Semesters 2,4 and 6 are the Spring semesters of Years 1,2 and 3. The philosophy and approach to education in British universities is different in some ways from the U.S. system. British students specialize in a specific subject, rather than study a wide range of subjects, as in the U.S. university system. In the British system, a greater emphasis is placed on independent study. Very often there is no detailed schedule and syllabus, as one would expect in the U.S. system, but rather a reading list from which it is the student's responsibility to choose what to read.
Assessment differs according to the course.
It may range from one essay with a final exam at the end of the course to 3 essays and 2 exams. UR exchange students may enroll for any course at QM, as long as they meet prerequisites and places are available. Biology, English, History and Politics majors and minors should mark the titles of the courses for which they wish to be preregistered on their application. These are the only majors that can be pre-registered. Students should be cautious in making this preselection as changes will not be allowed upon arrival to London.