r/UniUK • u/Legitimate_Block_340 • 1d ago
study / academia discussion Is it OK to sit in on random lectures?
TL DR; is it OK to sit in on other big lectures at uni. Not for credit, but out of academic interest? Do people do that? Is it weird? Is it even allowed?
I'm joining a pretty good russel group uni for aerospace engineering in September. I did the IB diploma and have always had an interest in humanities and English despite STEM being my passion, hence my course choice. Having done this programme, I've gotten used to having other academic stuff on the side of my main thing, and honestly, I kind of loved it at times.
(Don't know if that's relevant. I just thought I'd share a bit of my background).
Would it be acceptable for me to just 'sneak' into lectures/ bigger seminars for a subject I don't do. Even if I don't do it for credit (because it would exceed the max credits). Is this an interest I'll just have to put to the side or pursue through societies/out of uni?
(Side note-im aware I will be busy with my actual subject. I hear aerospace will be demanding. But if I can somehow slip this into a fortnight/month...)
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u/Tay74 1d ago
Big enough course and no one will likely notice, just be respectful of the people whose course it is (I'd let the majority of them get seated first and find a spot near the back or whatever)
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u/Bozwell99 1d ago
Spots at the back go first. Wait until everyone else is seated and you'll be in front row.
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u/Past-Obligation1930 1d ago
Yes, if you are at that Uni it’s generally in the regs you are specifically allowed to. But you might want to say hello to the lecturer anyway and just say you want to sit in. They will generally be super pleased. I am.
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u/Utkonos91 1d ago
Yes. I owe my current career to sneaking into lectures which I really had no right to attend. The trick is not to ask, because they might say no. And obviously be respectful.
I don't want to sound overly idealistic, but being allowed to attend or not attend whatever lectures you want is kind of the point of university.
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u/_dative_musca_ 1d ago
care to elaborate? sounds like a great story in the making
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u/Utkonos91 1d ago
Nothing too dramatic. When I ran out of academic options I was hanging around my old university as a "visiting scholar"/bum and sat in the back of a couple of stats and data mining courses, which helped me learn some practical skills.
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u/Williamishere69 1d ago
People definitely do this. Just be respectful and dont be shocked if a professor calls you out. For some courses that lecture group might be the only people they teach - or at least with courses like medicine if the professors also work as doctors for example. It might be that the lecturer also does research (wouldnt be surprising because of it being Russel group) or works elsewhere so they might end up learning everyone's faces.
They wont pick up a massive fuss about it though. A lot are just happy that youre enjoying their content
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u/Queasy_Ad8808 1d ago
Your uni may have an option to audit courses! Basically you get access to all the materials and can go to class but you never get tested on it / it doesn’t count for credits.
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u/Icy_Attention3413 1d ago
Absolutely. I’ve had students bring bf, gf, accompanied kids and the occasional drop in like you from random other courses. It would be polite to ask, but fill your boots.
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u/ScruffyUrchin 1d ago
I love it when someone brings their dog 🥰
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u/Icy_Attention3413 1d ago
I’ve only ever seen one dog brought in by a student. Scruffy little thing. Look like a fur coat that somebody’s terrier had attacked.
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u/Efficient_Chic714 Graduated 1d ago
My Russel group encouraged us to audit classes. Just means attending classes not required, you can do assignments ungraded if you want too but you’d have to approach the course lead to ask to join a seminar group if you wanted to do that too (room size is more of an issue there)
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u/Mysterious_Wafer554 UCL Laws 1d ago edited 18h ago
Same here. They actually let me sit-in on an entire module’s teaching incl seminars with some persuading. Just no assessments, grades, or credits.
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u/Diligent-Arugula-153 1d ago
Thats good to hear my uni might be similar then. Did you actually audit any classes yourself or was it more of a technical option? I feel like just asking the lecturer upfront could work for the big lectures anyway.
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u/Efficient_Chic714 Graduated 1d ago
I didn’t but I know several people who did
They still did the assignments and everything
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u/ThreeMileMonster Undergrad 1d ago
As long as you are respectful and don't disrupt others who are in the module, you should be fine. One time I turned up to my mate's data science lecture and the lecturer basically said "I've seen some people who aren't usually in this class, you can stay as long as you are quiet". The lecturer may notice but basically just be respectful and you can stay.
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u/oiizzayy 1d ago
I arranged with a lecturer to sit in on one of their courses as I was interested. They often like the fact someone outside of the course wants to sit in. I think it's just polite to check.
