ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a comparison of independent study as it has been developed in two universities and identifies common aspects and academic issues which are addressed in different ways. Differences between institutions in the approach to independent study emerge in relation to the resolution of a number of academic issues: the scope of the study, the criteria used are, assessment, organization and supervision. One of the first issues faced was that of deciding which areas/subjects were considered suitable for independent study. In both institutions, independent study could include dissertations, project work, either laboratory-based or field survey work and exhibitions. It requires the improvement of time management skills by paying explicit attention to the plan of work by students being responsible for their own progress. A very strong emphasis is placed on the formation of criteria for assessments as unique to the project in hand and linked to the aims and objectives of the project.
