Why are we doing this?
A change to the structure of the academic year enables us to improve delivery, assessment and feedback. The new structure gives us longer in which to provide more feedback within the term and following the mid-year assessment period.
Will my degree programme change?
We are not changing the subject of the title of the degree you are studying for, or the overall content of the degree. We are changing the structure of how the degree is being delivered across the year.
When do I have to be here in the autumn term?
Induction starts on Monday 17th September 2012 for new students and Term and teaching starts on Thursday 20th September 2012.
When is the last day of term in the autumn?
The autumn term ends on Wednesday 12th December 2012.
Will I have to be back at the start of the mid-year assessment period?
You will need to attend if you have examinations and submission of assessments due. We are in the process of updating Sussex Direct and will notify you when further information is available.
How can we give feedback about the new structure?
We will continue to gather feedback from students on all aspects of our provision and the student experience, through our embedded processes and via student reps and other means, such as the Student Experience Forum. We have a range of continuous review processes that will apply to various aspects of the structure, for example CEQs and Annual Monitoring.
Is this semesterisation?
No. Our new academic year structure will continue to have three terms autumn, spring and summer and a mid-year examination and assessment period.
Will we have reading weeks?
There are no formal reading weeks in the new structure. It will be up to Schools how they 'pulse' their delivery of teaching and some may wish to include a period for consolidation and meetings with Academic Advisors in a particular week.
Do we still have freshers' week?
Yes. There is a welcome weekend on 15th September and three days of induction from Monday 17th September before teaching starts on the 20th September. However, the Students Union have organised events throughout the week.
My course used to be 26 weeks long and now it is only 24 weeks long. Why?
Teaching for most students is currently done over 24 weeks and this will remain the same in the new structure. Only PGCE have a differently structured academic year. Some Schools previously stretched teaching to 26 weeks by running revision sessions in the summer term. They can still do this if they wish to.
I do not feel that I am getting the course I signed up for, how will you ensure the new structure doesn't affect content and quality?
The intensive Portfolio Review and Periodic Review Process has reviewed the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum provision within all Schools. This was done to ensure that all programme and course content is up-to-date, research-informed, relevant and of the highest quality as well as to ensure the student experience is enhanced. Lots of students and external professors have confirmed the quality.
How does the new structure affect my accommodation on campus? Do I pay less? Do I have to move out earlier?
Accommodation tenancy periods will remain at 39 weeks for undergraduates and 50 weeks for postgraduates - the same as now. For undergraduates this commences on Saturday 15th September 2012 and ends on Saturday 15th June 2013.
How will the new structure impact on intermission?
There will be two periods in the year when a student can return from intermission, September and January at the start of the term. The new credit structure will make it much easier for students taking intermission to take their credits forward.
How will you ensure I get my loan in accordance with the new academic structure?
Loan payments will continue to be available in three equally-spaced instalments to enable students to organise and budget their finances accordingly. For registered students this will be on 20th September 2012, 9th January 2013 and 2nd April 2013.
How will the new structure affect the student services on campus?
All of our student services will continue to be organised to best meet the needs of the student community. The restructured academic year will not impact on access to, or the quality of, these services. The Library will open 24hrs mid week during term time and over the holidays before exams.
How much has the new academic year restructuring cost?
Very little to date as the new structure has been about aligning dates. What has cost a lot of time has been Portfolio Review - which we are committed to undertake every 5 - 6 years and needed to do this before our QAA deadline in December 2012.
I have another question not covered here?
