As a Northeastern Student studying abroad, there were many differences that I came across in the teaching style in Britain. I had completed my first semester in Boston before coming to London and had different expectations than what I was faced with. After speaking to my peers, I realized that everyone in the cohort faced such shocks, and here are some of the differences we observed. 

Grading Style

The UK grading system is much stricter than the one we’re used to in Boston. Luckily for us, there is a Northeastern/NCH grading scale that transfers grades back to our school fairly. As per the British system, an 80 on 100 on an assignment is an EXCEPTIONAL grade, and usually, not many students hit the 75-80 mark. Do not fret, though; usually, a score above 69 translates to an A grade at Northeastern. When we received our first assignments back and saw scores in the 60s, our first thought was that we were failing that class. However, we were reminded that a score in the 60s is a sign that we’ve done well and scored a high B or an A- on the Northeastern scale. It can take some time to get used to the grading scale but don’t let the low numbers fool you when you’re doing well.

Pattern of Assignments

Unlike the American system, the British system doesn’t have a bunch of smaller assignments. Instead, a limited number of significant tasks are spread out evenly throughout the semester. These assignments come with proper briefs made available to students at the beginning of the semester, giving us enough time to structure and plan how we want to approach the assignment and complete the submission. Unlike the American system, these assignments are considered a significant part of the grade and are treated formally. Most written works in the UK have been submitted anonymously, giving the professor a fair chance to grade students. 

Deadlines and Registry 

The colleges in the UK follow more of a hierarchical structure which means that if a student has an issue with the assignment/submitting assignments on time, they cannot talk about those concerns with the professor. Instead, they need to approach the registry. Unlike the American system, where students can freely discuss issues about assignments with professors, the anonymity aspect of assignments makes it very difficult to discuss fragments of the assignment with the professor, and any technical difficulties or inability to turn in an assignment on time has to be discussed with the registrar.

Teaching Style

From the informal survey I conducted, I can conclude that all students in the program felt that the teaching style in the UK focuses more on the depth of the subject, whereas the American teaching style is more on the breadth. Another difference we noticed was that classes in the UK are very theoretical and writing-intensive, whereas it is more about practicality and presentations in America. You can expect to learn more about the how and why of any particular concept with a lot of detail should you pursue any education in the UK.

General Relation With the Faculty

Unlike what many might expect, professors and faculty members in the UK are more relaxed with being on a first name basis with students; however, it is always advisable to check with your professor about what they prefer being addressed. Since the classes are smaller at NCH than at Northeastern, there is a stronger relationship between the students and professors and more communication. The classes tend to be more interactive since it’s a smaller group of students and encourages students to get to know each other and the faculty.

In conclusion, there are significant differences that you can expect to encounter when you decide to study abroad. That said, faculty and staff recognize that students come from different countries and are more aware. There are also plenty of resources available to ensure that students don’t experience a lot of shocks while adjusting to the cultures abroad. Even though there are differences, I believe it has helped me develop many skills, especially time management and planning. Although adjusting to the differences can be overwhelming at first, it eventually falls into place.