Learning at Beds

The first few weeks of your time at the University of Bedfordshire might feel overwhelming and complex. To support you with settling in as a student at the University, every course will have an academic induction programme with an accompanying set of resources and activities on the University website.

It is important you attend these sessions to get orientated and inducted into all the academic aspects of your course and learning journey.

All students at the University of Bedfordshire are asked to participate actively in personalised and realistic learning that is: • Meaningful – you will see personal, social, professional, intellectual and practical relevance in the curriculum • Active – you will be actively engaged in the learning process • Challenging – your existing ideas, knowledge and assumptions will be challenged through opportunities for creative and enjoyable learning • Reflective – you will have structured opportunities for reflection within a process of development that will encourage you to internalise your experiences and make connections across boundaries • Collaborative – you will learn with and through your peers, tutors and others, face-to-face and online, creating and sustaining a learning community • Co-created – you will have the opportunity to influence aspects of the teaching and assessment you experience • Employment focused - your learning here will also have a cutting-edge focus on your future employment ambitions. This will require you to engage with employment-focused opportunities, to reflect on your skills and experiences, and consider their relevance to the world of work

Your learning environment

Your learning won’t solely take place face-to-face in a classroom; you may also be asked to engage in learning digitally, in a workplace and independently.

On campus

This is the learning you will complete face-to-face. Of course, this will happen in lecture halls and seminar rooms with lecturers but you will learn from a range of different individuals, all over the campus. Tutors from the library, study hub or career service may come into your classes and co-deliver sessions on academic skills, information literacy or career development. You will also learn from your peers in the cafeterias, libraries and even the gym. The campus is a learning environment and so learning is everywhere.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or BREO

Your BREO sites will contain activities and resources you should engage with to drive your learning forward; it is also the hub for any distance learning you may be required to do.

In work practice or off campus

Because of our focus on employability, many of you will have placement opportunities or off-campus experiences embedded into your course. This could range from a year’s placement in a local hospital to a field trip to a construction site. The important thing to remember is that this is all part of your learning experience.

Independently

At a higher-education level of study, you will be required to work independently. This will mean completing reading and research on your own so your preparation skills will be put to the test. It is through engaging with independent study, and demonstrating your engagement through the assessment process, that students achieve higher grades, so keep that in mind!