School of English MA Handbook
2015-2016
Contents
Director’s Welcome
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Contact and Welfare Information:
Who’s Who in the School of English
Where to go for information
Who can I talk to?
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6
Student Facilities
8
Frequently asked questions
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Funding opportunities
14
Information for Overseas Students
15
Health and Safety
16
2
From Dr Pam Thurschwell, Director of Doctoral Studies for the School of
English.
Welcome to the School of English and congratulations on obtaining a place
to study on one of our MA courses.
We are a large and diverse School, supporting a rich variety of taught programmes alongside
doctoral and post-doctoral research. As members of the School, your contribution is vital to the
spirit of critical inquiry at the heart of the Sussex tradition. We look forward to working with you,
and to helping you throughout your graduate career.
The School of English is a cosmopolitan community, with an international reputation for
research in the humanities and a culture driven by interdisciplinary problem-solving. The School
believes that a trained critical imagination - one that grasps the importance of the analytic and
the evocative, the poetic and the explanatory, the visual and the verbal - is essential to
understand and to re-envision a world increasingly shaped by the speed of technological
innovation and unprecedented global change.
To this end, the School is home to a number of interdisciplinary initiatives that foster intellectual
collaboration and experimentation. We hope that you will take the opportunity to become
involved in the various events supported by the School and to develop your own contribution to
the graduate culture at Sussex.
There will be many opportunities throughout the year for students and faculty to discuss their
research in different forums (research colloquia, reading groups, conferences). The School puts
great emphasis on encouraging student initiatives, and we will facilitate student-led events
wherever possible – look out for information about such events in your e-mail inbox and the
graduate student notice boards in Arts B.
We very much look forward to working with your throughout your time at Sussex.
Pam Thurschwell
September 2015
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Contact and Welfare Information
Who’s Who in the School of English
Professor Tom Healy is the Head of School
Internal Extension 8099
Arts B255
Email: t.f.healy@sussex.ac.uk
Dr Pam Thurschwell is the Director of Doctoral Studies
Internal Extension 8721
Arts B222
Email: p.thurschwell@sussex.ac.uk
Professor Margaret Healy is the Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange
Internal Extension 8992
Arts B233
Email: m.j.healy@sussex.ac.uk
Dr Lynne Murphy is the Director of Teaching and Learning
Internal Extension 8844
Arts B348
Email: m.l.murphy@sussex.ac.uk
Dr Catherine Packham is the Director of Student Support
Internal Extension 3953
Arts B244
Email: c.m.packham@sussex.ac.uk
Liz Walker is the MA Course Coordinator
Internal Extension 8468
Arts B133
Email: e.j.walker@sussex.ac.uk
Where do I go for Information?
The English School Office
The English School Office is located in Arts B133 on the ground floor of the Arts B Building and
the staff there are happy to help you with any queries you may have. Liz Walker is the main
person who deals with MA courses, but if she’s not there please feel free to ask another
member of staff for help. The office is open 9.00am–5.00pm Monday to Friday. The office
phone number is (01273) 877303, or you can contact Liz direct on (01273) 678468, or e-mail
her at e.j.walker@sussex.ac.uk.
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Email
You will be registered for an email account here at the University of Sussex, and it is important
that you check this account daily during the week in term times, as most communication is done
by email. University emails will automatically be sent to your University account rather than
other personal accounts, such as Hotmail.
The Web
The School of English website has lots of useful information including faculty contact details,
module and course information and up-to-date news and events in the School. Information for
MA students can be found at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/internal/forstudents/pginformation
Sussex Direct
When you arrive you will also be registered to Sussex Direct, which is your personalised online
gateway to university information. The system will provide you with your study timetable
information, as well as help you track your marks, assessment deadlines, exams timetable and
attendance. Behind the scenes, Sussex Direct helps your tutors and Student Advisers, to
support your studies.
You will also be able to access your library account and personal information pages, including;
contact, financial, printing and training course information.
Study Direct
You will also be registered to Study Direct, which has a range of on-line academic resources to
help you with your studies. Most tutors of MA modules use Study Direct to provide students with
information for their modules. There is also a Study Direct site called School of English
Resources for MA Students which you will automatically be subscribed to, where you will find
course handbooks and other study resources.
