School of Life Sciences

Frequently asked questions

Assessments

Where can I find my candidate number? Why do I need it?

On Sussex Direct go to Study > Click to view your candidate number. This number is also shown on your University ID card. You will need both your candidate number and ID card for submitting work and when you take exams.

How do I submit my work?

Check your assessment deadlines timetable in Sussex Direct  (Timetable > Assessment Deadlines & Exam Timetable) regularly for up-to-date information about assessment modes (eg essay, presentation, group written submission), deadlines and whether your work should be submitted electronically or via the School office.

If there is any information in your timetable that you think is incorrect, please contact the module convenor or the School Office.

Electronic submissions

Most coursework assessments should be submitted electronically; however, there are exceptions so you should always check Sussex Direct to ensure you submit your work correctly and on time.

Find out how to submit your work electronically and view feedback

Read frequently asked questions about the University's e-submissions policy and regulations

Before submitting your work, please read the following advice very carefully:

  • Include your candidate number on every page, preferably in the header or footer.
  • Do not write your name anywhere in your work.
  • Submit your work as early as possible to avoid losing marks for being late. The system may be slow at peak times as lots of students try to upload work just before the deadline. For example, if you start uploading your work at 3.59pm on deadline day but the file isn't fully uploaded until 4.01pm, your submission will be recorded as late and receive a penalty.
  • Make sure your work is complete before you submit it.
  • If you submit your work before the submission deadline shown in Sussex Direct, you CANNOT submit a replacement after the deadline has passed.
  • If you submit your work after the submission deadline shown in Sussex Direct, you will not be able to submit a replacement version so make sure you submit the correct version!
  • If Disability Advice has granted you permission to submit work up to seven days late without penalty (as part of a reasonable adjustment), the same rules apply: you can submit work once after the deadline shown in Sussex Direct has passed but only if you do not submit work before the deadline. If you submit work before the deadline, you will not be able to replace this with an updated version after the deadline has passed.
  • Include your word count in the header of your document.
  • If you have either dyslexia or dyspraxia, a symbol will appear next to your candidate number when you submit your work. If you have been given a digital yellow sticker, please add this to the first page of your work.

Contact IT Services if network problems prevent you from uploading your work. Occasionally, there can be problems with the university network which may cause problems when trying to submit online. If this happens, contact IT Services and alert them to the issue. If there is a university-wide network problem, the University will investigate and decide if any action is to be taken.

School Office submissions

For some coursework assessments, you will be expected to submit printed versions of your work to the School office, JMS Building, 3B12a.

Please note we will not accept printed submissions for assessments that should be submitted electronically so you should always check Sussex Direct to ensure you submit your work correctly and on time.

Before submitting your work, please read the following advice very carefully to avoid any unnecessary delays or confusion:

  • You must have two stapled copies of your work or it will not be accepted.
  • Avoid queues and technical problems in campus computer rooms by printing your work at home if possible.
  • Attach a completed cover sheet to both copies of your work and make sure all of the information is correct.
  • For dissertations, use the dissertation cover sheet
  • Include your candidate number on every page, preferably in the header or footer.
  • Do not write your name anywhere in your work.
  • Submit your work as early as possible to avoid losing marks for being late. The deadline is at 4pm.
  • Make sure your work is complete before you submit it.
  • Replacement versions of your work should be clearly marked REPLACEMENT on the front page of both copies. You cannot submit replacement copies after the deadline has passed.
  • Bring your student ID card with you to speed up the submission process.
  • If you are submitting work on behalf of somebody else, you will need to bring either that person's student ID card or a photo of the student ID card with you. This also applies to group work (see below).
  • If you have either dyslexia or dyspraxia and you have been given a yellow sticker, please add this to the first page of both copies of your work.
Group work

Make sure you write candidate numbers for every member of your group on the cover sheet for of your submission.

We can accept group work submissions without all group members being present; however, student ID cards for all group members must be shown when the work is being submitted. We will accept photos of student ID cards for any group members who are not present but the person handing in the work must have all of the student ID cards in some form.

Late submissions are not permitted for group written submissions. This means that the School office will not accept any group written submissions once the deadline has passed. This will also be reflected on your Assessment Deadlines page on Sussex Direct and indicated as [+0].

What happens if I have problems submitting my work for medical reasons or Exceptional Circumstances?

If you have Exceptional Circumstances that you would like to be taken into account, you should visit the Student Centre in the ground floor of Bramber House to speak to a member of student support staff.

Find out more about Exceptional Circumstances

How do I find out if my Exceptional Circumstances have been accepted?
You will be notified of the outcome by letter or email, after the relevant committee has met (once a term).

For late work (up to 24 hours late), the system will show the mark with the penalty applied. For Very Late work (over 24 hours late), a mark will be given for information only, and a '0' entered on your record. If the lateness is condoned by the committee, then your mark will be altered/reinstated in due course.

When/where will my exams/resits be?

Check your exam timetable in Sussex Direct (Timetable > Assessment Deadlines & Exam Timetable) regularly for up-to-date information about exam dates, times and locations. Please note that exams may be scheduled during evenings and on Saturdays and bank holidays.