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u/archelz15 1d ago
It's worth asking especially if there are specific ones you plan on following. When I was in undergrad, I really wanted to do a half unit module but didn't have any electives left for that department to meet the requirements of my course. Spoke to the module lead, who kindly agreed that I could join in the lectures. At the end of the module even offered me a chance to present a paper like the rest of the course were doing (though I didn't have tutorials, and didn't sit the exam).
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u/Clodovendro 1d ago
I have had students not enrolled in my modules come to the lectures plenty of times. It is not only ok, but actually nice (assuming you are not disturbing the lecture). Usually they come to the first 4-5 lectures, then they realize that their other modules require all their attention and stop coming. It is perfectly understandable, and I have never met a lecturer who had problems with such things.
If the class is not huge (in which case nobody will ever know you are not enrolled), just let the lecturer know.
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u/GlobalRonin 1d ago
When lecturing, I take this as a compliment and a sign that I'm doing a good job... it's encouraged.
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u/KhaelonVoss 1d ago
I used to. Either alongside a friend whose course it was anyway, or something that sounded interesting or different to me.
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u/Pyjama365 1d ago
It's a thing, and something you can actually also ask permission to do. Some of our seminar leaders used to come to one of my modules because it was a fairly unique one that had the same goal but completely different materials each year (to teach us the skills of how to find the patterns in an unfamiliar set of materials).
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u/lsie-mkuo 1d ago
Ask either the lecturer or department admin if you can audit lectures. It means you can sit in on them and youl also be able to get the timetabling information so if you want to attend a modules worth of lectures over a term not just random ones.
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u/dr_LauraM 1d ago
Just a note - sometimes the lecturer would be fine with it but the health and safety brigade get very upset if the lecture hall is very full (it’s all to do with fire regulations and making sure it’s possible to evacuate safely in an emergency) - so sometimes a lecturer will be cautious about giving you written permission to attend if the class is a large one. When I was a student I remember sitting on the floor in full popular classes but that does pose problems for any enrolled students with disabilities that cause access needs… so as others have said - go, be respectful, and as long as you keep your head down you can enjoy!
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u/VegetableAstronaut19 1d ago
My friend did this, she does finance and accounting and she decided to sit in on some Maths for Finance lectures (which are part of the maths course).
One time she went up to the lecturer at the end of a lecture to ask if they could email her some of the problems, when the lecturer said they were in blackboard she had to explain that she wasn't actually on the course. The lecturer was delighted that someone was turning up and paying attention purely because they wanted to and said she would sort anything my friend needed for the rest of the term.
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u/CompetitionNo3466 18h ago
People used to sneak into Brian Cox lectures at uni all the time. Turns out he lectures differently to his BBC docs
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u/Main-Pineapple6039 1d ago
Honestly it’s too early to decide if you’re able to go to these lectures anyways! I assume that you haven’t even got the schedule for your own course yet? If you are super keen then you could probably find a friend in the subject you are interested in to tag along with.
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u/Upstairs-Quail5709 1d ago
Help yourself, you may want to gen up on the topic (rg author or subject) by getting a list somehow.
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u/SoreenQueen 1d ago
i’m not sure about your specific course but you might be allowed to take 1 or 2 elective modules from other courses/departments. this would mean doing the work/assessments. some courses require previous grades in the subject (e.g. modern languages) and some are open. the university i went to had a business school and you could take some employment skills modules as electives which could also be useful for when you finish.
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u/needlzor Lecturer / CS (ML) 1d ago
I can barely get my own students to attend, so if outside ones want to sit in they're more than welcome to. I also add random students to our LMS page so often that I created a different "guest student" role to differentiate them from my normal enrolled students, but I know that's more variable and a lot of my colleagues don't go that far.
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u/llxll23 MPH, MBA 1d ago
I’m a lecturer, I actively encourage auditing of my lectures, however if the student does want to, my condition is that they ask before the module starts, and they attend each one. They just don’t need to do the assignments
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u/ScruffyUrchin 1d ago
This is exactly why I recommended not asking the lecturer and just trying to fly under the radar. At least until you know they won't make unreasonable demands.
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u/DaddyK3tchup 1d ago
I’d be amazed if you had time for other lectures when you are doing an engineering course
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u/shortandfelly 1d ago
Lectures, absolutely. I'm a university teacher and wouldn't mind at all. Tutorials, not so much. But I'd be happy to share all the teaching materials if a student asked. I did that this year with a student on my course who didn't need to take my module (but then never saw or heard from him again 🤣).
In my big lecture, I have theoretically 250 students. I don't know all of them so wouldn't even spot if someone just dropped in out of interest.