You will find the links to Sussex Direct and Study Direct at www.sussex.ac.uk (via the student
internal link).
Notice boards
Some key information may be displayed on the postgraduate notice board in the lobby area of
the Arts B Building (outside the English School Office) in the corner next to the door. It’s
important that you familiarise yourself with the location of this notice board and check it
regularly.
Pigeon-Holes
Postgraduate pigeon-holes for students in the School of English are located on level 2 of the
Arts B building, opposite room B237, and these should be checked regularly.
Examination and Assessment Regulations Handbook
Detailed information about examination regulations can be found in the Examination and
Assessment Regulations Handbook, which is published on-line by the university’s Academic
Development and Quality Enhancement office:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment
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Who can I talk to?
Your course convenor or module tutor
If your work is significantly interrupted by non-academic problems, make sure your MA
Convenor and/or Supervisor knows so that they can suggest how this should be dealt with
formally. Please also let Liz Walker know at e.j.walker@sussex.ac.uk
Student Life Centre
The Student Life Centre is based on the ground floor of Chichester 1, and is open every
weekday 9am-5pm. The Student Life Team are there to help with the following issues:
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Personal Concerns
Student Funding: Access to Learning Fund, all scholarships, bursaries and Vice
Chancellors loans.
Student Mentoring
Information about taking a temporary break (temporary withdrawal) or withdrawing from
the university.
Student Complaints
Student Discipline
Submission of mitigating evidence
Help with understanding University procedures
Specialist financial advice services are provided by the Student Union Advice and
Representation Centre.
You can contact the Student Life Centre by: telephoning 01273 876767; emailing
studentlifecentre@sussex.ac.uk ; or texting ‘slcentre’ to 88020.
Further details about the Centre are available at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre
School Administrator
If you find that you are getting nowhere with trying to solve your problem or have a complaint to
make please contact the English School Administrator, Emma Carlyle, e.l.carlyle@sussex.ac.uk
office B264.
Student Representatives and the School Student Experience Group
The Student Representative Scheme is run jointly by the Students Union (USSU) and the
University. Student reps provide an essential link between students, the University and the
Students' Union. Because reps are themselves students, fellow students are happy to seek
assistance from them when they have concerns or opinions about their education and
experience at the University.
Each student cohort year elects both subject area reps and School level reps. Subject area reps
liaise with and represent students at local level. School level reps will also be elected to take
forward relevant issues to School and University level committees. All reps meet together once
a term at the School Student Experience Group to exchange information and ideas.
Further information on the student representation scheme including voting dates can be found
at www.studentreps.co.uk
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The University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU)
The Students’ Union offers a wealth of resources to help you during your time at Sussex, as
well as numerous clubs and societies that cater for your extra-curricular interests. The Union’s
Student Advice Centre offers free, confidential advice on a range of academic and non
academic issues, including housing, finance, counselling and sexual health. The USSU are
located in Falmer House and their website can be found at www.ussu.info.
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Student Facilities
Graduate Workspace
We have a very pleasant work area in the Larry Trask library, Arts B317 which can be used by
MA students. You’ll find desks and sofas in this room, so it’s a good space to relax as well as
work. To access this space you need to have a security keycode, and Liz Walker (B133) can
provide you with this.
There is a social space in Arts B274 which also has two small computer pool rooms which can
be used by all postgraduates in the School of English, and also by faculty and staff.
Careers Support
The Careers and Employability Centre is located in The Library and is there to help you with all
aspects of career development and employment, both during your studies and after you have
graduated. They can help with finding a part time job during your studies or in the vacation,
putting together a CV, finding work experience, information about postgraduate positions, and a
range of other career related areas. They have a very informative website:
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers.
Taught postgraduate students at Sussex are offered a range of support with their career
development. By engaging in our events you can:
 learn more about types of work and what makes work meaningful
 make contacts with industry representatives and Sussex Alumni
 develop skills and attitudes sought by various employers
 learn to be more successful in job applications and other selection processes
 review your career progression and develop strategies for your future
Events
Check out the events that we run for taught postgraduates.
Information & Advice
You are likely to have powerful personal and academic motivations to study at postgraduate
level and the Careers and Employability Centre can help support your progression from here.
Individual careers consultations are available every week day and you can talk to an adviser
about your needs whatever they are.