In addition to any in-term assessments that you may have, there are three examination periods throughout the year, as follows:

  • Mid-year assessment period: January
  • Year-end assessment period: May-June
  • Summer vacation assessment period: August-September

Dates for each examination period for the next two academic years are listed on the University website. If you have examinations and/or coursework assessments due during these periods, you will be expected to be available to attend and/or submit work at the times shown on your assessment timetable in Sussex Direct. Please take this into account when making travel, holiday or other personal arrangements as failure to attend exams will mean you receive a mark of zero.

Resits (including second resits) take place in the summer vacation assessment period (August-September) and, in most circumstances*, they cannot be rescheduled to the mid-year or year-end assessment periods.

Exams (including resits) take place in our exam venues on campus or at carefully selected locations in the Brighton area. It is generally* not possible to sit your exams elsewhere (eg at a university or embassy in another country) so please make sure that you remain within a reasonable travelling distance during examination periods.

*The University may occasionally offer students the opportunity to sit exams in different assessment periods and/or locations in exceptional circumstances. Affected students will be contacted directly with all the information about any changes.

Marking and collecting work

Where can I see my marks?

Your marks will appear on Sussex Direct. If you log on and click to view your Study Pages, you can click on the Module Results tab to see your marks. The Module Progress tab will also give you information on your current work.

Where do I collect my marked work from?

You should speak to the front desk team in the School office if you wish to see you marked work and will be notified by your Course Co-ordinator(s) once it is ready to be viewed.

Can my work be re-marked if I am unhappy with my result?

The academic judgement of examiners is not subject to appeal, so it is not possible for your work to be re-marked. However, the University has a robust checking mechanism in place to ensure all marks are fair. A sample of assessed work on each module contributing to classification is moderated by another internal examiner and is then checked by an external examiner from a different university.

If you receive a disappointing mark, the best thing you can do is learn from the experience and work out how to avoid the same thing happening again. You can do this in the following ways:

1. Read the assessment feedback carefully. If you don’t understand it, visit the module convenor during his/her student consultation times to ask for clarification.

2. Discuss your academic progress with your Academic Advisor and/or one of the Student Mentors. They are here to help you overcome any academic problems you face.

3. Make use of the university’s support services. The Skills Hub website contains lots of helpful information and advice on study skills, exam and assessment preparation and techniques, and allows you to sign up for skills workshops.

Where can I get an official transcript of my marks?

If you have not yet completed your degree, your official marks will appear on Sussex Direct only. Please note that an overall mark is only available after Classification, and not at the end of each academic year.

Once you have completed your degree, you will need to fill in a Transcript Request Form, obtainable from Student Systems (transcripts@sussex.ac.uk).

Student support

Who can I talk to in the School?

The Director of Student Experience can be contacted (lifesci.studentexperience@sussex.ac.uk) if you would like additional support regarding your engagement with University, your experience here at Sussex, or if you have concerns relating to your progress or support needs. Click here for more information.

Who else can I talk to if I am going through personal problems?

Visit the Student Centre, where you can talk to one of the Student Life Team about any concerns.

Who can I talk to about my academic progress?

Contact your Academic Advisor. You should see his/her name and contact details in Sussex Direct. If you cannot find this information, ask your Course Co-ordinator(s).

For more information about student life at the University of Sussex, see the Student Hub.

Timetables and attendance

Where can I check my timetable?

On Sussex Direct go to Study page, click on Study Timetable. Note that you have a weekly timetable; your classes may be timetabled differently in each week, so please make sure you check each week carefully.

Where can I find out whether a lecture/seminar/tutorial/practical has been cancelled or rearranged?

Your Course Co-ordinator(s) should inform you of any changes to timetabling via email.However, if you are unsure, please contact them directly.

Can I change my seminar/tutorial/workshop group?

In order to manage the number of timetable change requests that School Office receives (and the disruption that such changes cause to planning and teaching), we have a policy that, in general, students will NOT be able to change their scheduled lecture, seminar or workshop times.

If there are genuinely unavoidable commitments (e.g. religious observance or responsibilities as a carer) or health/disability reasons that could prevent you from attending any of your timetabled classes, please email your Course Co-ordinators to request a change. Make sure you provide a clear explanation of the reason for your request and written evidence that proves you will not be able to attend. (Please note the deadline for timetable changes is the end of the second week of each term and you will not be able to submit requests after that date.)

We understand that many of you would like to change your timetables in order to accommodate work, travel or social commitments; however, your study timetable should take priority and other activities should be arranged accordingly. If you request a timetable change for any of these reasons, it will not be approved.

If you attend alternative classes without prior approval from the Course Administration team, you will be marked on the register for your timetabled classes as ‘absent’. This will be shown on your official record and may be reflected in academic references and professional references provided to prospective employers. It is therefore important that you attend all of your timetabled classes.

What should I do if I can't attend a lecture/seminar/tutorial/practical?

