Student Experience Fund (SEF)
The Student Experience Fund is a grant offered to students within the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies. It aims to support student initiatives which will enhance the student experience, as well as contribute to a sense of academic community.
Individual students, groups or societies can apply for funding, and it can cover events such as trips to academically relevant destinations, and events designed to bring together members of the academic community.
Email us with any questions
Download forms and documents
Application form for the SEF
Guidelines for the SEF
Report form for the SEF
Previous successful funding bids
Liberal Arts Leavers Hoodies - July 2022
The Student Experience Fund assisted the first graduating cohort of Liberal Arts students to order leavers’ hoodies to help commemorate their years as a Liberal Arts student. With the Student Experience fund, the overall cost of the hoodies was reduced, making the hoodies more accessible and affordable for the students. The students felt this was a great way to celebrate their achievements.
Language study visit to Belgrade, Serbia - April 2018
The student experience fund helped to subsidise a trip for students of Russian and Slavonic Studies to the Azbukum Language School in Belgrade, Serbia. This school specialises in teaching Serbian as a foreign language to a variety of people, not only to students, but also to people who have moved to the country for work. Azbukum organised four hours of lessons per day , where students from two levels, beginners and intermediate, could practice intensively with a native speaker and qualified teacher of Serbian language. The very small size of these groups was of great benefit to the students, who were usually taught in language groups larger than this back in Nottingham.
Spring break quiz - May 2018
American and Canadian Studies staff hosted a staff verses student quiz which provided a good opportunity to develop a collegiate atmosphere within the department. The event itself was an unequivocal success with numbers increasing compared to the previous year. Feedback was positive with many students commenting on the fact that the event offered an opportunity to talk with staff and peers in a new environment. The event will continue to run next year.
Cultural Exchange Evening - December 2017
Postgraduate students in the school at various stages of research joined together to discuss their research developments and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere with food, drink and music. The evening also offered the chance for students to talk about non-academic related subject matter and develop new and existing relationships.
Sushi making experience - November 2017
Japan Club started as a cultural / language extracurricular activity in 2012, and the sushi making experience has been the most popular event it organises, supported by the Student Experience Fund. Each year new students of Japenese, not only those taking the module offered in the Language Centre, but also members of the public who are studying evening classes, are offered hands-on lessons in sushi making by a professional instructor. This brings the participants together and enhances their language and cultural experience.