Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants sometimes ask the School if any particular A-level subject will put a candidate at a disadvantage when applying to us. The School's policy is not to discriminate between applicants on the basis of which A-level subjects they have studied (apart from the basic requirement of an A in A-level English for all courses except Viking Studies). You should choose the subjects you find most interesting, and/or those where you think you would most succeed. Please note that this does not include General Studies, Critical Thinking, or Citizenship.
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We sometimes accept transfers, normally into the first year, provided that we have spaces available. Please email english-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk and include your GCSE and A-level grades, the results of any assessments taken on your current course, and an outline of your reasons for requesting a transfer.
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Yes, the School's pre-arrival reading list is available here.
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Teaching is mainly in the form of seminars and lectures, with small group tutorials or workshops on some modules. In addition, all tutors have office hours when students can talk privately with them about their work. These forms of instruction are very different from the sort of teaching you've probably encountered so far in school or college. A major difference from work done for AS/A2 level is the speed at which the course moves. Whereas, before, a novel may have occupied your attention for several weeks, at university you'/ll be expected, say, to cover a new novel every week or fortnight. The key to success is your own individual reading and research: preparing well for lectures and seminars, and then taking the ideas you encounter further in your own time.
Seminars
Seminars give you the chance to discuss and question the material presented in lectures in a friendly and informal environment. You will be taught with a group of fellow students, with discussion focusing on a text or topic you've previously prepared. Seminars provide a great place to discuss your ideas and to think through issues with the support of your peers. Students often establish friendships through seminar groups, as well as learning more about other people's ideas.
Lectures
Lectures will provide you with a stimulating but accessible overview of what you are studying that week. They are great for conveying information that is not readily available in books to a large number of people, often giving you the opportunity to hear a significant (perhaps as yet unpublished) argument. Most modules combine lecture and seminar instruction, so you will have a chance to discuss and question the material presented in lectures.
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Assessment for your degree is based on a combination of coursework (including essays but also less formal kinds of writing for some modules), presentations and formal examinations; the precise assessment set varies from one module to another. The first year is a qualifying year, so only the assessments in your second and final years contribute to your degree.
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Yes. Single honours students, and Joint honours students without a year abroad as part of their degree, have the option of spending the second semester of their second year abroad. This can be at one of our Universitas 21 partners, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver or the University of Auckland, or at one of our Erasmus exchange partner universities: Heidelberg, Helsinki or Venice. Viking Studies students may spend a semester at the University of Oslo, Norway or Århus, Denmark.
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The University of Nottingham is committed to promoting access for students who have a disability, specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) and/or a long-term medical condition. Services provided by the University aim to enable students to fulfil the inherent requirements of the course as independently as possible.
Students who have a disability, specific learning difficulty or long-term medical condition should contact Academic Support as early as possible to ensure that support is available from the start of the degree. You can also contact the School's Disability Liaison Officer, Wenonah Barton. Another useful source of information is The University's Disability Statement which lists services, facilities and opportunities available throughout the University.
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If you firmly accept your offer to study at Nottingham and submit your accommodation application by 1 August, the University will guarantee you a place in University accommodation in your first year. See the Students at the University website for further information about accommodation.
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Making your studies affordable is a key priority at The University of Nottingham and the University has designed a bursary scheme which helps undergraduate students across the broadest possible income range. The University is offering one of the most generous schemes in the country. So if you haven’t done so yet, try out the Financial Estimator on the University's website to give you an idea of how much it will cost to study here and where you can apply for financial support.
The University offers bursaries to all entrants from non-traditional routes (including, eg, Access courses), whose residual household income is below £42,500 annually. This is in addition to other bursaries for which you might also be eligible.
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What opportunities are there for Postgraduate study?
After undergraduate study many of our students wish to take their studies further. Some take up postgraduate courses in other universities, whilst many stay in or come to this School to embark on a Masters or Research Degree.
Our postgraduate students work on a wide range of topics, from the study of Old English vocabulary to women writers and the Second World War, or the sensation novels of the 1860s, or language and gender in higher education. There are at present approximately 100 research students in the School and 60 on taught Masters courses.
