Academic Development and Quality Enhancement Office
Sussex Choice
Frequently asked questions
A
Overview
1.
What is Sussex Choice?
Sussex Choice is the term used by the University to communicate to prospective
undergraduates how they can personalise the structure and content of their single honours
University of Sussex degree. The broad rationale for Sussex Choice is to provide flexibility in
the range of subjects students may study while securing the academic integrity of the core
discipline. Broadening student choice enriches the student learning experience and
enhances employability enabling Sussex graduates to achieve their academic and career
aims.
Sussex Choice comprises four main elements:




Elective modules
Pathways
Study Abroad
Placements
The Sussex Choice suite of options is explicitly designed to meet student aspirations and to
support the creation of an innovative and distinctive curriculum. The design is governed by
the University of Sussex Academic Framework, based on UK quality standards.
2.
What is the Academic Framework?
The University of Sussex Academic Framework sets out the University’s criteria and rules for
curriculum design, credit, level, qualifications and award titles. The Academic Framework is
based on UK quality standards and aligned to guidance from the Quality Assurance Agency
(QAA).
The implementation of the Academic Framework is managed by the Academic Development
and Quality Enhancement Office, Academic Registry, under the ultimate authority of the
University Teaching and Learning Committee on behalf of Senate.
B
Electives
3.
What are Elective modules?
Elective modules allow single honours students to study a subject outside of their main
discipline within and beyond their home School. These modules may be at level 3, 4, 5, or 6
of the Academic Framework and will always have a credit rating of 15 credit points per
module. A distinguishing feature of year 1 electives is that they are timetabled in what is
known as the ‘elective tube’ – a part of the timetable which has been created to minimise
teaching timetable clashes for new students who make their choices after registration. Year
2 and 3 Elective modules are timetabled in the usual manner as part of the annual cycle.
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Elective modules are different from Option modules; the latter are selected by students on
both single and joint honours awards from a group of modules linked to a specific degree
course. Options are normally delivered within a single School.
4.
Which students can take an Elective module?
Elective modules are available to all students on single honours courses, with the following
exception:

Where curriculum content requirements for the core discipline mean that it is
not possible to make space for an elective within the overall diet of 120 credits
per year. This typically applies where there are professional body
requirements, for example in Law or in some Science subjects.
Joint honours students are not included in the Electives offering because there is insufficient
capacity within the overall diet of 120 credits per year for the core curriculum requirements of
the two joint disciplines to be delivered. In addition, by selecting a joint honours degree,
students have already exercised choice about the content and structure of their degree.
5.
How do students find out what Electives are available?
All Electives are available for all single honours courses approved by the School for inclusion
in the scheme. Electives are listed on the central course database and viewable to
applicants and students in the online prospectus.
Where a new course is approved for advertising but has not yet been validated, module
information – including information about electives - is not published until after validation.
Once new single honours students are registered, they are guided and prompted by the
online system to choose from a list of available Elective modules (see question 7).
6.
Where can students get advice about the Electives available to them?
School Offices can provide advice to students about eligibility for Electives, particularly
where professional body requirements preclude participation in Elective modules.
Academic advisors will be able to guide students in making decisions about which Electives
are right for them from an academic perspective.
7.
What are the timescales and processes for selection of Electives by students?
The process for students to choose electives is driven by the timetabling system, which
replaces previous manual processes. New students select their modules including Electives
online as part of online registration. The system for selecting modules opens for continuing
students each April.
The system guides and prompts students in making their selections. Schools also
communicate with students in advance of the online system becoming available. Schools
chase students who are slow to respond. Schools also monitor take up on a daily basis as it
underpins work load management for the coming academic session.
New students have three weeks to finalise decisions. Elective choices cannot normally be
changed after the deadline has passed, although some adjustments may be permitted at
School level where there are spaces available.
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8.
How are Electives reflected in degree titles for graduating students?
Electives are only reflected in the degree title if they are taken as part of an approved
pathway (see question 15).
C
Pathways
9.
What is a Pathway?
