History

If for any reason you are unable to travel to campus to start the academic year, all teaching will be available virtually. This means that you can start, or continue, your programme off-campus, wherever you are, with full flexibility to transfer to on-campus learning as soon as you are able to. We will ensure that every student who wants and is able to, can get regular classroom-based teaching on at least one module throughout the academic year. This means that larger groups of students will be taught online, with these lessons being recorded so that people who are unable to attend can view them later.

For the 2020 academic year, we are focusing on ensuring that we are able to deliver a quality education and that your teaching and learning can continue if there is further disruption. That’s why we’ve been working hard to ensure that our students are able to start with us in October – in whatever way possible. The changes we have made to support you and protect your health and wellbeing mean that, for most of our courses, this will include blended learning – with lectures, classes and other teaching taking place both online and face to face. Much of this teaching will be offered “live” (even if online/ virtual) but will also be available to access at times that suit you.

We know that your learning experience is about more than just attending classes, and our campuses can provide you with all you need to make the most of your studies. This includes private space to study, in your on-campus study bedrooms as well as in PC labs and other spaces on our three campuses for self-study. We can also offer you access to laptops on loan and access to our library services; as well as enhanced wifi provision across our campuses.

Your learning experience will also include:

• Flexible learning

If you can’t live on or travel to campus, you will be able to study online, switching to campus-based study when you can.

• Online discussion forums

All lectures will be complemented by an online discussion forum in which you can access the lecture, ask questions and prepare for the next session. This will be mixed with on-campus and online teaching in smaller groups. Smaller group teaching will be carefully organised with plenty of time to prepare and focused questions to allow you to participate fully.

• No changes to module content with flexible learning

Module content will be the same as other years.

• Live webinars, pre-recorded lectures and online discussions

Students studying online will have live webinars, bespoke pre-recorded lectures, live online seminars, and online discussions with lecturers available to answer your questions.

• Academic support hours

Your tutors will hold weekly academic support hours online and (where possible) in-person, offering you one-to-one support and guidance.

• Virtual drop in sessions

You will have the opportunity to access virtual ‘drop in sessions’ for every module we teach, to encourage you to ask questions and get any support you might need.

• Reduced number of assessments

We have reduced the number of assessments and included more opportunities for you to practice the assignments for different modules before you submit them to be marked.

• Carefully designed assessments

Your assessments have been carefully designed to ensure that they are clearly structured and organised to help you to succeed. You’ll be doing a whole range of different things, and we will guide and explain what you need to do so that you get the best out of them that you can.

• Access to digital resources

You will have access to online digital resources, such as; reading lists; important core texts; and recorded lectures. We are well-placed to support you, whether you will be learning face-to-face or online. We are adapting all our resources to be available online, with new ways for you to contribute to discussions, and different means of engaging with fellow students and staff.

• Weekly virtual ‘Open Door’ meetings with the Head of Department

The Head of Department will hold a regular virtual ‘Open Door’ meeting with students every week, so you can tell us about what you think is going well and any areas where you need more help. We also have a number of History students who act as representatives for their fellow students, should you wish to provide feedback through them.

We recognise that some students may have difficulty travelling to campus in time to start the academic year. If for any reason you are unable to travel to campus to start the academic year, all teaching will be available virtually. This means that you can start, or continue, your programme off-campus, wherever you are, with full flexibility to transfer to on-campus learning as soon as you are able to. All of our modules are designed to support you to continue learning and still be able to access one-to-one consultation and guidance that you would normally get from the lecturers on your course, if further outbreaks of infection occur during the year. This means you can join us in full confidence that you can continue and complete your programme of study.

There is lots of helpful information about starting at Essex in our guide for applicants should you have any questions, feel uncertain about something in particular, or, would like up to date information on specific topics if your situation changes. If you are an overseas student and you aren't able to join us on Campus in the autumn, then you will need to be aware of some immigration changes taking place in January 2021.

In the Department

We are planning to introduce more virtual departmental events, alongside campus events so that there is always a good mix. This will include events where we can get to know each other, welcome events, coffee mornings, quizzes and other socials.

As part of our studying and celebrating diverse histories, we will be organising and participating in a programme of activities in Black History Month in October. Individual lecturers will also have additional sessions related to their teaching, such as film showings and virtual ‘trips’ to museums.

There are a wealth of Societies for you to get involved in, one being our vibrant and exciting History Society, run by students and supported by the Department. Our History Society is currently in the process of organising some of its own events for next year. They’ll be advertising these when you arrive, so keep a look out for them on our events calendar and come and get involved. You might even decide to join the Society’s Executive Committee- it’s great fun and looks good on your CV.

On Campus

We have been working in partnership with our Students’ Union to ensure that you can enjoy our clubs, societies, activities and services. We have built in flexibility to enable you to access support and activities, and to shape your experience around your life.

To learn more about the range of events Essex will be hosting, please visit our events calendar. To stay up to date with the very latest guidance on how to visit your campus, view our coming onto campus guide.

The health and wellbeing of our students is our priority, and this has been one of the focuses to ensure students can start on campus – safely – in October.

This means we are constantly monitoring advice from the UK Government, Public Health England, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the World Health Organisation.

To protect our community on campus once the academic year starts again in October, we will be looking to introduce the following measures:

• Enhanced cleaning and sterilising regimes
• Social distancing in line with international guidance
• Signage and floor markings in key locations to help you move around our campuses safely

We’re asking you to wear face coverings in all public campus areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain or in specifically designated locations. We’ll be supporting you by giving two washable face coverings to all students

There is a number of support systems available to you whilst you are at Essex, for whenever you need them and for however long you wish to use them.

These include:

• Medical support and healthcare (and our online mental health programme SilverCloud)
• Mental and emotional health support
• Personalised advice and support from the Student Services Hub

The University also runs a variety of online events throughout the year including at-home yoga and mindfulness sessions.

To find out more about the network of support you will benefit from during your time at Essex, please visit the Student Directory.