Learning in Different Contexts

You may have heard people describe University as “the ivory tower” when they want to suggest that it is somehow separated from the “real world” of work and everyday practical concerns. In fact, as part of your time studying and working in higher education, you will learn a great deal about the real world and develop a range of academic skills, many of which will be extremely useful to you in whatever it is you choose to do during and after your time at University.

Learning in different contexts relies on many of the same skills that you’re developing in your academic studies, but applied to new areas of endeavour. Recognising and communicating the transferability of many of these academic skills is a task itself, but one that is still part of the university experience. These pages will offer you support in engaging with two forms of learning that are common opportunities for developing these transferable skills:

• a year abroad, where you study in another country and higher education institution, either as a core part of your programme or as an additional opportunity; and
• a work placement , where time in the workplace forms part of your university experience.