Whats so special about about the system of learning and teaching at Oxford and Cambridge?
The tutorial system provides undergraduates with direct and in most cases one-on-one weekly contact with experts in their academic field(s). Students are required to prepare an essay or other work, which they read or present to the tutor during the weekly tutorial (‘supervision’ at Cambridge). The student’s work is discussed on the spot and the next week’s assignment given. The student is also required to attend University departmental lectures, seminars, labs etc as well as private study, but the tutorial is the core of undergraduate teaching. The tutorial system is emphasised more in Oxford than at Cambridge. Here is a Learned Article about the history, relevance and efficacy of the Oxford tutorial.