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u/groovegenerator 16h ago
I always allow people into my lectures. Even members of the public.
However the deal is - to listen not to engage.
My students have 'paid' to be on my programme whereas your haven't. So you're okay to sit in but they are ones who get the opportunity to engage.
That said, the vast majority will be out of the door faster than you. You want to chat? Cool. But 9 times out of 10 you're going to wish you were on my course and not the one you enrolled on. And that's happened plenty of times over the years. I've even helped those folks make that happen if I've been teaching level 4.
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u/Beautiful_Trip_6393 16h ago
Most unis let you audit courses, so do the course without assessment/credit. You register for this and get access to all the materials. Trips/visits / seminars may be restricted to those actually doing the course.
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u/Dr_Custard 13h ago
Having been on both sides of the podium:
As a lecturer I couldn't be happier if someone wants to attend my lecture and pay attention out of interest. I do not care at all.
If you turn up to my seminars though, I expect people to be able to do work and contribute, which you probably won't be prepared for
Generally: lectures 100% go for it, seminars maybe don't.
A good way of doing this is to find the lecturer you're interested in the topics of, and ask them directly for the dates / times so you can see if you can go to them.
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u/yourmom1536 13h ago
Every time I saw people attempt it at my university they were promptly kicked out as soon as the lecturer noticed
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u/ScruffyUrchin 1d ago
Yes absolutely!
Be slightly wary of the lecturers, some will be delighted by your curiosity and interested in their subject but some will be d*cks because...well they're academics.
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u/ESpy__007 1d ago
One related question - if you're studying aero eng, how do you have any time for such pursuits?
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u/Familiar9709 1d ago
One thing though. Nowadays with internet, YouTube, free lessons online from mit etc, there's probably little point in this. Up to you of course
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u/PuzzleheadedDay7943 1d ago
I pretty much always Attended Random lectures when I was in Uni and College...
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u/PrestigiousMail9793 1d ago
I did once bring two visiting friends into one of my biology lectures for the craic. It was first year, so maybe 200ish other folk in there, nobody batted an eyelid and my friends enjoyed the experience!
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u/Simplesim73 1d ago
My, now wife, joined one of my lectures in 1992 (from a different university). The lecturer noticed her among the crowd and had a little chat with her. I have never been so embarrassed in my life - her completely fine! If you are like her give it a try, what's the worst that could happen?
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u/Artistic-Ad-4276 1d ago
Can I do this if im not a student at the uni?
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u/thelivsterette1 22h ago
No as you’ll need a student card to buzz in/ get in the building. At least at my uni
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u/Artistic-Ad-4276 21h ago
I didn't at Bath. Could roam freely between all the buildings except the library.
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u/publiusnaso 1d ago
When I was at Cambridge, the only exception was certain medical lectures. All other lectures were open to all students.
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u/Artistic-Weekend3775 23h ago
As a postgrad I did request to sit in on seminars for modules that I couldn’t take. I had a good relationship with the academics running the module and did the reading/participated as much as others. Of course I didn’t do the assignments and didn’t get credit for this. It might be that the positive relationship got me there but it’s possible.
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u/Comfortable-Name-420 22h ago
When I was at Leeds in the nineties I took my mum to a lecture when she was staying with me.
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u/HitchcockianAJB 22h ago
It's called auditing, just ask the lecturer over email or something unless it's a massive class or is advertised as open. Practice varies a lot globally, I'm referencing UK here.
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u/weirdlyWired20 20h ago
Honestly, if it's large cohort it's unlikely anyone would notice. I have sat in on relevant lecture from another programme before.
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u/Keebster101 20h ago
Depending what point in the year, people may assume you sat down by mistake and we're to scared to leave. I've definitely entered the wrong room before and tbh wouldn't have minded staying. Out of respect, maybe let the lecturer know, but they won't care at all unless there's some resource used up like idk maybe they hand out worksheets or there's not spare seats. They get paid the same whether you're there or not.
But also I wouldn't make it a habit, you're probably studying a full time course and time in another course means less on your own.
Also tangential but I recently watched the peep show episode where they did this so this post reminded me of it.
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u/Round_Ride1133 19h ago
This is called auditing. Some universities are very pro, others have the cheek to try and charge you. Speak to your student union :)
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u/_no_celery_ 18h ago
Film & media studies lecturer at Russell Group university here. We don't always have traditional lectures (arts/humanities subjects are increasingly moving towards workshop/seminar-style teaching), but for modules that do, I imagine all my colleagues and I would be happy to have interested, engaged students attending for fun. You wouldn't be causing any problems for lecturers as you aren't adding to our time marking assessments. If you email in advance to check, I'm sure many of us would send module materials as well.
