Studying On Two Campuses

By Philip Jones and Charlotte Riddell

February – June 2009

Studying at Both St Luke’s and

Streatham This study investigated how students studying on two campuses felt focusing on :

- General Perceptions- Timetabling- Transport links- Communication between schools- Module choices- Solutions to these problems

Population Data

41 Students participated within the survey. 75.6% Female, 24.4% Male. 100% Home students (UK residents) Year 1- 53.7%, Year 2- 29.3%, Year 3- 14.6%,

Other- 2.4% Human Bioscience, Psychology and Education,

Psychology and Sports Science, English and Education.

‘I benefit from a wide range of expertise because I study more than one subject’ •50.0% Agree •25% Strongly agree

‘I enjoy the variety of studying more than one subject’ •40.0% Strongly agree •45% Agree •85% positive Reponses

General perceptions to studying on

different campuses

Transport Links

Travel between the two campuses

Transport Links- Reponses

60% of participants disagreed or strongly disagree with the statement ‘The transport links between campuses are adequate.’

There should be some form of established transport run by the University, or supplemented use of public transport.

Free bus. More frequent bus between campuses

I think it unfair that we have to pay for travel between campuses. If this cannot be helped then a subsidised amount should be given to us/ cheaper student fare. Also, as the bus runs every 15 minutes or so, starting on the hour, if our lecture finishes on the hour, then it is likely we will miss the bus between campuses and thus be late for the next lecture.

we were told that shuttle buses between the two campuses would probably be provided on an university open day; it hasn't been. The buses take about as long as it takes to walk as they go round the other side and through the main city.

Communication between schools

• 47.5% of participants agree or strongly agree that there is not active communication links between schools.

• On a positive note 56.1% of participants studying two subjects do received relevant e-mails from both schools showing good communication within individual schools.

• School show good communication within assessments (65.9% Agreed or Strongly agreed).

‘We have one tutor from each school. Neither on them have a good overview of what is going on in both the schools as a whole, it is therefore difficult to seek specific advice about the course when it relates to both schools.’

‘Communication between schools. We miss out on important modules such as Stats because of this and are at a strong disadvantage now.’

Module Choices

• 58.5% of participants have said that they are not able to take modules they would have liked to, due to studying in two different schools.

• However overall the communication of module choices and awareness of modules is clearly stated within schools.

‘I really think that being able to pick modules from another school is fantastic, and really aiding in my study’

Solutions

• 68.3% of students that completed the questionnaire said that they were happy with studying on both campuses.

• However 75.6% of the students that responded said that there were things they would like to change about the combined courses.

‘Better communication between departments. More (i.e . some would have been nice) support about travel between campuses when students first arrive.’

‘Free transport between campuses’

‘Not having to switch campuses in the day. Green D bus free for students who study on both campuses. Having lectures back to back so time is not wasted hanging around on campus in between lectures. ‘

Video Conferencing

‘Maybe video conferencing on lectures so that modules that aren't available to Human BioScience students but are to Sports Sci and BioSci can be watched by those interested to help understanding in other modules. for example, they both have studied Biochemistry and Human BioSci have not. This may become useful for further modules.’

‘This would be hugely beneficial. This would enable everyone to access the lecture. There have been times when it has not been possible for me to attend lectures due to the issue of timing. I think this would resolve a lot of issues.’