More than 300 employers come onto campus every year through the Careers and Employability
Centre. Make sure you meet them.
Computing Facilities
IT Services offers a variety of courses on a range of software programmes at different levels of
ability at various points across the academic year. You can register for these by contacting IT
Services directly. Apart from the small cluster of computers in the School, computing facilities
are available in various locations across campus. For details please see the IT Services booklet
(or on-line at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/USCS/). There is an on-line Help system, and a Help
Desk open each weekday, telephone 01273 678090. If you experience minor technical
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problems you can phone the Help Desk or email help@sussex.ac.uk. For more information see
the on-line information (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/student).
Conferences and Learned Societies
We warmly encourage research students to offer papers at conferences; this is good
experience, and you get feedback on your work and get to meet others with similar and related
interests. Your Supervisor should be able to advise on suitable ones, and they are frequently
advertised on the School website. If you are not ready to offer a paper, it can still be well worth
attending. Some conferences, in particular those run by Learned Societies, are regular annual
events, while others are one-off occasions. The School of English might be able to provide
some financial support to attend conferences at which you are presenting a paper.
There are some valuable courses funded by ESRC which are free or subsidised, often
advertised on the School of English website; some conferences, especially those run by larger
Learned Societies, offer bursaries for students and are likely to require application well in
advance. Despite what its information leaflet says, the British Academy overseas conference
travel grants are sometimes available to advanced graduate students. Look out for other such
opportunities.
You might also think about joining a learned society. A number of them arrange special
activities (and special subscription rates) for graduate students, and these can be very valuable
both for the activities and for the opportunity to meet graduate students from elsewhere with
related interests.
There are many other subject specific and interdisciplinary Learned Societies, so ask your MA
Convenor for relevant details. These societies provide many activities, services and
publications, and often have cut-price rates for students.
Library
The University of Sussex Library has a wide range of resources and support services, and you
will find it helpful to explore these as early as possible. The library’s introductory tours and dropins are recommended as they help you familiarize yourself with the way the library works. The
best way to find information about the library, its services, facilities and resources is to visit the
library website at:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/
For key resources in your particular subject click on ‘Subject Resources’ and select your
subject. All the key resources are listed in the order of relevance. An increasing number of
resources are now available from off-campus. There are the two designated librarians with
special responsibility for the Humanities.
Journals are increasingly available electronically and in full text. Click on ‘Electronic Journals’
or the library’s home page for access to journal collections, and journals by individual title.
There are a number of help desks in the library if you encounter difficulty with any of the
resources and services on offer. For general enquiries, go to the Enquiries/Reception desk at
the library entrance. For help with research and advanced enquiries, see staff on the
Enquiries/Helpdesk on the first floor.
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Sussex Centre for Language Studies
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/languages
The Sussex Centre for Language Studies offers English as a foreign language and academic
English language support. It can also offer tuition not just in the usual range of European
languages, but in more distant languages, which you might need for your fieldwork or library
research. The facilities of the Sussex Centre for Language Studies (located in Arts A) are open
to everyone though there are some charges for some of its services. Please enquire at the
Institute for details (internal tel: 01273 678006 or on-line).
Alumni Events
During the Spring and Summer terms distinguished Sussex alumni will be providing Master
Classes to students with advice on how to build careers in a number of popular areas. Master
Classes will cover: International Development and Security; Media, Publishing and Writing;
Government, Politics and the Civil Service; Law; Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship;
Science.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the University’s term dates?
2015-16
Arrival Weekend
Freshers' induction
New Undergraduates attend
Autumn Term#
Teaching induction
Postgraduate induction day
Teaching starts
Teaching finishes
Christmas vacation
Attendance only if required*
Private study period
Mid-year assessment period
Attendance only if required*
starts
Mid-year assessment period
Attendance only if required*
ends
Inter-session week
Teaching starts
Teaching finishes
Winter Graduation
Easter teaching break and Spring Vacation
Private study period
Attendance only if required*
Spring Term#
Year-end assessment period
starts
Summer Term#
Year-end assessment period
ends
Summer vacation
Summer Graduation
Attendance only if required
Resit period
Sat 12 Sep 2015
Mon 14 Sep 2015
Thur 17 Sep 2015
Fri 18 Sep 2015
Mon 21 Sep 2015
Fri 11 Dec 2015
Sat 12 Dec 2015 – Sun 03 Jan
2016
Mon 04 Jan - Wed 06 Jan 2016
Thu 07 Jan 2016
Fri 22 Jan 2016
Sat 23 - Sun 31 Jan 2016
Mon 01 Feb 2016
Fri 06 May 2016
Tue 19 - Fri 22 Jan 2016
Sat 19 Mar – Sun 03 Apr 2016
Mon 09 - Wed 11 May 2016
Thur 12 May 2016
Fri 10 Jun 2016
Sat 11 Jun 2016
Mon 18 - Fri 22 July 2016
Late August - early Sep: tbc
# Term dates for all students:- UG, PGT and PGR
* Students will need to attend if they have submission of assessments due, and should consult
their assessment information on Sussex Direct.
