School of Education and Social Work

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to questions often put to us by new Sussex students.

If you remain unclear or have a question not addressed here, contact eswdose@sussex.ac.uk and someone will respond soonest.

How will I be contacted by the University?

Personal communications will be via email, so it is vitally important that you check and use your Sussex email address daily. 

Your course team will also need to communicate with you for various purposes – this may be via the ESW Noticeboard on Canvas, through Sussex Direct or through notices on specific modules on your Canvas sites.

Official university communications are sometimes sent to you by post so it is vital that you keep your term-time address and contact details up to date in Canvas.

Later in the year we may be able to use paper-based communications which would also be placed in your pigeonhole. So make sure you know where these are located and check them regularly. In Essex House they are located on the ground floor. As you head towards the open student work space, you will see a slope taking you down towards Seminar Room 18 and our Primary teaching training space. Student pigeonholes are at the end of this corridor on the right. 

Where will I find information about my timetable and modules?

Most information relating to your timetable and studies - including modes of assessment, weightings and credit details - is on Sussex Direct or on your Sussex Mobile app.

For detailed course content and readings, you will be automatically enrolled to your module sites on Canvas. If you cannot find any of this contact your Course Coordinator. You will be accessing Canvas a lot, so you might want to create a shortcut to it for future easy access.

You can also access Canvas from your mobile phone when you download the Canvas app.

If I realise I've made a mistake in my choice of degree course after I've started, can I change?

Yes.

The first thing to do is to speak to your Academic Advisor and/or a Student Life Advisor as soon as you realise that this is what you wish to do. You can discuss any academic concerns with your Academic Advisor and, if relevant, any personal reasons behind your decision to transfer with the Student Life Advisor. 

Once you have made the decision to transfer you will need to:

  • contact the School's Curriculum and Assessment Officer, Shaun Billing, who will provide you with the relevant form to complete and administer the transfer process for you 
  • make sure that you research the course you wish to transfer to and give good reasons for the switch - put these reasons on your form
  • get the relevant signatures on your completed form (if you're changing schools these will need to be from those at your current as well as in your prospective school).

If you're an international student, see how changing your course might affect your visa.

How do I acquire - and top up - photocopying and printing credits?

The Library can provide you with a PIN for printing and photocopying which you can do from any multi-functional device in the University. You can manage your credit via the Sussex Mobile app (look for the 'Printing' icon) on your mobile phone.

How will I know if a taught session has been cancelled or rescheduled?

You may receive direct emails or a text message from your Course Leader or an administrator about a cancellation or reschedule of a taught session. More likely, however, will be notification via the Sussex Mobile app and/or Canvas.

Where can I find lecture or seminar notes?

It's Canvas again. Log in using your normal university username and password. Typically, lectures will be recorded using Panopto and these will be available on Canvas too.

Where can I find information online about term dates?

Term dates are in the main 'About us' section of the Sussex website. You will also find summer and winter graduation dates and minimum service days (when general staff will not be on campus and essential services only will remain operational) on this page.

Where can I get a letter that confirms I am a student?

Undergraduate students can request a 'To Whom It May Concern' letter, on university letter-headed paper by emailing eswenquiries@sussex.ac.uk.

Postgraduate students can get this letter from the Student Systems and Records Office (SSRO), by filling in a To Whom It May Concern Letter request form.

This letter can be used by you to confirm your status as a student of the University of Sussex to landlords, government agencies, foreign governments, or any other organisation or person requiring proof beyond that of your student card. We require at least 24 hours' notice for this service.

How can I get a Council Tax Exemption letter?

The Student Systems and Records Office deal with Council Tax exemptions.

NOTE: Regulations vary depending on where you are living.

Who should I talk to if I am having personal problems that I am worried could affect my studies?

Seek help early from the Student Centre. Their information desk is currently operating remotely and, although they cannot take incoming calls at this time, they are responding promptly to email enquiries. You can also submit an online enquiry.

