Session 1 – A guide to University
Reading
To do a task
Notetaking
What is our aim?
• Give you a better understanding of what it's like to transition to university
• How different the learning and teaching is at university
• Give you a taster session with two patient case studies on cardiovascular
diseases!
• Help you with your A-level revision
Our plan for the first session:
1. Why go to university?
2. Typical week at university
3. Differences with teaching and learning
4. Adapting to everyday life
5. Clubs and societies at University of Leeds
6. Financial support
7. Student support and wellbeing
Our plan for the following sessions:
Week 2 (7th
of March)
• Learning about cardiovascular physiology using the workbook to prepare
you for the case studies
Week 3 (14th
of March)

• First case study that we will do with you
Week 4 (21st
of March)
• Second case study on a rare genetic disease related to cardiovascular
disease that you will answer in groups supervised by one of us
In one or two words what is your first impression about
university?
Start a task
Scan this QR with your phone and send in your answers
I) Teaching and learning at University
‘university challenges you to become an independent critical thinker’
(University of Leeds)

Why go to University?
• You have a strong passion for your course
• Improve future career prospects
• Develop your independence and confidence
• Gain great experience in a new environment and meet new people
• Have fun!
Typical week at University
How different is learning and teaching at University?
• students are taught through a blended approach with both online and face
to face learning
• video and audio recordings from lectures are available through your virtual
learning environment (you will have access to this once you start university) so
that you can go back and watch the lecture contents
• researched based learning is also an important part of university that you
will be required to do (e.g: reading research papers and studies relevant to the
topic you are learning)
• independent study and research are crucial to the course!!!
• plenty of opportunities of working with fellow students
• you will get assigned a personal tutor at the beginning of year 1 who will
support and advise you academically
➢ Assessments at University
➢ in 1st year: multiple choice questions (MCQs) or/and short answer
questions used in online time limited assessments (OTLAs)
➢ in 2nd and 3rd year: longer essays used in online time limited assessment
(OTLAs)

➢ Assessements can be during the semester or during the exam period
(January and May every year)
➢ written lab reports, grant applications, oral presentation, reflective accounts,
portfolios or delivering poster presentations
➢ Different activities that you will do during your course
will include:
➢ project work
➢ laboratory sessions
➢ practical sessions
➢ field work
• independent study
What is hybrid learning?
➢ Autonomy over your learning
University is what YOU make of it!
• Having autonomy over my learning means working independently after each
lecture, managing and organising my work load, doing further reading on the topic,
creating revision material...
• Unlike school and college, you won't be led by the hand and helped every
step of the way!
• Lecturers and personal tutors are there to guide you but you are the one
that has to initiate the interaction if you want help
How do I become autonomous in my learning?
• I need to find an effective note taking technique during lectures (taking
paper notes or digital notes on the computer)
• For exams and assignments I need to research the topic and add to the
notes I already have from the lecture
• I need to have my own revision techniques
• I need to develop a good work routine giving time for my academic work
and social life
• I need to develop healthy habits and try my best to attend every lecture
You can find more information on learning and teaching for Biomedical sciences
courses here:
https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/j416/biomedical-sciences-mbiol-bsc

II) Getting involved: Sports clubs and societies
• outdoor sports with sport facilities around campus and in Leeds (Wetwood
sports park, Boddington Playing fields, Yorkshire Dales, boat house near Twaite
Mills Stourton)
• ‘Get out and get active’ programme: gives you the chance to try out a
range of fun and sociable healthy activities on campus and in the local countryside
• Leeds University Union clubs
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/around-campus/doc/sport-fitness
• The Edge: University Gym centre
• Volunteering opportunities
III) Financial support at the University of Leeds
Scholarships do not need to be paid back!
1. Sport scholarship program
• for athletes who are able to compete at high levels whilst studying
2. Coaching scholarships
• give students the opportunity to work alongside head coaches of the
University of Leeds to raise club performance
• application normally starts in Spring 2023 for September 2023 but you
should check this!
• email performancesport@leeds.ac.uk for more information
More information about scholarships can be found here:
https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/performance-sport-scholarships/
3. Leeds Bursary
• non-repayable support for full-time and part-time UK students

