How will I study?

It’s important you know what to expect when your study starts.
Take a look at the resources you’ll have access to and get an idea of what it’s like to study with us.

Student working at his desk
Getting started with AUIE study
About two weeks before you’re due to start, your module website will open.
On there, you’ll have access to:
A week-by-week study planner.
The assessment section, outlining what you have to do for each assignment and when they’re due.
The tutorial booking system, online tutorial room and your tutor’s contact details.
Module forums where you can discuss topics with other students, complete collaborative work and get some extra help if you’re stuck.
All the online, PDF and accessible formats of your module materials and resources.
Your study planner will have most of your module’s key dates already, but you may have to wait a little longer for any residential school or exam dates. Don’t worry though, we’ll make sure you have these in plenty of time.
If your module has printed module materials, you’ll also be sent these before your module starts.
Studying your module
Your study will either be entirely online, or a combination of online and printed module materials.
If you have additional requirements, we offer alternative format materials. We’ll ask you to let us know before you start your first module.
Your module website will be broken down into study weeks. And each week you’ll have a mixture of reading, videos/recordings and interactive activities to go through. Wherever you can get an internet connection, you’ll be able to study.
Other resources
Of course, being a student at the AUIE means you’ll have access to a wealth of other resources as well.
We offer specialist support in the form of our Computing Helpdesk and career planning services. You’ll be able to use our career services for another three years after you stop studying with us.
You’ll have your own StudentHome page, which you log into through the AUIE website. On there, you can:
See all the courses and modules you’ve studied or are studying.
Access your module website.
Submit and collect your assignments.
Choose and enrol on your next module.
Find instructions on how to download free Microsoft Office 365 software, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and more.
Get access to our online Help Centre, a fantastic resource which offers general study skills advice and information about AUIE study

Tutors and tutorials

Our students tell us their tutor’s support is the most valuable element of their study. Your university experience wouldn’t be the same without their expertise.
From support, feedback and tutorials, they’re here to guide you through your modules.

Man having a chat with his tutor on an online call
Support throughout your study
For each module you study with us, you’ll be assigned a tutor. Before you start, your tutor will get in contact to welcome you to the module. They’ll clarify when and how to contact them, and how quickly they’ll reply to you.
Your tutor will:
Mark your assignments (TMAs) and provide detailed feedback.
Guide you to the right learning resources to improve your work.
Provide individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills, or if you’re stuck on a particular topic.
Your tutor should always be the first person you speak to if you need academic advice or guidance. They’re there to work with you and understand the specific challenges you’re facing.
Tutorials
Tutorials usually take place online and will be set up by tutors on the module.
Some online tutorials may be recorded for you to watch later – your tutor will be able to tell you more.
Most tutorials will be one or two hours long. And you can choose if you’d like to attend them or not.
Other module events
You may be invited to attend additional learning events, such as day schools or field trips to museums or art galleries.
Some of our modules also include residential schools where you’ll get the opportunity to develop your practical skills and meet other students.

How will I be assessed?

Assignments give you the opportunity to showcase what you’ve learned and build a foundation to improve on.

Explore the different types of assignment we use at the AUIE in the sections below.

Assessment types

When your module starts, you’ll have access to its unique assessment guide, which will detail what you need to do on each assignment.

Rest assured, you’ll also have a module tutor to help you with your studies. So if you’ve got a question about an assignment, they’re there to give you a hand.

There will be different types of assessment throughout your study. Here’s a quick run-down of the types you may come across:

Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)

  • You’ll usually have a number of these throughout each module.
  • Each one can be an essay, a series of questions, a skills test, a speaking assessment or something else that allows you to show what you’ve learned.
  • They’ll each have a submission deadline.
  • When your tutor returns them, they’ll provide you with detailed feedback on where you can improve.

Interactive Computer-Marked Assignments (iCMAs)

  • Generally these will be available a couple of weeks before the deadline date.
  • They’re always completed online.
  • They’re normally marked by a computer, but may be marked by your tutor.

End-of-Module Assessments (EMAs)/End-of-Module Tutor-Marked Assignments (emTMAs)

  • These are the final, marked piece of work on some modules.
  • They may be similar to TMAs you’ve done on the module, but will usually be a longer piece of work.
  • They’ll usually cover the whole module rather than a part of it.
  • Your EMA/emTMA deadline will always be fixed.
  • If your module has an EMA or emTMA, you won’t normally have an exam as well.

Exams

  • Exams are the final assessed task on some modules. If your module has an exam, you won’t normally have an EMA as well.
  • Your exam date will be fixed.
  • Exams will normally take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location. If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description.
  • If your personal circumstances or disability are likely to have an impact on your ability to take your exam remotely, we may be able to put alternative arrangements in place or make reasonable adjustments. This would need to be discussed with your Student Support Team.

Residential schools

  • Only a few modules have a residential school. Some residential schools will be compulsory – you’ll need to attend to pass the module. Others will be optional.
  • The module description will tell you whether or not it includes a residential school.
  • If you have any concerns about attending a residential school, we’d recommend you talk to us before your module starts.