Being a student in Scotland

Teaching at UHI

Your lecturers are normally a permanent, full-time member of academic staff who are experts on the subject area being taught.

• Lectures are usually formal occasions where students listen to the views of the lecturer and take notes. Following an expert’s argument will require close attention as well as a good understanding of the English language.
• Seminars take the form of group discussions. They are usually led by an academic member of staff and attended by between eight and twenty students. Students participate by asking questions and putting forward their views. You might also be asked to make presentations.
• Most departments offer tutorials, which are meetings with a small number of students. They provide an opportunity to discuss academic work in detail with a member of staff.

Learning does not finish when the student leaves the classroom. Students will be expected to do many hours of private study, such as reading, researching and writing essays or projects.

Attendance

Students will be expected to attend ALL timetabled teaching sessions for their programme.

As an international student, if you miss a succession of timetabled teaching sessions, your tutor will contact you to discuss why you have been absent. If the reasons for your unauthorised absences are not satisfactory, the university is obliged by UK law to inform the Home Office. This may have consequences for your student visa and your ability to continue studying in the UK. 

Therefore, it is extremely important that you attend all of your timetabled teaching sessions and inform your tutors if you have any planned absences. If you plan to be absent from the university at any point during your studies as a registered student, you must inform us of any plans well in advance of your absence and ensure that your contact information is up to date. 

Assessments and exams

Assessment varies with programmes of study. In some cases, assessment is by coursework. In other cases, it is by examinations or sometimes it can be a combination of both. Students will normally be informed about the assessment methods of their course during the departmental orientation sessions.

Students are only permitted to sit examinations if they have fulfilled all coursework and attendance requirements. Therefore, it is important for you to understand what you must attend and what coursework you must complete.

If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements of your course, you should speak to your personal academic tutor (PAT). You won’t be able to progress to your next academic year if you do not successfully complete all your end of year assessments.

The university’s learning culture

Lecturers prefer it if students discuss ideas rather than just sit and listen.

The manner in which you express your viewpoint is important, however. Show respect by acknowledging the lecturer’s or your classmates’ point of view and then offer your opinion. Say, “In my opinion...” or “I think...” or “I feel...” or “I believe...”. If you do not understand, ask. If you are not yet used to asking questions in class, make an appointment with your lecturer.

At the start of each semester you will be given a syllabus for each course. This is an outline of the course objectives, due dates for assignments and much more. Keep the syllabus for the duration of the course and refer to it if you are not sure about assignment requirements. Pay close attention when the lecturer discusses the syllabus as they will often explain during this time how grades will be determined.

You are expected to talk in class. A good rule to follow is to raise your hand to ask a question or make a comment at least once every week. If a lecturer calls on you to answer a question, you should say something. If you don’t know the answer, it’s alright to give a wrong answer. Participation may be included in your grade.

Personal conduct as a student in an intercultural environment

The university welcomes a diverse student population and you may be working alongside students from all over the world. The intercultural classroom concept requires all students to be open to the opportunities offered by diversity and to respect other people’s opinions and values.

Intercultural classrooms present opportunities as well as challenges. In order to succeed in group work and assignments, you will need to work together with people from different cultures. All have different working mentalities, styles and values.

You will be required to adapt to your teammates and combine your strengths to succeed at a given task. However, these challenges also present you with enormous opportunities and benefits. Not only will you learn how to work with people from around the world; you will also learn from them, discover new ways of thinking and working and broaden your horizons.

Academic honesty

What constitutes academic honesty varies from culture to culture and it is important to understand rules of academic conduct at the University of the Highlands and Islands, read out academic regulations for more detail.

All students are expected to do their own work. If you are caught cheating in any way, you will be severely penalised. Do not take the risk of copying anyone else’s work. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Violating course rules contained in the course syllabus
• Getting or providing unauthorised assistance from another student on a paper or project, or providing/receiving information during quizzes and exams
• Falsifying, fabricating or dishonest reporting of research results
• Taking the place of another student or another student taking your place in an exam
• Altering grades

Essential student skills

Courses at the university range from those delivered completely face-to-face to those that are delivered 100% online. Most, however, will lie somewhere in between, with several different formats used to deliver the course. This is commonly referred to as blended learning. 

The university’s educational development unit, with the support of teaching staff and the learning and teaching department, have created a portfolio of interactive guidance materials, designed to introduce students throughout the partnership to various aspects of blended learning. These packages are designed to be viewed online. They can be viewed on any device type or operating system. There is no prescribed route through the guides nor is there a specific timeframe for their completion. They are intended to be generic and flexible.

Zero tolerance to harassment and sexual violence

The university is committed to promoting a safe and supportive environment that is free from harassment and sexual violence

Harassment is any form of unwelcome behaviour that humiliates, intimidates or offends any person. This includes physical contact, verbal and non-verbal behaviour which may or may not relate to a person’s gender, race, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or belief, age, disability or any other personal characteristic. 

Sexual violence is an umbrella term referring to various different sexual offences including but not limited to sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, rape and domestic violence.  Behaviours such as unwanted groping or kissing along with other forms of sexual assault are criminal offences which may result in an arrest and a conviction. 

Students who experience or witness harassment/sexual assault (even if it is not directed at themselves personally) can report the incident to: 

• Your tutors
• Any member of university staff
• Directly to the police on phone number 101 or on 999 in an emergency

Your Students' Association

Your Students' Association is a tertiary students’ association that represents the interests of all further and higher education students, no matter how they study or what they study. Its structure is unique and reflects the composition of the university partnership.

Your Students' Association campaigns for student rights, runs social events and supports clubs and societies, as well as raising students’ voices in all levels of university boards and committees. They aim to make sure your student voice is at the heart of all decisions about learning and teaching and your student experience.

We would encourage you to find out who your Your Students' Association depute president or local officer is and find out the brilliant opportunities that are available at your college.