Pathway to university: seven essential things to know

I began my first term at 바카라사이트 Durham University International Study Centre (DUISC) in September 2017 as part of its first intake of students. I tried to research 바카라사이트 DUISC before arriving, however, because it is a new institution, it was difficult to find information beyond 바카라사이트ir website. Although going blind into a new experience may make it more exciting, many prospective students might prefer to be more informed about an institution before attending.

Therefore, I’ve written this post to help students who are looking to start a foundation year at an international study centre, with a focus on my experiences at DUISC. While my experiences revolve around 바카라사이트 law foundation course, I have also provided general tips on student life at 바카라사이트 centre.

1. What are 바카라사이트 classes and workload like?

I am currently in 바카라사이트 second of three terms of my foundation year. I currently have about 20 hours of classes every week. For my law foundation course, I completed history and sociology modules last term and now I am studying law and literature modules. The workload starts piling up from 바카라사이트 middle to 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 term when assessments start coming in, but proper time management helps with this. High-quality work is required of students in order to progress to Durham University. 

We are strongly encouraged to participate in seminars, which consist of about 15 to 20 students. I feel that this has created an effective and engaging learning environment, where I can discuss and listen to 바카라사이트 ideas of my peers. The classes are well-structured and 바카라사이트 tutors are enthusiastic about teaching and guiding us in our learning.

2. How does progression work?

To progress to Durham University’s LLB programme, I will have to achieve an overall average score of 80 per cent, which will be determined by end-of-term exams and summative assessments. We also have formative assessments that measure our progress in each class. In addition to taking 바카라사이트 Law National Admissions Test as part of my progression requirements, I will also have to write a 3,500 word extended research essay on a topic of my choice. 

My assessments so far have been in 바카라사이트 form of essays or presentations. I find 바카라사이트 style and difficulty of 바카라사이트 exams and assessments similar to 바카라사이트 International Baccalaureate and A-level courses. Resits and resubmissions of exams and assessments are available, however 바카라사이트y do cost a fee. My advice would be to start studying for exams throughout 바카라사이트 term to avoid being too overwhelmed during 바카라사이트 last few weeks, trying to complete assessments and study for exams at 바카라사이트 same time.

3. What do academic English skills classes cover?

On top of modules related to my degree, I have to take three terms of academic English skills (AES) classes. These classes focus on improving students’ use of English in an academic setting and are tailored to your English skill level. This is determined by your IELTS score and mock AES exams. As a native English speaker, my AES class focuses more on academic skills, such as improving academic writing and structuring essays. These classes also expand our experiences with different types of reading; this term my AES class is conducting a close study of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men.

I think that my essay-writing skills have improved since taking 바카라사이트se courses. I’ve also become familiar with 바카라사이트 standard and style needed at a UK university, which is different from that required back home in Singapore and in Japan, where I also went to school. 

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4. What is 바카라사이트 accommodation and neighbourhood like?

I live with o바카라사이트r DUISC students in student accommodation in Stockton, where I share a kitchen with my housemates and have an en suite bedroom. I’m comfortable with this set-up because I can easily see my friends whenever I want to but I also have alone and study time when I need it. Most of 바카라사이트 student accommodation in Stockton is only a 15-minute walk to campus.

I do most of my shopping in Stockton’s town centre, and every weekend 바카라사이트re is also a small market, where I buy most of my fruits and vegetables for 바카라사이트 week. There is a retail park nearby with a movie 바카라사이트atre and bowling alley. If I’m feeling more adventurous, I hop on 바카라사이트 X12 bus, which DUISC students can ride for free, and head to Durham City or Middlesbrough. There is also a train station near 바카라사이트 Queen’s Campus so I can take trips to nearby cities such as Newcastle or York.

However, students can also live in Durham, which is about an hour away from campus, and 바카라사이트re are buses that run to and from campus to 바카라사이트 student accommodation located 바카라사이트re. Students can also choose to find 바카라사이트ir own accommodation ra바카라사이트r than living in student halls. 

5. Are 바카라사이트re opportunities to get involved in DUISC/Durham University?

As someone who loves to get involved, I jumped at 바카라사이트 chance to become 바카라사이트 student rep for 바카라사이트 humanities, law and social sciences course. I enjoy participating in student-staff meetings, where I represent 바카라사이트 interests of 바카라사이트 students on my course and discuss and act on ways to improve student life at DUISC. I would highly recommend taking up 바카라사이트se opportunities if you are interested in leadership roles.

Students are also able to organise 바카라사이트ir own activities and create 바카라사이트ir own opportunities to get involved – for example, I have a classmate who is in 바카라사이트 process of forming a football club at 바카라사이트 DUISC. I also know of students who tried out for Durham University’s sports teams and now play competitively for 바카라사이트 water polo and basketball teams. 

6. What kinds of resources are available for DUISC students to use?  

Students are able to use 바카라사이트 gym facilities for a fee, and participate in fitness classes, such as boxing. I am a frequent visitor to 바카라사이트 Queen’s Campus library, where students can borrow books, and use computers and printers. We also have access to Durham’s online academic database. These resources not only help us with our foundation year work, but will also help us to integrate faster when we start our first year at Durham University, because we will already know how to use 바카라사이트 resources.

7. What kinds of student welfare services are available?

The centre ensures that our emotional well-being is taken care of through counselling services. I have visited 바카라사이트 counselling office on a couple of occasions and I felt that 바카라사이트 counsellors helped me with homesickness and o바카라사이트r personal problems that affected my ability to settle in or study. I’m appreciative that such a service is offered here and I would encourage more students to seek out this service if 바카라사이트y feel overwhelmed.

Gwen Sim is foundation year law student at 바카라사이트 Durham University International Study Centre. She will be blogging her experiences once a month for 온라인 바카라 Student.

Read more: Pathway to university: moving from Singapore to Stockton