Postgraduate Prospectus 2008

Terms and conditions

Enrolment conditions

All students are required as a condition of enrolment to pay all fees due from them to the University, and to abide by, and to submit to, the requirements of the University’s Charter, Statutes [doc 219K], Ordinances and Regulations [pdf], as amended from time to time.

Withdrawal or variation of programmes

The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver programmes and courses in accordance with the descriptions available at the time of application (the most up-to-date descriptions are on the University website). However, the University keeps its programmes under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of programmes or courses described in this prospectus.

The University is largely dependent upon public and charitable funds, which it has to manage in a way that is efficient and cost effective, in order to provide a diverse range of programmes and courses to a large number of students. Many graduate courses and programmes are also dependent upon the designation of an appropriate supervisor or tutor.

The University therefore reserves the right, where it reasonably considers that such action is necessary, to withdraw programmes of study, or to make variations to the content or method of delivery of programmes. Such circumstances would include situations where enrolments are not at a viable level or the fact that expert research supervision becomes unavailable.

Prior to registration, should the University withdraw a programme for which you have accepted an offer, you may be able to transfer to a suitable alternative programme or research topic (for which you are qualified). If you are not able to transfer to another programme, there will be no liability for tuition fees and any deposits paid will be refunded to you.

Once you have registered, should the University take the exceptional step of withdrawing or substantially varying your programme then the University shall explore with you the possibilities for a suitable alternative programme (for which you are qualified). If a suitable alternative programme is not available or acceptable to you, the University may make an appropriate refund of tuition fees.

The University welcomes comments on its programmes and courses from students’ parents and sponsors. However, the University’s contracts with its students do not confer rights on third parties for the purposes of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

Distance contracts regulations

The admissions process falls under legislation which regulates ‘contracts formed at a distance’. The contract that is created when you accept an offer is binding on the University (ie the University must admit you if you satisfy the conditions specified). After accepting an offer, you can withdraw at any time up to enrolment without penalty, except on programmes where a deposit is payable – refer to Fees and finance.

The same regulations also require us to clarify that the services with which we will provide you, should you accept an offer from us, are as set out in the sections of this prospectus that detail the content and duration of our academic programmes (subject to the caveats above regarding withdrawal or variation of programmes and courses).

Information on accommodation costs and fees is given in the Fees and finance section.

Facilities and services

The University endeavours to provide the best possible equipment and facilities for all programmes and courses, and provides a wide range of support services (for example, library, media, catering and student services, and computing facilities).

The University endeavours to ensure that the facilities, services and equipment provided for the purpose of programmes and courses are of a proper standard. Such facilities, services and equipment may, however, be provided by third parties and not by the University (for example the Health Centre or any periods spent at other universities). In that case, the University will endeavour to ensure that proper facilities and equipment are provided for the programme or course, to be delivered to a reasonable standard, but it can ultimately accept no responsibility.

Force majeure

The University cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or expense resulting from any delay, variation or failure in the provision of services or facilities relating to any programme or course arising from circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control, including (but not limited to) earthquake, fire, flood, storm, Act of God, or of public enemies, national emergency, war, insurrection, riots, industrial disputes (including disputes involving the University’s employees), boycott, telecommunications failure, interruption of services rendered by any public utility, or interference from any local, national or supra-national government agency or official.

The above limitations will not apply insofar as any liability may not be excluded under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.

Students’ property

While the University takes all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and security of students on the University campus, or when occupying University-managed accommodation, the University cannot accept responsibility, and expressly excludes liability, for loss or damage to students’ personal property (including computer equipment and software), including any financial or other consequential loss, where such loss or damage is a result of theft, fire, flood, computer virus or any cause related to University computer facilities, or any other cause, except where such loss or damage is caused by the University’s negligence.

It is recommended that students insure personal property against the risk of loss and damage.

Car parking

Parking on campus is restricted. Charges apply to all students (and staff) who are allowed to park on campus, except those with disabled parking permits. Students living on campus are not allowed to park on campus unless they have disabled parking permits or families living on campus. For more information refer to the Estates and Facilities website.

Acts by other students and non-employees of the University

The University cannot be held responsible for any injury to a student, or financial or other loss or damage resulting from such injury, or for damage to property, caused by any other student, or by any person who is not an employee or authorised agent of the University.

Financial or other loss

The University cannot accept responsibility for any financial or other loss suffered by a student as a consequence of any of the matters in respect of which liability is excluded within these terms and conditions.

Fees

Fee information is given in the Fees and Finance section for the academic year 2008-2009 and is accurate at time of going to press. However, the University reserves the right routinely to increase fees from year to year, and in general to review and change fees without notice. If you are in doubt about the fee liability for your intended programme, please contact Postgraduate Admissions (E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk) for clarification.

Fees for postgraduate programmes are generally due a year in advance, although options to pay by instalments may be available.

Fee refunds

New students: no fees are charged when a new student decides to withdraw from their degree programme and notifies the University in writing of their intention to do so before the end of October in their first year of study. After 31 October the procedures for returning students apply.

Returning students: fees are due for each full term (part of term is charged at the full term rate) of attendance. Any overpayment is refunded subject to the submission of a written request to Financial Services.

Data protection

Should you decide to apply to Sussex, we will use the information you provide to administer your application. To support you during the admissions process, you may be contacted by the University and its alumni representatives. Should you be admitted to the University, the information you provide will be carried forward to your formal student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on your personal details, academic and administrative history and on relevant financial transactions. Otherwise, your application details will be used to produce anonymous statistical data and thereafter will be destroyed.

Once you register as a student here, we are also required by law to collect and provide information to certain external agencies, including the Higher Education Statistics Agency. After you leave, parts of your student record (eg basic registration details, your results, your address, and any papers which may be required in relation to unfinished business) will be archived and the remaining information destroyed. Throughout, your personal data will be held in accordance with current data protection legislation.

Publishing statement

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this prospectus at the time of going to publication (July 2007), but the University cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

For pre-application enquiries:

Student Recruitment Services
Sussex House
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH
T +44 (0)1273 876787
F +44 (0)1273 876677
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

For post-application enquiries:

Postgraduate Admissions
Admissions Office
Sussex House
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk

Teaching term dates 2008-2009

Autumn term
6 October 2008 to 12 December 2008

Spring term
12 January 2009 to 20 March 2009

Summer term
20 April 2009 to 26 June 2009