Student Charter

Your Study

Full details of important information relating to your studies can be accessed on the web as follows:

This contains module descriptions, learning outcomes, class contact details and how you will be assessed.

Study Schemes - www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-schemes

This sets out the structure of your course, and including which modules you must take (core), can choose between (options) and where you have free choice (electives).

Programme Specifications - www.aber.ac.uk/en/programme-specs/disclaimer

You can find here details of the aims and objectives of your course, its overall learning outcomes and the skills a typical student should acquire.

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the details of your chosen modules and study scheme.

Work placements

Work or study placements form an integral part of some degree schemes. These include language degree schemes which require you to spend a period abroad, and a number of sandwich courses in the Department of Computer Science and IBERS which have a year's work placement integrated with the subject of study. Other courses include shorter work placement periods or a module of work experience, e.g. Sport and Exercise Science. PGCE courses involve placements at over 50 Secondary Partner schools across Wales.

The Year in Employment Scheme (YES) is an optional programme open to students reading any degree scheme. It enables you to test the water in one or more career areas and to develop your skills base, as well as enhancing your employability at a time when employers are increasingly saying that a degree on its own is not enough. The work undertaken is at graduate level but does not have to be directly related to your degree subject.

As well as advertising a range of other national and international work experience opportunities, the Careers Service organises placements with local small and medium sized enterprises. These take the form of short unpaid work 'tasters' and (typically) 6-10 week paid project-based placements - both run on behalf of the GO Wales programme.

Making your views known

Aberystwyth has extensive provision for students to take part in making decisions about academic matters.

All departments have Staff-Student Consultative Committees, (SSCCs) with staff members and student course representatives. ‘Course reps’ are ordinary students elected to represent you to the department – any student can volunteer to become one and each year you get the chance to vote in those you would like. Course representatives communicate student views at SSCCs and in a number of other ways.

Course Reps can attend the Course Rep Council every month, organised by the Guild of Students. At these meetings they discuss current issues and share progress in their department. This provides the Guild of Students with the information they need to support the student body and helps update the course reps on what is gong on across the University. Students also have representatives on most University Committees. Training and support for these representatives is organised and provided by the Guild of Students, with University support. Incentives are available to those who become course representatives.

You can see our Code of Practice on Student Representation on

www.aber.ac.uk/en/quality-assurance/student-representation/

We also require all our departments to elicit the views of students by means of student questionnaires. You are asked to complete and return your questionnaires to departments as soon as possible after they have been distributed. Once analysed, the results are discussed at Departmental Boards and reported to the relevant Staff/Student Consultative Committee. They are also reported to Faculty via the minutes of the Departmental Board.

An analysis of these results over recent years also forms part of the documentation required for submission as part of departmental reviews.

It is important that you express your views via these questionnaires and that you participate in , or are at least aware of, the discussions of your departmental Staff/Student Consultative Committee.

Final year undergraduates are also invited to participate in the National Student Survey, (http://www.thestudentsurvey.com/) undertaken annually across the UK, covering topics such as:

1. Teaching
2. Assessment and Feedback
3. Academic Support
4. Organisation and Management
5. Learning Resources
6. Personal Development
7. Overall Satisfaction

The results of this survey appear on Unistats.direct.gov.uk

Widening access

Aberystwyth recognises the importance of credit accumulation as a means of recognising learning that has already been achieved, and we are prepared to count this achievement towards the award of degrees.

We also recognise the role of distance learning as a means of widening access. We offer a number of vocational courses through our Open Learning Unit. Aberystwyth is a full member of the local Access Consortium and Open College Network.

Support for your studies

The introductory section of the prospectus includes a section on Academic Life which explains the degree structure and the system of modular teaching. Teaching and Learning methods are also outlined there. More specific information on teaching and learning is contained in the module database where these details are given for each module.

The section in the prospectus on Academic Facilities refers both to the University Libraries and the National Library of Wales which is situated adjacent to the campus, and to computing and audio-visual facilities.

You have the right to use Library and Computing facilities as long as you remain registered as a student with the Institution and you comply with the regulations issued by the service in question. Leaflets and guides on the services and facilities available to students are available from Information Services (see appendix 2).

The Learner Support Centre (www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-support/learner-support) offers all students an entitlement to classes in study practices including academic writing, communication and examination skills. The staff are also trained in helping students with specific learning difficulties, for example dyslexia.

Communication skills, problem solving abilities and personal development feature in our teaching activities.