• helps students with the costs of being at University (e.g: cash bursary,
discount on your fees, help with University accommodation)
• the level of support you receive depends on your household income
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/leeds-bursary
4. Scholarships on personal achievement
• This depends on household income level
• includes one to one support and advice sessions, group workshops,
mentoring opportunities, social events and monthly newsletters through the Plus
Programme
• You need to meet the eligibility criteria
• You need to be entering Leeds as full-time level one undergraduate in the
following September.
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/personal-
circumstances-scholarships
You can email them for more information: ugscholarships@leeds.ac.uk.
Scholarships FAQs: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-
scholarships/doc/scholarships-faqs
5. Plus Programme
• support scheme for UK-fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate
taught students who come from backgrounds that are less represented at
university
• help with the transition, success and progression at University
Different ways the Plus Programme helps students:
• Signposting: at the beginning of the year if you feel like you have questions
or need help accessing different services, the programme will direct you in the
right direction
• Events: they offer exclusive and free events all year for students to build
skills and feel comfortable at Leeds. Students can also have exclusive or priority
on certain events and services at the University.
• Clubs and Societies fund: helps you with the membership costs of joining
clubs and societies

• The Opportunities Fund: financially supports students for professional
development opportunities like internships, conferences or interviews.
• Weekly activity updates: keeps students updated on the best activities
from all over campus and the city of Leeds
• Mentoring opportunities: students can either have a go at mentoring other
students from the Plus Programme or have mentoring for them from professionals.
• Social Media Community: Subscribing to their social media as a way to
meet other students from the Plus Programme.
• Estranged and Care leaver Support: supports students who are
estranged or care experienced.
You can find more information about the Plus Programme here:
https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/1000014/plus_programme
You can get in touch with the Plus Programme here: theplusprogramme@leeds.ac.uk.
6. Scholarships on academic achievement
• awarded by the School of Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences and
School of Molecular and cellular biology
• certain criteria need to be met
• Biomedical school offers means-tested scholarships
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/scholarships-academic-
achievement
IV) Financial support from outside the University
1. Financial hardship funding
• University funded scheme for students and postgraduate researchers who
face unexpected financial difficulties and don’t have an alternative source of
financial support
• Helps with living costs
• Certain criteria need to be met

• Can apply at any time or date
More information can be found here:
https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10231/university_financial_assistance_fund/618/start_yo
ur_application_now
2. Government funding:
➢ Tuition fee loans
➢ For UK undergraduate student in full-time or part-time education
➢ Covers full tuition fees
➢ Can apply to this regardless of your household income
• Student loans company will pay your tuition fees directly to the university
each year
• It is repayable, you start paying it back after you graduate or leave your
course and only if you are earning a certain income
How can I apply?
• You need to create an account on Student Finance England and then start
the application
Student Finance England:
https://logon.slc.co.uk/welcome/secured/login?_locale=en_GB&cookieConsent=accept
➢ Maintenance loans
➢ Student loans company will pay your maintenance loan directly to you in
instalments usually at the start of each term
➢ Repayable
➢ Don’t have to start paying it until you graduate or you leave your course
and if only you are earning a certain income
More information about tuition and maintenance loans can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/student-loans
➢ NHS funding
• Students studying nursing, midwifery and allied health professions are
able to access student loans to cover cost of tuition fees and means-tested
support for living costs
More information can be found here:

https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/nhs-funding
➢ Funding for disabled students (DSA)
➢ Disabled students’ allowance is a grant to help some disabled students
cover any additional costs that arise as a direct result of a disability
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/funding-disabled-
students
Contact the university: disability@leeds.ac.uk
→student advice at Leeds University Union
→support students applying for specific disability related funding
→During term time they are in the Leeds University Union building every day
of the week including week ends
Contact them: 0113 3801 400 email: advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk
➢ Funding for students with dependents
➢ If you have children or adults who depend on you, you may be able to
access government funding to provide extra financial support while you study
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-government/doc/funding-students-
dependents
V) Wellbeing and support
• Several services are available at university to help you
• Student services provide help if you are struggling with life at university
and would like some additional support

• Free counselling, well-being and mental health support
More information on the wellbeing services can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-student-life/doc/wellbeing-support
• Assigned to a personal tutor at the beginning of the year for your entire
time at university
• Support for care-experienced or estranged students
VI) Career support
• Careers office helps and supports you with study abroad/ internship opportunities, job
opportunities during your time studying at university and also once you graduate.
More information can be found here:
https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-career/doc/careers-support
VII) Summary
• University is different to college and school: you are an independent
learner and you are expected to take responsibility on your learning
• University of Leeds has a hybrid style of learning
• You will have to adapt to living independently away from home (for those
moving to university)
• There are many societies and clubs for you to meet people
• Financial support, student support and wellbeing are there to help you at
university
• University is a great experience but do not think it will be all fun and games
you will have to work!