A Pathway is an approved, academically-coherent combination of modules, which students
study across either the first two years (60 credits) of their degree or across all three years
(90 credits). The rationale for Pathways is to enable students to study a second subject
outside of their main discipline in a structured manner.
10.
What types of Pathway are there?
There are several types of Pathway, as follows.
60 credit Pathway
Alongside their main subject, students study a Pathway
consisting of 60 credits overall; 30 credits are studied
in both the first and second stages of the degree.
90 credit / Minor Pathway
Alongside their main subject, students study a Pathway
consisting of 90 credits, with 30 credits studied at each
stage.
In this model, the main element of the degree consists of
270 credits with a minimum of 90 credits at Level 6. The
90 credit / Minor component consists of a coherent
element of study to the value of 90 credits, breaking down
into 30 credits of study per year up to level 6. 30 credits of
the minor component must be taken at level 6.
Language Pathway
The Language Pathway is a variant of the 60 credit
Pathway.
The Academic Framework permits the delivery of two
parallel Language Pathways, namely intermediate (30
credits each at level 3 & 4) and advanced (30 credits
each at level 4 & 5). This arrangement recognises the
range of abilities of students when studying a new
language.
In addition, 60 credit pathways can be further categorised as either type 1 or type 2.
Type 1
60 credit (4x15) coherent Pathway open to all students on
courses where Pathways are possible (see question 11
below)
Type 2
60 credit (4x15) coherent Pathway with approved prerequisites and/or exclusions as determined by the host
School. This type should be employed where the School
is targeting a particular cohort by course of study.
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This also prevents absurd combinations such as
American Studies with American Studies.
11.
Which students can take a Pathway?
Pathways are available to all students on single honours courses, with the following
exception:

Where curriculum content requirements for the main discipline mean that it is
not possible to make space for a Pathway within the overall diet of 120 credits
per year. This typically applies where there are professional body
requirements, for example in Law and Science subjects.
Joint honours students cannot take Pathways because this would not leave sufficient
capacity within the overall diet of 120 credits per year for the core curriculum requirements of
the two joint disciplines to be delivered. In addition, by selecting a joint honours degree,
students have already chosen an interdisciplinary route.
12.
How do students find out what Pathways are available?
A full list of Pathways is published for internal use on the Academic Development and
Quality Enhancement Office website. A list of Pathways is accessible to applicants from the
online prospectus on the website.
In order to determine whether a particular Pathway is available to particular course, students
will need to be mindful of the exceptions above and take advice from their School Office.
Once students are registered, they are guided and prompted by the online system to choose
from a list of available elective modules (see question 14). Those modules which are part of
a Pathway are indicated as such and details of other modules in the Pathway can be
accessed.
13.
Where can students get advice about the Pathways available to them?
School Offices can provide advice to students about eligibility for taking a Pathway,
particularly where professional body requirements preclude this.
Academic advisors will be able to guide students in making decisions about which Pathway
is right for them from an academic perspective.
14.
What are the timescales and processes for selection of Pathways by students?
The process for students to choose Electives is driven by the timetabling system, which
replaces previous manual processes. New students select their modules including Electives
online as part of online registration. The system for selecting modules opens for continuing
students each April.
The system guides and prompts students in making their decisions. Schools also
communicate with students in advance of the online system becoming available. Schools
chase students who are slow to respond and monitor take up on a daily basis as it underpins
workload management for the coming academic session.
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New students have three weeks to finalise decisions. Elective choices cannot normally be
changed after the deadline has passed, although some adjustments may be permitted at
School level where there are spaces available.
Students cannot begin a pathway in year 2, only in year 1.
15.
How are Pathways are reflected in degree titles for graduating students?
Pathways are reflected in the degree title as follows.
Successful completion of a 60 Award title will use the formula: ‘x with (pathway name)
credit Pathway
studies’
E.g. BA (Hons) History with Education Studies
Successful completion of a 90 Award title will use the formula: ‘x with (pathway name)’
credit Pathway
E.g. BA (Hons) History with Education
Language Pathways
D
Study Abroad
16.
What is Study Abroad?