The Student Life Centre can offer help and support with:

  • settling in to university life
  • guidance on university processes
  • personal and cultural issues
  • money worries
  • wellbeing and health concerns
  • accessing specialist services and resources on and off-campus

If you would prefer to speak to someone within the School, see your Academic Advisor in the first instance, or your School's Directors of Student Experience - Dr James Williams and Jo Tregenza - at eswdose@sussex.ac.uk. 

Who should I talk to about academic problems?

All students are assigned an Academic Advisor who you will meet with periodically to discuss your academic progress, review your marks and discuss issues relating to your academic performance. They are also a good person to talk to about any problems or challenges you may be having.

If you feel closer - or just more comfortable speaking - to a Course Leader (also called Course Convenors), a Module Leader, or the Course Coordinator who supports your course, you may do that also. The important thing is that you speak to someone. Information on course and module leaders can be found on Canvas if you are unsure.

You can also speak to the School's Directors of Student Experience at eswdose@sussex.ac.uk.

See also details about 'Exceptional circumstances' and whether these apply to you. If so, you can make a claim to submit late, or request other 'reasonable adjustments' made for you.

You can also talk to the Student Centre if there is good reason why you missed a submission deadline or want to re-take an exam.

How can I improve my academic skills in specific areas?

The Sussex Skills Hub offers all sorts of resources, training and support to develop students' academic skills. Areas covered include:

  • Presenting and participating in class
  • Reading and research
  • Writing and assessment
  • Referencing and academic integrity
  • Revision and exams
  • Personal development and employability
Who should I contact if I am unable to attend a taught session?

If you are ill or unable to attend a session, you need to email the Course Coordinator or Module Convenor as soon as possible.

An important part of the learning process is attendance at lectures, workshops and seminars and there is an expectation that you will attend all of your timetabled sessions  - which are compulsory. If/when your attendance drops below 80% you will receive an email notification.

If your circumstances have changed, you are experiencing difficulties, or there is any other situation impacting your ability to attend classes, you should contact the Student Centre for advice and guidance. 

If your attendance is poor for a sustained period with no valid reason given, you may be invited to attend a meeting of the School Student Progress Committee who may recommend that you be required to withdraw - either temporarily or permanently.

Who should I contact if I can't attend a placement?

If you expect to be absent from a placement, you would usually be expected to inform the Course Coordinator or Module Leader, as well as your principal contact at the placement.

What is a 'candidate number', where do I find mine and what is it for?

As well as being on your student ID card, your candidate number is also on Sussex Direct. You will need both your candidate number and ID card for submitting work and when you sit exams.

What should I do if I lose my ID card?

If you lose your card, or suspect it has been stolen, you should immediately report the loss to the Library (library.membership@sussex.ac.uk). The Library will prevent your card being used by anyone else (you are responsible for any borrowing up to the time when the card is reported lost).

Contact the Print Unit in the York House 'undercroft' for a replacement card (access is via the York House car park, off Norwich House Road). There is a charge (currently £10) for cards replaced as a result of loss, or because of accidental damage (payment cannot be taken from your student account). However, if your card has been stolen and you can provide a Crime reference number from the police in support of this, you will not be charged for a new card.

How, when and where do I hand in my work?

Check out the details on our Student Hub about 'Submitting an assessment'.

What happens if I miss a submission deadline or I submit my work late for medical reasons/exceptional circumstances?

Please refer to the 'Exceptional circumstances' web page on the Student Hub.

You can make three types of claim for exceptional circumstances: Late submission, Non submission and Impairment. Claims are made through Sussex Direct (you need to log in). Your form must be submitted with evidence relating to your claim. The types of evidence accepted are detailed on the Exceptional circumstances web page.

Your claim and supporting evidence or self-declaration form should be submitted as close to the assessment deadline as possible and no later than 5.30pm on the final claim deadline dates below.

You cannot apply for “impairment” in an assessment until its deadline has passed.

How will I know if my exceptional circumstances have been accepted?

Decisions will be fed back to you via Sussex Direct and also passed on from Exam Boards which consider your year-to-year progression and your final classification.

If you are required to provide more evidence you will be emailed and you will be told when/where to submit additional documentation.

If the claim is rejected you will be informed by email and given information about the appeals process. Appeals can only be made after the exam board has met.

