How can I tell whether a department is more theoretical or more practical?
Check the curriculum and course syllabi to see whether they emphasize lectures, reading, and theory, or experiments, exercises, design or production work, practical training, and projects. Graduation research topics, assessment methods, faculty research areas, and examples of student work are also useful. Do not rely only on brochures; confirm current details through the official website, an open campus, or questions to current students.
Key points
- Check the balance of required and elective courses and how class time is used.
- Look for opportunities such as experiments, practical training, industry-linked projects, and internships.
- Use syllabi, examples of graduation research, and faculty specializations—not only the department name.
Things to check
- The balance between theory and practice can vary by university, faculty or department, course, and academic year, and a program may combine both approaches.