ACADEMIC COURSES
TUTORIALS & SEMINARS
| "I liked the opportunity to work one-on-one with the teachers. Not only have I learned a lot, but I've met some fantastic people along the way." |
| Mark Walrath |
Each student receives a weekly individual tutorial in the subjects chosen. Topics and themes are introduced and discussed with the tutor during each tutorial, with reading and written work set, to be presented at the next meeting. Students look in detail at the academic topics that interest them, under the tutor's guidance, and are able to work at their own pace. One-on-one guidance from a skilled tutor ensures good assimilation and understanding of material and enables students to develop their skills as independent learners. For individualised courses, entirely individual teaching is arranged, three tutorial hours taking place weekly.
Seminar groups are held in each subject, over four separate hours weekly and with group sizes of no more than eight. Course topics are presented in the seminars, the interactive environment allowing for discussion and debate. Further reading and written work is set as a follow-up and to provide the basis of further work in the tutorials.
Seminars provide an active learning situation, with presentation and explanation of each topic and discussion under the tutor's guidance. The approach is student-centred, offering a high degree of personal attention, student involvement and constructive appraisal of thinking and ideas.
ACADEMIC SUPERVISION
A staff/student ratio of about 1:4 and close contact between members of staff allow for careful attention to every student. A supportive and inclusive community is created, where the well-being and needs of each student are given priority. Academic support is provided by subject tutors, the Course Director and also by Residential Deans, who act as personal tutors to students, forming small ‘pastoral groups' and assisting in any areas where help may be needed. Academic or personal issues are thereby given all the attention necessary and are therefore normally speedily resolved. One of the strengths of the course is its attentiveness to individual needs.