Where can I see my timetable?
On Sussex Direct (which you are automatically registered to when you are registered at the
university); go to your Study page and click on Study Timetable.
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What should I do if I’m ill or unable to attend classes?
If you are ill or cannot attend classes for any other reason you should tell the English School
Office (01273 877303), who will inform your tutors. If you find that ill health or other
circumstances are affecting your studies we strongly recommend you drop into the Student Life
Centre and speak to one of the team.
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre
Who can I talk to if I am experiencing difficulties?
If you are having problems with a particular course we would recommend talking to your module
tutor in the first instance. If you are experiencing more general academic problems or issues
with your degree you should see your course convenor. For help and advice with personal and
welfare issues you can talk to a member of the Student Life Centre team, based on the ground
floor of Chichester 1.
What happens if I can’t hand my work in due to illness/other circumstances?
If you believe you have a good reason why you cannot hand in work you should contact the
Student Life Centre (based on the ground floor of Chichester 1) with regard to submitting
mitigating evidence. The form can be found on your Sussex Direct Study Page, and you should
complete this and print the cover sheet, which you must submit to the School Office together
with evidence of your impairment such as a doctor’s certificate. This also applies if you miss a
significant number of classes due to mitigating circumstances. Assessed work should be
submitted to the School office, either before or after handing in the mitigating evidence form.
Where and when do I hand in my work?
Formally assessed work should be handed in to the English School Office (Arts B133), or, if you
are taking a module not run by the School of English, to the School Office of the School that
runs the course in question.
The following points should be noted regarding presentation:
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two copies, with one blue and one green coversheet (available in lobby outside School
Office B133)
word-processed, double spaced
maximum length 5000 words (word count should be stated on cover sheet) – you may be
penalised for excessive length
you should use your candidate number (printed on your student card) NOT your name,
on the cover sheet
make sure you have included references and bibliography
Deadlines for Autumn and Spring term papers and dissertation will be notified in due course on
the School of English website
at:http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/internal/forstudents/pginformation/pgsubmission
They can also be found on your Study Page on Sussex Direct, on the Timetable tab.
Where do I hand in work when it’s late?
Late work will normally be handed in to the English School Office. Please note that you can only
hand in work up to seven days after the submission deadline, and that work submitted late will
be penalised. Details about lateness penalties can be found on the School of English website
at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/english/internal/forstudents/pginformation/pgsubmission
Where can I see my feedback on marked work?
Feedback for marked work will be made available on Sussex Direct.
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Where can I see my marks?
Your marks and feedback can be viewed on Sussex Direct.
Where do I get a photocopy card from, and where is the nearest photocopier?
You can purchase a photocopy card (and recharge it) in the Library. The nearest photocopiers
and printers are in the Library.
Where is the nearest computer cluster?
There is a computer cluster in the Library, and in Shawcross Building.
Where do I update my contact details?
If your contact details change you should update them on your Sussex Direct account.
Where can I find information about modules?
Information about modules can be found on Sussex Direct, including the modes of assessment,
weightings and credit details.
What information is available via Sussex Direct?
The system provides you with your study timetable information, as well as help you track your
marks, assessment deadlines, exams timetable and attendance. Behind the scenes, Sussex
Direct helps your tutors and the Student Life Centre teams to support your studies.
You can also your library account and personal information pages, including; contact, financial,
printing and training course information.
You will find the link to Sussex Direct and Study Direct at www.sussex.ac.uk (via the student
internal link).
