Teaching and Learning
Lectures: a prepared talk on a particular subject given by a member of teaching staff. Lectures provide students with common material as the starting point for further study. The lecturer will outline a topic, or explain difficult ideas, but will not give you everything you need to know. You are expected to read further on the subject.
Seminars: lectures are often supported by seminars, in which a smaller group of students and a tutor talk through ideas, question assumptions and discuss aspects of a topic in depth.
Tutorials: In a tutorial you can ask questions, check your understanding, and discuss work assignments individually with a tutor. This encourages you to develop self-reliance, analyse problems, think imaginatively, and argue your case.
Laboratory and practical classes: for science students to test experimentally the concepts and methods introduced in lectures and tutorials. The written report on your experiment should detail both observations and results.
Groupwork: collaborate with other students - under tutors' guidance - on a project. This encourages you to take different roles (e.g. leading a group), share expertise and tackle tasks that you would not be able to undertake alone. The ability to work effectively in groups is much sought after by employers.
Independent reading and study: guided by lecturers, this enables you to prepare for - and follow up - topics in greater depth. Especially important when you are undertaking an assignment: a coursework essay, a presentation or preparation for an exam.
Teaching and learning on your degree
Undergraduate degree structure | Postgraduate degree structure
Teaching by experts
Choosing a research-led university such as Sussex has huge advantages in the teaching you receive. Who better to teach you than experts working at the forefront of their field? Not only do they know their subject, they actually create the knowledge that moves that subject forward. Degree students have the opportunity to participate directly in ground-breaking research work, with science and engineering students joining a faculty research project in their final year.
Building vital skills for your future
Whatever your subject at Sussex, you will acquire a range of skills based on sound research principles. This will prove invaluable in a job market that increasingly values the intellectual abilities that are nurtured at a research-led university. A degree from Sussex will give you the edge
Academic advice
When you start your degree you have access to an academic adviser who can provide advice and support, including help with course selection and review of your progress, throughout your academic career.
Learning methods
You may find that the teaching and learning methods in the UK are different from those you have experienced in your home country. At Sussex, emphasis is placed on the development of critical analysis and problem solving skills, and you will be expected to take a high level of responsibility for your own studies.
Undergraduate degree stucture
Most undergraduates have some combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials (plus laboratory or practical classes and fieldwork in the sciences) as well as time for private study (e.g. reading, completing exercises, writing reports).
Your first year: the number of teaching sessions will vary according to your subject. For the remainder of the time you are expected to study independently of your tutors. You will need to organise your time effectively and develop good study habits to gain a broad and deep understanding of the topics, concepts and issues covered in your courses, and to complete the assessed work required.
Much of your learning will depend on how you use the resources available to you; the extent to which you participate in discussions and practical/groupwork; and how you tackle course assignments and assessments.
Second and third years: a greater emphasis on seminars, project work and in-depth study of a particular topic. So, as well as having a broad-based understanding of your subject and its context, built up over the first part of your degree programme, you develop a specialist interest and expertise.
Assessment: a variety of methods are used. These include unseen examinations, projects, dissertations, take-away papers and oral tests. Satisfactory completion of assessed work is required for you to progress from one year to the next.
Postgraduate degree stucture
The University's organisation of graduate studies brings subjects together, encourages intellectual exchange across disciplines, and creates a sense of community for graduate students. Taught Masters Degrees are advanced academic programmes that last for12 months, and are divided into two parts:
Part 1: Teaching and learning (9 months)
Classroom teaching may be much less formal than you are used to. You are encouraged to ask questions, join in discussions, and debate points with your tutors. The main teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will also learn from case studies, project work and presentations.
Part 2: Original research (3 months)
For the last part of the course you will conduct research and write up your findings in a dissertation. After agreeing a specific topic with your supervisor, you will need to review the published academic research on your topic and show how your research will add to this knowledge. Your research must be original and follow established research methods. Research involves critical reading and analysis, interviewing people or designing and conducting surveys. Throughout the process you will have regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss your progress.