Time Management
In line with the SCQF Framework, modules are designed under the assumption that each credit represents an average of 10 hours of learning time. Thus for example, a 15-credit module comprising one quarter of a full-time student’s semester workload involves a total of 150 hours. Where there is no exam and the final deadline is in week 14, this amounts to approximately 10 hours per week for 14 weeks. So full-time study is expected to occupy around 40 hours per week.
The table below gives a very rough guideline as to how this time might be broken down, per week, for modules of various sizes.
| Credits | 15 | 20 | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proportion of time | one quarter | one third | one half |
| Total hours | 10 | 13 | 20 |
| Lectures & tutorials | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Background reading & preparation | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| Laboratory & coursework | 3 | 3 | 8 |
A similar division of time applies to modules with examinations, for the 11 weeks prior to the revision period. Students are expected, to a very large extent, to plan their own work, manage their own time, and take the initiative in raising any questions or problems with the staff concerned.