‘Notional learning hours’ are the estimated learning time taken by the ‘average’ student to achieve the specified learning outcomes of the course unit, programme, or learning experience. They are therefore not a precise measure but provide students with an indication of the amount of study and degree of commitment expected. Notional learning time includes teaching or face-to-face contact time (lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory practicals, workshops, fieldwork, etc.), time spent in structured learning in the workplace, time spent on preparing and carrying out formative and summative assessments (completing assignments and research, written coursework, oral presentations, exams, etc.)
It is the number of hours a learner is expected to spend to achieve the specified learning outcomes. It includes all learning relevant to the achievement of the learning outcomes e.g. directed study, essential practical work, project work, private study, and assessment.
Higher Education uses the 10-hour credit which means that each credit awarded equates to 10 notional hours of successful learning. The notional learning time encompasses all time (formal classes, self-study, reading, searching the internet for information, writing assignments) spent by the learner in pursuit of achieving the designated learning outcomes.
Credit – Credits provide a means of quantifying learning outcomes achievable in notional learning hours at a given level.
- One credit is awarded for 10 notional hours of successful learning activity.
- Notwithstanding the link between credit and notional learning time, the emphasis of assessment should be on learning achieved and not time served.
- Credits are awarded for the achievement of specified learning outcomes.
Notional learning time – Taught or contact time will vary according to the mode of delivery, but notional learning time will not. All learning relevant to the learning outcomes should be considered when notional learning time is being estimated. Consideration should also be given to the level at which the learning is being offered. Notional learning time is not equivalent to the actual time that any learner needs to spend in order to achieve the learning outcomes. Real-time will vary according to the individual’s capability, degree of prior experiential or other learning, and the mode of learning, for example, in the case of work-based learning the actual time spent in the workplace may
