This may be your first formal programme of study or it may be some time since you last undertook any programme of study. If this is the case you may like to note the following general guidelines:
- Regular short periods of study (half an hour to one and a half hours) are better than infrequent, but lengthy sessions.
- Take regular breaks if you are studying for long periods.
- Allocate a realistic portion of time each week for study, e.g.six hours per week.
- Do not attempt to answer the SAQs until you have completed the relevant unit of the course.
- Try to study in an environment where it is quiet and there is likely to be a minimum of interruption. Inform your family that you are undertaking a course and need regular study time. If you intend to use your lunch hour for study purposes, you may wish to inform your line manager and ask for support and no interruptions.
Careful planning is crucial to your success. Consider the following questions:
- What is my target date to complete the course?
- How long have I got to complete the course?
- Is my study likely to be affected by outside factors, e.g. holidays, business trips, work commitments?
- When are the workshops?
- What is the date of the examination?
- When will I study – early morning, lunch times, evenings, days off, weekends?
- Where will I study – at work (lunchtimes), library, home?
- How often will I study – every day, once or twice a week?
- For how long will I study at any one time – two hours, one hour, 30 minutes?
More detailed guidance on the approach to studying is set out in the study handbook.
Learn more about studying on the internet, see our links to other sites in the Links section.
Download the
Study Planner which helps pace your studies during the course of the programme.
Referencing
Follow this link to the University of Manchester's helpful page on correctly referencing your source materials for your assignments and exams:
REFERENCING.
If you have any further queries use the Support Area to contact either our administration team or a tutor.