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Information about contact hours for programmes of study at The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment.
Undergraduate programmes
The majority of The Bartlett’s undergraduate programmes are made up of 360 credits. Each 15 credit module equates to 150 hours of learning and The Bartlett expects students to spend at least 35 hours per week on their studies throughout the academic year.
The learning hours are made up of a variety of different pedagogical formats and it depends on the discipline as to how the material will be taught. All programmes are delivered by varying combinations of lectures and seminars, others by small tutorial groups, fieldwork, e-learning, student-led contact, group work with peers, as well as independent study, and even laboratory/studio work. Many contain elements of all these types and others besides.
For example our architectural design programmes are predominantly studio based, so the timetable is dependent on whichever design group students select at the beginning of the academic year. What and how students then learn is related to the design and research within that group - design groups develop their own briefs, each defining their own particular interpretation of the programme and its pedagogical approach.
It also depends on the specific module as to how the learning hours are split. For example some modules may contain more hours of lectures than others, but less time spent in tutorials or seminars. Some have a heavy emphasis on group work whereas others rely more on independent study.
There is no one single approach, as each module is uniquely designed to provide the best learning experience for our students.
Graduate taught programmes
In a typical week, if studying a 180 credit Masters programme full-time, you should be prepared to devote at least 35 hours per week to your studies for the full 52-week duration of your programme[1]. If you are studying part-time, you should expect to spend at least 17.5 hours per week and if studying on a flexible modular basis, the amount is calculated pro-rata[2].
Learning hours are made up of a variety of teaching methods and materials will vary depending on the discipline of the programme. All programmes are delivered through a varying combination of lectures and seminars, others by small tutorial groups, fieldwork, e-learning, student-led contact, group work with peers, as well as independent study, and even laboratory/studio work. Many contain elements of all these types and others besides.
For example our architectural design programmes are predominantly studio based, so the timetable is dependent on whichever design group you are in. The literature review, thesis, software classes or any other extras are all centred around the design group you choose at the beginning of the programme. What and how you then learn is related to the design and research within that group - design groups develop their own briefs, each defining their own particular interpretation of the programme and its pedagogical approach.
It also depends on the specific module as to how the learning hours are split. For example some modules may contain more hours of lectures than others, but less time spent in tutorials or seminars. Some have a heavy emphasis on group work whereas others rely more on independent study. There is no one single approach, as each module is uniquely designed to provide the best learning experience for our students.
Graduate research programmes
As a research degree student, your principal supervisor will establish a timetable of regular meeting where all matters relating to your work can be discussed. These meetings should take place at least once per month. Subsidiary supervisors should stay acquainted with the progress of your work and be present at, at least, annual supervisory meetings.
[1] The majority of The Bartlett’s UCL Masters programmes are made up of 180 credits, three programmes are 15 months in duration and a handful last for 2 years and are made up of either 240 or 300 credits. Each 15 credit module equates to 150 hours of learning, which adds up to 1,800 hours for a 180-credit Masters. 180 UCL credits equates to 90 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points.
[2] This means a 240 credit Masters is made up of 2,400 hours or learning time and a 300 credit Masters 3,000 hours.