Comments and advice from previous year’s direct entry students

What was your biggest surprise?

How amazingly friendly and down to earth the staff are. I’m not sure what I expected but they are very different.

What has been the most difficult for you?

As a direct entrant travelling from Fife, you become apprehensive about not making any friends. However, this was not the case and through experiences and classesyou have the ability to interact with others. People at Abertay are very welcoming and helpful.

What advice would you offer?

Be prepared to study!!! I really enjoy my course but I have had to really work hard to keep up with everything.

It’s a good idea to join a student society or two, especially if you don’t know many people in Dundee!”

Make yourself known to your lecturers. They may not realise that you are new to the course and might need help with topics covered in the previous years.

25 Things to do

Applied to UCAS (ideally before January)

Received offer from Abertay

Accepted offer from Abertay

For those who seek disability support, contact our disability team as soon as you have accepted your offer

So. What next?

Sign up to the Bridging Programme Await password and log in details for signing into the Abertay Portal

Log into account

Complete Registration process Upload your photo for your ID card (This can be done online at home, recommended) Don’t worry if you get stuck, you can wait until Orientation Week where you can register at Abertay with staff on hand to help Sign up to our Abertay Entry Facebook account (Very useful for gaining handy tips and advice)

Get to know the course (programme) content & Module descriptors

Access and check timetable (Please note that some timetables may not be available at this stage and may be subject to change) Source recommended Reading through the library portal (This will get you used to the library system which you will use A LOT, the quicker you get used to accessing and sourcing key reading materials the better) Take part in the Bridging Programme

Take part in Orientation Week

First teaching week begins

26 Useful Links · Student Services: your first stop for help with student life—and life in general. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/ · Student Academic Support: for more help on settling into Abertay and successful university study. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/academic/ · Disability Service: for advice on the help you can expect on your course and DSA funding. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/support/disabilities/ · Funding advice: for student funding, loans and general budgeting issues. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/studentlife/money/ · Library: for advice on making the most of the library itself, online research resources and the university’s IT systems. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/facilities/library/ · Online research resources: to begin exploring Abertay’s library and start making use of it now. http://abertay.summon.serialssolutions.com/ · Careers Advice: for help finding part-time work while you study and to think about careers for once you have graduated. http://www.abertay.ac.uk/careers/ · Microsoft Windows and Office: for help with the main software you will use on campus. http://tinyurl.com/ybtl37

Make sure you remember to book online for all the Bridging Programme workshops you want to attend. Full details and the booking form online at: http://www.abertay.abertay.ac.uk/studying/ supportsupportforcollegeleavers/bridgingprogramme/

27 28

Student Services

Student Academic Support

For more information, advice and guidance, please contact: Louise Cascarino HN to Degree Transition Support Adviser University of Abertay Dundee E: [email protected] T: 01382 308138 M: 07970 282962

Join us on Facebook. Search for ‘Abertay Entry’ for the opportunity to connect with other Direct Entry students , past, present and future. You can also pick up valuable information, handy tips and get in touch with Louise, our HN-Degree Transition Advisor.

Make sure you remember to book online for all the Bridging Programme workshops you want to attend. Full details and the booking form online at: http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/supportforcollegeleavers/bridgingprogramme/

Abertay University The University of Abertay Dundee is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC016040.