The Subject title for a 90 credit pathway will be
determined by the School, within the bounds of the
Academic Framework and expected normal practice, as
well as within the discipline.
The award certificate shall be recorded as “x with
proficiency in ‘language’ (intermediate)” where the
language has been taken at levels 3 and 4 and “x with
proficiency in ‘language’ (advanced)” where the
language has been taken at levels 4 and 5. The allocation
to intermediate or advanced level is determined following
assessment of the student by Sussex Centre for
Language Studies (SCLS).
The Academic Framework includes three main categories for Study Abroad.
Voluntary Study Abroad Year
Students may incorporate a voluntary year abroad into an
existing 3/4 stage course (Bachelors or Integrated
Masters Degree respectively).
This will be an additional year of study equivalent to 120
credits leading to a course duration of 4/5 stages
respectively.
Integrated Study Year Abroad
The year abroad is normally taken between the second
and third stages of study.
Some courses (American Studies and Languages) have
an integrated Study Abroad Year embedded into a 4
stage course structure. A Study Abroad Year integrated
into the course structure requires that the University
guarantees all students access to a Study Abroad Year.
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Students cannot normally undertake both a Study Abroad
and a Placement Year (regardless of whether the Study
Abroad Year is integrated into a 4 stage course or
voluntary).
Study Abroad Term
17.
Incorporated within a 3 or 4 stage (360/480 credit) degree
course to broaden student learning. Permissible in Term 1
and Term 2 as long as the curriculum has been explicitly
approved to enable this either at School level or as an
approved route for an individual. The one term
placement/study abroad requires approval and is not
open to all students.
Which students can study abroad?
All students on a 3 stage undergraduate or 4 stage integrated Masters course can apply to
undertake a Voluntary Study Abroad Year, with the exception of those whose course already
includes an Integrated Study Abroad Year.
Students can also apply to spend a term abroad, providing that the curriculum has been
approved to enable this, either for all students on a particular course, or by approval of a
variation for an individual student.
18.
How do students find out about study abroad options and what are the
timescales involved?
A Voluntary Study Abroad Year is not guaranteed but the University will support students via
the Sussex Abroad Office in identifying/gaining access to a Study Abroad Year. Students
wishing to access a Voluntary Study Abroad Year once on a course shall register with the
Sussex Abroad Office normally by Term 2 of Stage 1.
19.
How is Study Abroad reflected in degree titles for graduating students?
When taken and passed the Voluntary/Integrated Study Abroad Year shall be recognised on
the degree certificate in the format – Degree title (with Study Abroad Year).
Successful completion of a Study Abroad Term will be noted on the students’ transcript, but
not included in the degree title.
E
Placements
20.
What Placement options does the University offer for students?
Placement Year (voluntary)
Placement Term
Students may incorporate a Voluntary Placement Year
into an existing 3/4 stage course (Bachelors or Integrated
Masters Degree respectively).
This will be an additional year of study equivalent to 120
credits leading to a course duration of 4/5 stages
respectively.
Incorporated within a 3 or 4--stage (360/480 credit)
degree course to broaden student learning. Permissible in
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Term 1 and Term 2 as long as the curriculum has been
explicitly approved to enable this either at School level or
as an approved route for an individual. The one term
placement/study abroad requires approval and is not
open to all students.
21.
How can students find out about Placement opportunities and how is the
process managed?
A Voluntary Placement Year is not guaranteed but the University will support students via
the Placement Preparation Programme in identifying / gaining access to a Placement Year.
For further information see:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/gettingexperience/placements
22.
How are Placements reflected in degree titles for graduating students?
When taken and passed the Placement Year shall be recognised on the degree certificate in
the format – Degree title (with Professional Placement Year).
Successful completion of a Placement Term will be noted on the students’ transcript, but not
included in the degree title.
F
Examination and assessment
23.
What happens when students fail Electives, Pathways, Study Abroad or
Placements?
All elements of Sussex Choice are subject to the regulations set out in the examination and
assessment handbook. Where students fail, opportunities to retrieve the failure will available.
Individual students will be guided by Schools and Academic Advisors in relation to their
options following progression and award boards.
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