Registration

Further information is available on the Academic Section website.

Communication Methods

Important information is communicated to students by means of land mail, electronic mail and on University notice boards. The University makes increasing use of electronic mail to advise students of deadlines and to communicate information on various aspects of student life. You are expected to access and check your University e-mail account at least once per week in term time. Details of computing facilities and basic training are available at the Computer Service web page.

Important information is also posted on the notice boards, outside the Examinations Office (Room 6.105), on departmental notice boards and in the LTB foyer. Students are advised to check these regularly.

myEssex – the Student Portal

myEssex is a student web portal which offers you a structured set of links to online services and information that have been customised with your needs in mind, eg myEssex automatically provides links to information about your scheme of study and modules, as well as links to the relevant departments. You can personalise myEssex further by adding and hiding links, adding personal contacts and by changing the look of the pages. For more information log on at MyEssex

Online Coursework Submission (OCS)

Most modules now use OCS and therefore for each module on which you are enrolled, you must ensure that you check with that individual department regarding their deadlines and specific requirements for submissions.

You can use these links to familiarise yourself with OCS:

Help page/tutorial

Test page

Study Room (5A.103)

This is a room for CISH students for private study and reading.

CISH students are welcome to use the Art History Common Room (Thomas' Room - 6.143).

Online Services for Students

The University is constantly expanding the range of services and transactions which can be conducted online. Students are now required to check and amend online some aspects of their personal student record, such as their term time and home addresses. These services are all accessed through password protected web pages.

Teaching Weeks

For standard modules teaching takes place during the Autumn and/or Spring terms and the early part of the Summer Term. The University uses a week numbering system that covers the 52 weeks of a calendar year, beginning with Freshers’ week as week 1. Teaching in the Autumn Term takes place in weeks 2-11, the Spring Term teaching weeks are 16-25 and the first week of the Summer Term is week 30. A table setting out dates and corresponding week numbers is available online.

Timetables

The University lecture timetable is managed centrally by the Systems Administration Timetable Office (Room 6.105). The lecture timetable is available online. Information about classes, laboratories and seminars is available on departmental noticeboards. Students also have access to their personal online timetable which is accessible via myEssex.

Recording lectures

If a student requires tapes for any reason (such as a disability which prevents note-taking), the request should be sent to the Student Support Office.

Academic Staff Office Hours

All members of academic staff teaching during the academic year will have regular times when you can see them. Details of when they are available will be posted on their office doors. It is recommended that outside office hours or in vacations, academic staff should be contacted by email.

Rules of Assessment

At the start of the academic year 2007-2008 the University introduced new undergraduate Rules of Assessment designed to apply to all students in all disciplines across the University. Rules of Assessment are used to determine whether you can progress from one year of study/stage to the next, and also your degree classification in your final year of study.

Note that your first-year results do not affect your degree classification which is based on second- (or second- and third- in the case of four-year courses) and final-year results. 

First Year Monitoring

Progress monitoring of first-year students is carried out by the CISH Office in respect of attendance and coursework submission. Students with a poor progress record will be referred to the Course Director. Students with recurring progress problems may be referred to the Faculty Dean/Administrator.

Availability of Coursework for External Examiners

At the start of the Summer Term second and final-year students will be asked to bring all assessed coursework to the CISH Office so that it will be available for the External Examiner to read if necessary. This is essential for the meeting of the Board of Examiners in June.

Careers Centre Events

Further details are available on the Careers Centre website

Copyshop and Print Centre

Copy Centre

The Copyshop is situated on Square 4 and provides a comprehensive photocopying and binding service.

Print Centre

The Print Centre offers a complete design and artwork service, together with good quality printing on single or two colour print machines.

E-mail pcentre (Non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full email address)

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1300, 1400-1700, 1645 on Friday

Telephone: 01206 873141
Location: Room 2.400
Website

Support services for students  

The University has a range of support services designed to help students to achieve their full potential and to get the most out of their studies. These form a co-ordinated network of support, and are an important part of the overall student experience at the University of Essex.  

Support services aim to be accessible to students and responsive to their needs. Should you be experiencing academic, personal or financial difficulties, it’s as well to be aware of where you can go to resolve potential crises.  Further information on the wide range of confidential student support provision on offer, and up to date contact details can be found on the web pages.

If you are concerned about a specific module, essay or deadline you should, in the first instance, see your module tutor to explain your situation.  

For any personal difficulties you may wish to first approach the CISH Director, your Course Director, one of the Centre Administrators or the CISH Student Advisor.  

Students with Disabilities  

If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty or long term medical condition you are encouraged to disclose this to the University so that individual arrangements can be made. Arrangements for disabled students are co-ordinated by the Disability Service based within Student Support.

On the Colchester campus you can also e-mail disab (@essex.ac.uk) or drop in to Student Support during opening hours and ask for the duty disability adviser. Full contact details for Student Support on all campuses is on the web.   There is a Departmental Disability Liaison Officer (DDLO) within the Centre. Details of your DDLO and their role are available online on the Student Support Website.