The flexible structure of the Stages 0 and 1 enables many students to delay their final choice of Honours subjects until entry to Stage 2. The following flow-chart provides a useful summary of the structure and indicates the number of modules taken in each year. The purpose of these modules is to give those students who enter at Stage 0 a good foundation for the higher level modules of their intended degrees. Students at Stage 0 select six modules to study, three in each semester. University work in Stage 0 introduces students to subjects in such a manner as to enable the material to be developed in a way that leads naturally to their study at higher levels.
Some modules introduce a subject which is new to students.
Most students will choose subjects which they have met at school, but many will include at least one subject which is new to them. The modular degree structure allows a wide choice of modules in subjects from outside science and possibly, with approval, taken from modules available at a higher level of study. The majority of students enter Stage 1 directly from school, so Level 1 modules have been designed to make the transition from school to university as smooth as possible. At Stage 1, students are required to take six modules. The modular system provides students with the greatest possible freedom of choice and with the option of covering a wider range of subjects than in many other universities.