Thinking about University?
Academics
Professors - Not just mad scientists
When you think of a professor you might picture an old person with glasses, someone who will put you to sleep with boring speeches. Or maybe you think of a mad scientist, blowing things up in a laboratory. This isn’t really what most university professors are like! While some of them can be boring, most professors are exciting people who really love their subject. Professors are some of the most important people for a student at university.
Accommodation
Where will you live?
For many students, going to university is the first time they live away from home. Most universities have buildings where students can live while they are studying. Students from all different backgrounds and studying all different subjects live together in these Halls of Residence.
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Admin
The administration or 'admin' are the offices at a university where hundreds of staff work. No teaching happens in these buildings. Instead, this is where all the managers of the university work - including the "Vice-Chancellor", who is like the principal or headteacher for the whole university.
Amenities
A university is so large that it takes up many buildings. The place where these buildings are is called the university campus.
A university campus is like its own little town – with places to live, places to eat (pubs, coffee shops, the canteen), and everything else you need – like a health clinic, library and post office.
Campus Life
What’s going on?
University isn’t just about books and learning! There are lots of different things going on every day at a university.
Clubs and Societies
There is more to university than just books and learning. Universities have lots of clubs and societies for students to join. They are usually run by students, and anyone can participate. Joining a club or society can be a great way to learn something new and to meet people.
Community
What sort of people will be at university? Will people make fun of you? Will everyone be smarter than you?
You needn’t worry that you won’t fit in at university. Universities are large communities. The students and professors come from all different backgrounds and have all sorts of interests – so you will certainly find a group of people that you feel comfortable with!
Degree
A degree is basically the award you get when you complete your course at university. It’s important because it tells other people – and yourself! – that you know a lot about your subject.
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Faculties
These are like mini schools within the University - in fact, some universities call them 'Schools' instead of 'Faculties'.
Lectures
The ‘big classes’
At university, students are often taught in large groups. It may be a group about the same size as your class now, but it may be as many as 100 or more students! This sort of teaching, where a teacher speaks to a large group of students, is called a lecture.
Library
Every university has its own library. The university library is similar to the libraries you are used to, only it is bigger, better and busier!
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Location
Universities are located all around the country just like schools. They can be in cities, in the middle of the country or even by the sea.
Some students study at a local university and stay living at home and many students go to university away from home and live with other students in houses or university accommodation called Halls of residences.
Research
Universities teach students, but another important thing goes on there - research. Research is the work that professors or students do to come up with new ideas for the world.
Seminars
The‘little classes’
A seminar is your chance to share your thoughts with your teacher and classmates. A seminar is when a small group of students meet with a professor. There is no hiding in the back of the classroom in a seminar!
Students' Union
The Students' Union runs all of the clubs and societies at the university – everything from the Archery Club to the Sky diving Society are part of the Students' Union. The Students' Union also organises things like dances, parties, fundraisers and other fun events for the students.
Studying
The learning that happens at university is similar to the learning you’ve done since you entered secondary school. At university, students meet with teachers and with other students, they read and write and take tests. But it is different from the learning you do in school too. For one thing, it is much more difficult. University students spend a lot more time studying.
Support
Need some help?
Does university sound a little scary or bewildering? It definitely can be, but universities are very good at caring for their students. Here are some of the people and places on campus that are there to help you:
