I am on the eve of my first test in my semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh. It has been nearly 7 months since my last exam during finals at JHU, so I am a little anxious although nothing too bad.
This reminds me of how different the educational systems are in the USA versus the UK. Although I have only been in the UK for one semester, I can get a strong sense of their academic atmosphere. Before I came over I had these amazingly high expectations that education systems in the UK were far more outstanding than those in the USA - at least it was made to seem that way. The UK schools have less exams and place more emphasis on independent learning. What this means is 1 small exam in the semester and 1 term paper, finishing the semester with 1 major exam. Or it means 1 term paper for a humanities course. This also means students hardly ever study during the semester and cram at the very last second.
In the USA, almost all of my science classes have at least 2 exams in the semester and a final exam. There is also included papers and works for the laboratory classes. Students in the USA cram as well, I am not denying that. However, imagine having 4 exams to cram for and you study 1 week for each exam. That is 4 weeks of learning you did. In the UK if you have 1 exam and cram 1 week, you learn 1 week of material and hardly absorb anything.
It has been said that the american system spoon-feeds its students the information. I have to disagree and say that it helps to point out the most important information in the field because the information in science in HUGE. How can a professor honestly expect an undergraduate to wade through the vast amounts of data and information and expect to come to terms with all of it. We do NOT know what is the most important information in the field – that is for you to tell us ( I am speaking mainly to UK professors).
However, the UK system does promote academic exploration and I have to say since I do not know what I am supposed to know for the course, I essentially read everything that I can get my hands on. So I will come out of this semester having learned quite a bit, but I am not so sure that I will do well in the class. It is hard to focus one’s thoughts when you have to learn everything in front of you.
On the whole, I would not entirely say one system is better than the other – they are just different. Any thoughts from anyone on this issue?
Hey Neil, I went to Edinburgh for my undergrad too. I spent my third year in the US at UC Santa Cruz. Having experienced both sides, I would have to say that I still prefer the UK system. In the US I found that exams were about regurgitating facts whereas in Edinburgh I was taught to apply my knowledge.
Having said that – one year in the states was enough to completely change my attitude towards studying! In my first two years in Edinburgh, I used to skive all the time, cadging notes of friends and generally doing the minimum required to pass. At UCSC my classes were so much smaller that if I missed a lecture, it was really obvious! Also, I would miss so much I’d really struggle when it came to exams – which as you pointed out happen so much more regularly. So I started to take pride in my grades and made it my mission to get a 2.0. (Though studying on a beach in California was definitely more of an incentive than rainy Musselburgh). The work ethic I gained from studying in the US stayed with me when I got back and helped me to get a really good degree. I’m sure it also had a lot to do with my decision to do a PhD.
So anyway, I got a bit side tracked there sorry! I guess what I’m saying is that, I prefer the style of learning in the UK but it couldn’t hurt for UK students to take more of a US work ethic – and start to appreciate a university education as a privilege not a right.
sorry – clearly I meant 4.0, it’s been a while!
Jen, thank you for responding. In defense of the US system, I think it depends which University you go to and what program you are getting. My program in Biophysics at Johns Hopkins does emphasize problem solving and “regurgitation” of facts is strongly discouraged.
The same could probably be said about the UK Universities as well. I am just basing my knowledge on Edinburgh and have tried to understand it as a whole by talking to students from other Universities and also talking with friends that have just graduated from their A-levels.