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What are the university term dates?
The University's term and semester dates are available on-line.
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The Student Services Centre at the University can provide you with information and support throughout your studies. The Centre is located on the University Park Campus and includes:
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How do I find out about the tuition fees for my course?
You will find information about tuition fees on the University fees website. If you are studying part-time please note that the tuition fee rate will normally be half the published amount. For distance learning tuition fees please refer to the Distance Learning section of this website.
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Is there any computer provision and support on campus?
The University has a large number of computer rooms across all campuses to provide on-site, 24 hour, computer access for all students. There is wireless access, network points in study bedrooms in halls of residence and a laptop loan facility with University computer service points across campus. Further information is available from the Information Services (IS) website.
If you need help with information systems or computers then the University has help and support from Information Services (IS). A member of their support team is available in the Student Services Centre, Portland Building, University Park to help with any queries you may have or you can find someone to help you at the Hallward Library reception desk. You can also telephone or email the Student IT Helpline.
t: 0115 951 3333
e: student-it-helpline@nottingham.ac.uk
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What are the library facilities like?
The University has extensive library holdings for students in English Studies in the University libraries. The main holdings are in the Hallward library as well as collections for research on DH Lawrence, medieval manuscripts, and the important Portland Literary Collection of late seventeenth and early eighteenth century manuscripts. These are housed in the Manuscripts and Special Collections.
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Are there any student activities and societies?
Many of the School's students work on the University's award-winning student newspaper and campus radio station.
There is also the English Society, run by and for students in the School of English Society. The Society is very active in the School and organises balls, sporting events and theatre trips as well as broadening their charity links, in particular working with a local secondary school to help students develop their communication skills. Great opportunities to develop your CV and get involved. The English Society in also on Facebook.
The University also has a Poetry and Spoken Word society, who have regular open-mic nights.
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I am a student from outside the United Kingdom, is there specific information for me?
We have a section on the School website for International Students that will help you with queries about your fees, language tuition, living in Nottingham and support for international students and their families travelling to, and during your studies at, Nottingham. Information about admissions, entry requirements, courses etc. is available under the relevant section for Prospective Students (Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research.)
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Is there any childcare provision?
The University provides excellent childcare facilities for children from the age of six weeks to 12 years.
There are nursery facilities, a holiday playscheme and toy library. For further information, please contact Childcare services.
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What is the campus like?
The beautiful University Park Campus is located three miles outside Nottingham city centre and is easy to reach by bus, bicycle, car or even by foot! The campus was donated to the University by Sir Jesse Boot (founder of Boots the Chemist) in 1922 and the School of English is on the ground floor of the Trent Building. All teaching in the School of English is located on the University Park campus and students are able to walk to classes as well as enjoy lakeside walks and even boating on the lake during the summer months! Visitors on Open Days are able to appreciate the size and beauty of the campus. There are also videos of the campus locations and gardens on-line.
The Friends of University Park was formed in 2004 to encourage the local community to visit University Park and to enjoy its vast gardens and grounds. Each year the group organises a series of events, garden walks, special open days and talks to help visitors enjoy the park.
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What is it like living in Nottingham?
The city of Nottingham is an exciting, vibrant, cosmopolitan city in the East Midlands with endless sources of entertainment including festivals, theatre, live music venues, pubs and clubs, cinemas and restaurants and cafes to cater for every taste. The University website about Nottingham life has lots of information, videos and links to Facebook to give more information about:
• our location
• transport and travel
• events and nights out
• our history and culture
• shopping and dining
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Is there an equal opportunities policy?
The University aims to create the conditions whereby students and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, age, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, trade union membership, family circumstance, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction.
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University Policy Statement on Dress Code
The University of Nottingham welcomes the diversity of appearance that people from different religious and belief backgrounds can bring.
However, there may be health and safety or professional considerations that would restrict certain modes of dress in particular contexts for example when working on placement.
In such cases, it will be necessary for the University to consult with staff/students and placement providers who may be affected by a restriction.