Teaching

Most modules are taught using a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Lectures provide you with information, analysis and argument, on the basis of which you prepare for discussion or problem solving in your seminars.

Seminars are much smaller groups, in which you deepen your learning through interactive group discussion, debates, and exchange of ideas. Tutors will provide you with reading, instructions, notes or tasks, and guide work and discussions. You’ll be expected to prepare independently or in groups and share your views and debate the issues and concepts with your classmates.

Class Size

In the majority of your modules, you will learn alongside students on single honours and other joint degrees, exposing you to a wide range of knowledge from your peers. Therefore, some core module lectures may have up to 500 students in them, while optional module lectures may have from 30 up to around 200. Seminars usually have 14 to 18 students.

Contact Hours

Each module has scheduled hours of roughly three hours per week. So, in first year you will receive around 15 hours of contact time per week. This reduces to 12 hours per week in your second and final years. In your third year you may choose to place a stronger emphasis on individual research by taking a dissertation or research project.

Alongside timetabled teaching, you are encouraged to make use of regular feedback sessions and opportunities to speak with module directors and seminar tutors. Departments also offer many extra academic activities, including optional lectures, colloquia, discussion groups and workshops.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a mix of exams, tests, essays and other assessments, and you’ll get extensive feedback to help you progress. You’ll also have formative essays and tests, which are assessments that may not contribute marks to your overall grade. They will, however, provide you with invaluable feedback on what is required from your degree, and guidance on how to develop your style and skills in preparation for your main assessments and exams. Some modules allow you to choose your assessment method, between essay or exam, or occasionally try different styles of assessment, such as filmmaking and blogging.

Skills sessions and programmes

Study skills will be built into your core modules in the first year. So you will develop your academic reading, essay writing, exam technique, data analysis, critical thinking and presentation skills. We also offer specific sessions for second and third years. Warwick also offers the Warwick AwardLink opens in a new window to help you perfect a range of skills and develop yourself further.

Student Support

When you arrive, you will receive a PPE parent from the PPE Society, a current student can tell you about their experiences of life and studies at Warwick. These student volunteers can also help guide and support you, give advice and answer questions you may have. New students very much appreciate knowing that there is another student who is willing to share their experiences with them in this way.

How can I prepare?

Students are not expected to have studied any of the three disciplines before coming to Warwick. If you are particularly enthusiastic and feel like getting started, you will receive information on our Offer Holder pages before you arrive.