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Funding Opportunities
Information is most readily available on the University website. For University information on
bursaries and scholarships, follow the link:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/funding/pg
Access to Learning Fund
The University has an Access to Learning Fund, which you can apply to if you encounter
financial difficulty during your programme of study. For further information and an application
form please contact the School of English Student Advisors. The Student Advice Centre,
located in Falmer House, is also a good source of information and advice if you are in financial
difficulties. They can also help you complete the Access to Learning Fund application form.
School of English Financial Assistance
If you want to go to a conference, a special library or archive, or to take a short language course
and do not have access to alternative sources of funding, the School of English can sometimes
make a contribution towards such expenses. If you wish to apply for financial assistance,
please email the Programme Coordinator for information on the application procedures. Please
note that each request is dealt with on an individual basis – that is, there is not an amount of
money allocated to each student either by the School or the AHRC.
Grants, Expenses, Funding Bodies
Each funding body has its own rules for studentships. If you are in receipt of a student grant,
make sure you read correspondence carefully and take care to conform to their rules if you
want to get maximum benefit from what they can offer. (For instance, if they say you must
submit receipts, even for research expenses already approved, you may not get the money if
you do not provide receipts. Make sure in advance that you understand exactly what they
need.) You may, for instance, be able to get extra research expenses from them, but only if you
apply in the right way at the right time. Some studentships will pay for attendance at appropriate
courses or conferences; check the details of yours, with attention to the small print, since you
may have to apply well in advance, or they may only fund one conference.
Note that some grants or studentships are available which start after your first year of graduate
work. Overseas students are eligible for the (very competitive) ‘ORSAS’ awards for the
difference between the home and overseas fees; information is available from the Student
Progress and Assessment Office, Sussex House.
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Overseas Students
Finding things out
If you find that the system at Sussex is strange to you, that you do not understand what is
expected please ask! It is not always easy to know what people need to be told about,
especially when they come here from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences, but
we aim to assist you. Please talk to Margaret Reynolds or Jenny Bourne Taylor if you want
advice/help. The International and Study Abroad Office not only arranges the introductory
orientation programme for overseas students, but can also give advice at later stages. You can
visit its Website at:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/International/
Academic and English Language Support
https://studydirect.sussex.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1397
There are free weekly seminars, starting in the third week of term, on academic writing and
study skills for overseas postgraduates who come from academic systems with somewhat
different customs; you need to register for these – go to the Sussex Language Institute EFL
Executive Officer, Dan Quin, in room Arts A67. That is also where you should go if English is
not your first language and you would find it useful to improve it by further tuition; there are
special ‘English for academic purposes’ courses. You are entitled to some free English
language support during your first year of study.
National Societies
Some of the Students’ Union societies might be of special interest to you. You can find a
definitive list of them at the Student Union Website:
http://www.ussu.info/
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Health and Safety
For any emergency, incident or accident call the Emergency hotline on extension 3333
(from a mobile or external line call (01273) 873333).
Do not dial 999 as emergency services may get lost on campus. Security can call them and
guide them in.
The Emergency Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, all year round.
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE: NEVER PUT YOURSELF AT RISK.
Operate the nearest emergency call point then call the Emergency Hotline from a place or
safety. The Security Office will call the Fire Brigade.
Leave the building by the nearest exit, and go to your local building control point. Do not stop to
collect personal belongings. Do not use the lifts.
IF YOU HEAR THE ALARM:
Leave the building by the nearest exit.
Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Go to the local building assembly point.
Personal fire alarm pagers are available from the Student Support Unit for students with hearing
impairments.
You must never go back into the building until the Fire Brigade, or a member of Security, or the
Emergency Team say it is safe to do so.
IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY SET THE FIRE ALARM OFF: Call the Emergency Hotline
IMMEDIATELY on extension 3333.
Accidents
All accidents must be reported and recorded – please report to the School of English office or
Porters’ Lodge (Arts B).
First Aid
First Aid boxes are located around the buildings. If you need help please report to the School
Office in Arts A or Porters’ Lodge (Arts B).
Fire Evacuation
You must leave the building as soon as the fire alarm sounds. Fire Wardens will ensure that all
rooms are vacated. The Muster Point for Arts A is on the grass beyond the round pond and for
Arts B/EDB on the lawn between the buildings.
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