Stupid question re extra modules on a degree

CandyApocalypse

Hi,

This is probably a silly question, but I wanted to get a general idea on something in advance.

I will be doing a Joint Hons degree in English Lit and Classical Civilisation. I have heard people saying about doing additional modules that aren't necessarily related to your degree.

I found this concept quite interesting, and wondered how it works? Do you have a certain number you can take in a year? Do I have to pay for those in addition to my actual degree?

Also, I noticed something about signing up for extra modules during a freshers fayre. Is this how it is normally done?

Sorry about so many questions, but I don't really know any other students, and I don't want to go in there first day with a billion questions.

Voyager2002

Not a silly question at all!

Anyway, the answer depends on your specific university and how the course is structured. You are unlikely to be charged extra, but remember that you can only handle a certain amount of work, and if your study is spread out across a range of distinct subjects then the workload will be greater than if everything is tightly focused.

agrinnall

I don't think anyone at the university will be surprised if you have a billion questions to ask when you first start, but they will be disappointed if it turns out that you didn't ask them and that causes problems later on. I would ask your questions and keep asking until you're happy you've got the answers you want. Good luck with your studies.

CandyApocalypse

Thank you very much both.

I'm not sure how undergraduate system works really, ironically, I worked in a University for many years, but only in the Postgraduate Law Dept.

Hopefully I will get a personal advisor and I can fill his/her life with joy with all my questions.

I'm not planning to take on too much, my main priority is keeping up with my actual study, but there are a few modules that might be fun to study from a personal development aspect.

Rosie75

Generally, it's not recommended that you take extra credits in the first year as the first couple of terms can be quite an adjustment. The second year is the time to do this (the third year obviously has pressures of its own). There is also the possiblity of auditing classes (ie. sitting in, but not doing the assessment or gaining credit).

You would need to firstly speak to your department about this, and then the outside department - I'm pretty sure you can't enrol for modules at freshers' fair.

MrsManda

Though it's not necessarily sensible to take extra modules, it may be that your course is structured so you have free modules as well as compulsory modules and restricted choice modules.
The free modules can be anything providing they fit into your timetable. At my university you chose the free modules after your induction when you've been talked through options.

SuperHan

I do a French and Maths degree, and in my first year did Philosophy and Astronomy modules. Most uni's and degrees allow you to do this, these optional modules are called electives. Try having look on your uni website! I know when I started I got sent a catalogue of all the modules I could choose, I just had to choose 12 in total - 4 French, 4 Maths and 4 whatever I liked.

CandyApocalypse

Thanks everyone.

I will wait for enrolment and speak to someone then, I obviously don't want to take heaps of electives (thanks for the terminology), but a few might be interesting. If they suggest I wait until second year, I am happy to do that also