Department of Physics and Astronomy

Teaching methods, Assessments and Deadlines

Teaching Methods

Physics and Astronomy MSc courses are offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The courses begin in September in the autumn term and finish at the end of August. Course modules are spread across the autumn and spring terms, and are assessed by written examinations, coursework, essays, report writing and presentations. Students take on a major research project for their MSc Dissertation which they must hand in by the end of August. Students not wishing to take the dissertation can finish early with a Postgraduate Diploma. For more information about this, you should speak to the course convenor.

Assessments and Deadlines for Formal Submissions

Full details about the assessment and deadlines for each module are available in the Course Directory.

Full details about the assessment and deadlines for each module are available Sussex Direct. Generally MSc exams take place on weeks 5, 6 and 7 of the summer term (mid May, early June), though for some modules they may occur at other times. The MSc Dissertation is handed in at the end of August or beginning of September during the vacation period.

Please note you will have assessment deadlines. Each one of your core and option module assessments and deadlines for submission appears in your study timetable on the Sussex Direct web page.

The assessment of the MSc research project/dissertation includes a dissertation and an oral presentation (and a poster in the case of Physics and Astronomy). Supervisors for MSc research projects/dissertations are allocated in the first half of the autumn term, in consultation with the relevant MSc convenor.

It is your responsibility to be aware of the assessment and deadlines for your MSc course modules.

Submitting your work

You must submit your work to the School Office or via Canvas. When you hand in your work you will need to bring your registration card with you, that is your Student ID card for the staff in the MPS School Office to record your submission. Submission details are recorded on your Sussex Direct pages.

The assessment of the MSc research project/dissertation includes a dissertation and, for some courses, an oral presentation. Supervisors for MSc research projects/dissertations are allocated in the first half of the autumn term, in consultation with their relevant MSc convenor.

It is important that such deadlines are met; the University applies a system of penalties to assessments that are handed in late. For more details, please consult the Examination and Assessment Regulations.