Can I request a change of placement if I don't like where I've been placed?

Social Work students complete a profile form at the start of their studies which is used by the Director of Practice Learning to match you with a suitable placement. We consider factors such as caring responsibilities, learning and other support needs, geographical location, past experience and any potential conflicts of interest.

The Director of Practice Learning runs a series of preparatory workshops before you attend your placement where all things placement related are discussed. So you should be well prepared before you start your placement. However, if you find you cannot continue with your placement for whatever reason, you should contact the Course Coordinator, Lisa Williams, and the Director of Practice Learning, Karen Okuefuna-Budd.

__________________________________________________________

Education students are also matched - as far as we are able to do so - with regard their past experience and geographical location. The partnership team and university tutors work hard to secure placements from our partnership schools throughout the year and have good relationships with them. For PGCE trainees, both professional practice placements are organised by university Curriculum Tutors, following consultation with the schools' partnership team and partner schools, taking account of:

  •  availability of placements in particular subject areas, age phases and specialisms
  •  the need to provide for experience across the entire age range
  •  accessibility for trainees in relation to where they live and access to transport
  •  knowledge of our school partnerships.


Whilst we make every effort to place trainees in schools within a reasonable commutes of their home address, this is not always possible. Teacher trainees must expect to travel for up to 1.5 hours to a placement school, although commutes are rarely this long. School Direct trainees' first placement is usually familiar as it will the school where you applied to complete your teacher training. The second placement is organised by the School Direct partnership. 

The PGCE course is an intense course and a large proportion of your time is spent on school placement where you are able to apply theory to practice and gain from the experience and knowledge of the staff in the school. All schools are different and there are invaluable experiences to be gained from each. We expect our trainees to be polite and professional during their time in school. Teachers are expected to:

  • develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support
  • take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues.
  • Teachers must also have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality.’
    (Teachers’ Standards 2012)

If you are unhappy about your placement, you need to carefully consider what it is that you are unhappy about. Wherever possible, you should speak to your Mentor and/or Professional Tutor about your concerns. It is an expectation that you will keep your University Tutor in the loop, too!
Many concerns are resolved with a conversation, some changes to your timetable or your university tutor contacting the school where you are placed. There are rare occasions when all parties are in agreement that it would be best to move you to another school to complete your training and of course we would arrange this for you.

What should I do if I witness something I feel should be reported - or simply want to make a complaint?

If you witness something that should be reported, please visit our 'Report and Support' web pages. You can report anonymously if you wish to. As well as a reporting tool, there are also lots of useful guides, information and FAQs on this page.

If you feel you need to make a complaint, see the complaints procedure for students which gives details of the avenues you can take. Most complaints are resolved at this level but sometimes they need to be referred to a higher level of authority.

What's the official process for providing feedback on my experiences - good or bad?

It depends on the feedback you wish to provide and the outcome you require.

If the feedback relates to the School of Education and Social Work generally, there are suggestion boxes on the ground floor of Essex House in which you can submit comments or suggestions completely anonymously. You are also welcome to email the Head of School [eswhos@sussex.ac.uk] who is always happy to receive feedback from our students.

If you wish to talk to somebody about your course, you can approach your Academic Advisor, your Course Leader - or appropriate Module Leader, the Course Coordinator who supports your course administratively, or your Student Rep whose role is to pass feedback from students to the School Student Experience Group where issues are aired and discussed for acknowledgement of and improvements to the student learning experience.

You can also contact this School's Student Experience team at eswdose@sussex.ac.uk about anything relating to your learning experience here at Sussex.

If you are a final year undergraduate student, you also have the ability to make your voice and opinions known through the annual National Student Survey (NSS) - the outcomes of which feed directly into the national rankings for universities.

What should I do in an emergency?

If there is an accident or emergency on campus you should phone the campus emergency hotline: 3333 (from a mobile or external line call 01273 873333) – not 999 unless off campus.

If you hear a fire alarm in the building you are currently in, leave the building straight away by the nearest exit (do not use a lift) and go to the building assembly point. For Essex House this is the flat, grassed area at the bottom of the Essex House steps at the front of the building between Essex and Bramber House.