UBT BA Concepts of teaching and assessment
The academic calendar provides information on specific important dates, providing information on the start and end of lectures, regular exam deadlines, registration and exam submission deadlines.
The academic calendar is approved at the beginning of each year by the Academic Council. An academic year lasts 40 weeks and is divided into two semesters: the Winter semester and the Summer semester (both of 15 weeks) with three regular exam periods in these periods (in February, June, and September). The normal weight of studies is 30 ECTS credits per semester.
To maintain student status, students must have at least 45 ECTS credits per academic year. The basic document for the organization of studies during the semester is the lecture schedule, through which fair and equal distribution of the weight of studies is aimed throughout the study period.
Teaching: Teaching is provided through interactive lectures, seminars, as well as individual lessons. The usual practice is that during the week there are two hours of lectures and one or two exercises depending on the subject. In line with pedagogical approaches, some units may require more direct learning. In many courses, students are required to read some compulsory material, usually 10-15 pages per lecture. Also, papers that are usually requested are research papers of up to 15 pages. Thematic lectures are opportunities offered to students to discuss topics related to their field of study in more depth and to receive additional opinions on certain topics. Therefore, participation in thematic lectures is mandatory. The Moodle electronic platform makes professor-student communication much easier. On this platform, professors can place all materials relevant to their subject, organize online quizzes, communicate test results, send various notifications to students, as well as answer students’ questions.
Assessment: Assessment takes place throughout the semester and is based on teamwork, individual work, presentations, and written exams. All subjects are described in the Faculty’s PlanProgram, where each syllabus describes the main requirements, evaluation methods, as well as mandatory literature. From the second year of studies, students are motivated to develop seminar papers, in which case, in cooperation with the professor of the field, they are included in the annual UBT Conference, while in the last year of studies, students must work on a Diploma Thesis. Usually, during the three academic years, the written exam weights 50-60%, while other activities complete 40-50% of the final grade.
Liaison and Partnership with Industry
The Department of English is in close cooperation with the Career Center at UBT which is one of the most important centers connecting academia with industry and the labor market through career guidance, counseling and student development. The Career Center through professional services helps to build and prepare students in the development and application of soft skills through various professional trainings, which are important for a workplace, information and internships of students, as well as taking care of the job barometer and other connections. with the Alumnus Network.
Internship is one of the main services in the Career Center that creates a good basis of institutional cooperation with local and international firms, companies and organizations so that students have employment opportunities and start thinking about their careers. UBT is planning 100% student practice, enabling them to successfully combine theoretical and practical knowledge, as required by the labor market. Moreover, UBT is constantly involved in cooperation with various media and newspapers, institutions, and embassies where our students can be involved in practical positions.
UBT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various institutions in Kosovo where students can do their internship, such as: