The block timetable

What is the block timetable?

The block timetable uses a six-block system in which each School / Department, or appropriate sub-division within these categories, is allocated either one or two blocks depending on the numbers of core teaching hours they require.

Each block contains six hours of teaching time per level of study arranged across the teaching week.

For the purpose of the block timetable the teaching week is defined as Monday to Friday 09.00 - 19.00 (excluding Wednesday 13.00 - 19.00).

Why has the block timetable been implemented?

The University implemented a block timetable:

  • to enable integration of teaching commitments between Schools / Departments
  • to remove the potential for clashes on Joint Honours courses
  • to allow greater flexibility and to aid the development of new Joint Honours courses
  • to encourage schools and departments to use the whole of the teaching day

How do I identify my School / Department's blocks?

Find your School / Department in the block timetable Groups document (e.g. African Studies are in Group E and Sportex Groups A and B).

By using your group letter(s) and the number of the level it should be possible to find the timeslots allocated to your School / Department in the block timetable grid.

e.g. African Studies Level 1 (E1) has the following block times:

  • Monday 16:00-18:00
  • Tuesday 10:00-12:00
  • Thursday 11:00-12:00
  • Thursday 13:00-14:00

Consult the documents for more details:

Which teaching events should be placed in a block?

Block-type teaching events

The following teaching types should be placed in the blocks allocated to your School / Department:

  • Compulsory modules which are taught in whole groups
  • Split group teaching for compulsory modules where one (or more) of the sessions for the groups must be contained within a block to avoid clashes
  • Whole or split group teaching for popular (or important) options as far as possible (especially in programme years with limited or no compulsory modules)

Modules that are taught separately to Single Honours students only do not have to be placed within blocks.

Modules outside the main discipline

  • Block-type events (defined above) that are also available as modules outside the main discipline (MOMDs) to students from outside the providing School should be placed within the block(s) allocated to the School.
  • Options which are available as standard options on programmes but also available to students from outside the providing School as MOMDs should be retained in their normal teaching slots as far as possible to avoid double teaching.
  • Modules which are only available to students as MOMDs or other appropriate popular multidisciplinary options should be placed within an MOMD slot. There are four hours of MOMD blocks for each level of study as shown on the block timetable grid.

All other options (excluding single honours teaching)

  • If you have not used all your block allocation, place your most popular options in the remaining blocks, and then liaise with your colleagues in the relevant School / Departments in order to place all other options at the most appropriate time available.
  • If you have used all your block allocation, please liaise with your colleagues in the relevant Schools / Departments in order to place remaining options at the most appropriate times available.

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