If you are unable to attend any teaching sessions, you need to send an email to relevant tutors giving a brief reason for your absence so that they can update their registers. If you cannot attend for more than six days due to illness, incapacity or other emergency you must inform the Director of Student Experience via email (lifesci.studentexperience@sussex.ac.uk) and provide evidence of why you are unable to attend (e.g. a medical certificate).
If you do not provide satisfactory evidence the Director of Student Experience will not be able to authorise your absence.

Where can I find lecture or seminar notes?

These can be found on Study Direct. You can see which courses have this resource by the Study Direct symbol shown beside the module details on your Sussex Direct pages.

To access these sites you will need to use your normal University login and password.

Transfers

Can I change my modules?

You can change your optional and elective modules up until the end of the second week of term, as long as places are available on your preferred modules and you have passed any pre-requisite modules. Your Course Co-ordinator(s) will be able to tell you which modules are available to you and change your modules for you. Please note you cannot change your core modules.

Can I change my degree course?

Transferring to another degree course may be approved in exceptional circumstances if you meet the entry criteria and space is available. Transfer requests may be submitted up until the end of the second week of term by completing a request form. (Forms will not be available after this date.)

Please note the rules have changed for students studying on a Tier 4 visa. If you need to extend your time in the UK and therefore extend your visa, the Home Office now requires that students leave the UK to do so. There is no longer the option for Tier 4 students to remain in the UK whilst extending their visas for study purposes. Please contact International Student Support for advice - email: immigration@sussex.ac.uk. 

Undergraduate Resits

Have I progressed?

You can find out whether you have progressed by checking your ‘Module Results’ page in Sussex Direct.

I've been given a trailed resit. What does this mean?

You have been allowed to progress to the next stage of your course, but you still have one or two modules from last year that you need to pass. You’ll be entered for second resits, and you should take them if possible. If you don’t pass the resits then you may not have enough credits to qualify for your degree at the end.

If you are struggling to understand the modules you have failed and are worried that you won’t be able to pass the resits, please contact your Module Convenors or your Academic Advisor and ask for help.

I have been asked to temporarily withdraw (TWD) and take resits. Why?

You do not currently have enough credits to progress to the next stage of your course. The Exam Board has decided that you should temporarily withdraw from your studies now and take resits in August 2018. In the meantime you should revise the modules you failed, and do your best to prepare for the resits.

I have been given the choice of either temporarily withdrawing or repeating the year. What's the difference?

If you decide to temporarily withdraw (TWD) then you will not be attending lectures or seminars in 2017/18, you will just take resits in August. If you decide to repeat the year, then you will do the modules again; you will be expected to attend all teaching sessions and take the assessments – the marks you achieved last year will no longer count.

You are strongly advised to discuss this with your Academic Advisor or the Director of Student Experience before making a decision.

What is a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) / Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)?

These are awards for students who have not achieved enough credits for an Honours degree and who cannot be given any further resit attempts. They are awarded to students who have passed 240 credits of taught modules (DipHE) or 120 credits of taught modules (CertHE), in recognition of the credits you have achieved at Sussex.

If you have not been given an Honours degree and are worried about telling your family or potential employer about your results, our Student Advisors can support you through this – please contact the Student Centre for help.

How can I get more feedback on my work?

Markers provide feedback on all assessments in Sussex Direct, but if you need more information then please check Study Direct as well – markers sometimes add extra feedback in the module site. If you have any questions about the feedback you have received, please contact the module convenor directly. Don’t forget to tell them your candidate number and exactly which module and assessment you’re referring to.

I am unhappy with one of my marks and think it is wrong. Can I get it changed?

The academic judgement of examiners is not subject to appeal, so it is not possible for your work to be re-marked. However, the University has a robust checking mechanism in place to ensure that all marks are fair. A sample of assessed work on each module contributing to classification is moderated by another internal examiner and is then checked by an external examiner from a different university.

If you receive a disappointing mark, the best thing you can do is try to understand the marker’s decision. Read the feedback carefully, and if you need more information then contact the module convenor. If you believe there has been a procedural error during the marking, please ask the module convenor to investigate.

I am unhappy with the decision the Exam Board has made. What can I do?

You can apply to appeal against the Exams Board’s decision. Read full details on how to do this.

Please note you must make your appeal within 21 days of your results being published.

Other

How can I get an official letter to prove I am a registered student (for banks, council tax exemption, visas, etc.)

Undergraduates

The Student Centre issue letters for students who need to prove they study at Sussex. Find out more here.

If you require a non-standard letter, contact lifesci@sussex.ac.uk and we will do our best to assist.

Postgraduates and alumni

The Student Systems and Records Office issues all letters for postgraduates and alumni.

Where can I buy a photocopying card? Where can I recharge it?

Photocopy cards are available from the Library. There are machines available in the Library for recharging.

Who do I ask for reference letters for jobs, etc.?

Your Academic Advisor is the best person to go to for a reference, as they will have had regular contact with you throughout your University career. Requests for references are not usually refused, but it is polite to ask the proposed referee before sending in the request.