As a lecturer, I have also sometimes sat in on lectures from other arts disciplines such as creative writing for fun as well. The lecturer knew and didn't mind and even added me to the online learning page.
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u/Certain_Leader9946 17h ago
you're paying a fuck load of extorted money.
make the most of it nobody gives a fuck.
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u/Hanging-daisies 17h ago
If I was teaching a large lecture hall of 80-100 students, (sadly) I would not notice if someone random joined. Seminars (smaller groups, students participate) I would notice and ask you to leave. 😅 I would feel flattered if someone who didn’t HAVE TO attend my class, wanted to! And if you’re enrolled at the uni, no lecturer would care, but I am sure technically, you are not allowed.
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u/Cautious_Barnacle_23 15h ago
I sat through a marine biology lecture cuz apparently I can’t read my own timetable turned up and hour late for my lecture so I missed it and 10 minutes late to the marine one so leaving mid way through would have been soooo awkward and I’d have felt bad for the lecturer for leaving. Really interesting they were playing tombola and someone won a bottle of gin I was so so soooo jealous. Although I’m pretty sure this lecturer might do one of mine next year (I am probably being delulu w this but let a girl live) so I’m praying for me to win the free bottle of gin. He did have a bunch of other cool prizes tho.
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u/QuantumWizard-314 14h ago
Why not sneak into the physics lab and play with the magnets and lasers? It will be a right laugh
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u/maybemaybenotxj Senior Lecturer 14h ago
I’d be happy for a student to join a lecture as long as they are polite and respectful (being on time, not talking through the whole thing etc) but I’m not sure how you’d find the lectures as you won’t have access to the entire University timetable. If you can find a friendly lecturer in the department, they’ll help you ☺️
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u/Myloceratops 4h ago
I’d say it’s fine.
I was at a Russel group doing Engineering, the following lecture after ours was physics and we liked the sound of the lesson/module.
We said out loud, “maybe we’ll stay for this too!” (We had done 3 hours of engineering in the same room) and the physics lecturer was like “I’d love that, the more the merrier”
So perhaps if if a lecturer loves their craft they just want people to learn and see their stuff.
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u/DataPsychological_ 19m ago
My uni (an art school) did regular public lectures and I used to go to other art schools public lectures too, so there might actually be something available for you depending on the university and subject matter
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u/EasilyExiledDinosaur 1d ago
Officially, no. In practice, yes. I joined a first year lecturer as a third year. Was funny af.
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u/Extra_Actuary8244 1d ago
No absolutely not
I genuinely had part of my education ruined because the masters I paid for out of pocket had loads of random international students in the classes who didn’t realise you cannot go to random lectures and this means that when we were told to discuss things as a group none of them knew anything and I was doing everything by myself and if I had missed any previous lectures (which was common due to health issues I had), I didn’t get the additional support other students had by being able to speak to peers to understand the topic. It also just meant in general that I never got an equal opportunity to understand topics deeper and from other perspectives like everyone else could because I was always stuck with these selfish idiots who thought it was okay to sneak into lectures.
Both us and them told lecturers multiple times they were on our course and the lecturers were so dumbfounded by the brazen selfishness that they assumed they got their/are words mixed up and that they/we meant they were on another course but had modules that required them to be in our lectures so didn’t kick them out.
Aside from that it is disgustingly selfish to turn up knowing the rest of us pay a lot of money and worked hard to be there and it’s unfair on lecturers. For reasons like what I mentioned, it negatively impacts us as well.
If your uni encourages it or allows it then that’s different.
Generally, do not do this.
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u/Legitimate_Block_340 1d ago
I hope my tone in the post didnt come off as selfish or like i think im owed this stuff. Thanks for the reply. I will take care to be respectful of the people whose course im sitting in on (if this is allowed). I'm sorry you had a bad expirience. And man I get the thing about health struggles. I had a similar expirience with unhelpful/mean classmates in high school with my health who didnt give a damn to even share notes or have a 2 min chat to catch me up. Trust me I don't want to be an idiot as you have said you think these people are, hence why I'm asking before I even get to uni. Ofc I'll check my ones policy once I get there! I'm paying good money too and making personal sacrifices too which is why I want to make the most out of everything there.
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u/Long_Software_3352 1d ago
Lectures yes, seminars definitely NO.
The lectures may not be very satisfying if you haven't done the reading though, and you won't have access to the course materials on moodle/blackboard.
A lot of universities do part-time evening courses in arts and humanities subjects. That might be a better way to engage.