Please take a moment to review the information on this page before beginning your studies with us. This will help you make a successful start to your university journey.
If you have any questions, please email AR-CLAS-ESE@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
Undergraduates - how can I tell you about my language choices?
Students on International Media and Communication Studies BA
Your course includes studying a language. This language is compulsory in year 1 and 2, and optional in your final year. You can choose from nine different European and Asian languages at a range of levels, depending on your previous experience. You must take the same language throughout the course.
Please let us know what language you wish to take, by completing the language choice form so we can get this added to your record before you arrive. The deadline for submitting your choice is Sunday 15 September.
Language choice form - tell us your language choice
If you want to discuss your options before submitting your language choice, the Language Centre have organised an informal online drop-in session where you can talk to staff and find out more about language study and the options available.
- Session date: Friday 13 September, 2–3pm
Join the Language Centre drop-in session
Postgraduates - how can I tell you about my language choices?
Students on International Media and Communication Studies MA
Your course includes studying a language. You can choose from nine different European and Asian languages at a range of levels, depending on your previous experience.
Please let us know what language you wish to take, by completing the language choice form so we can get this added to your record before you arrive. The deadline for submitting your choice is Sunday 15 September.
Language choice form - tell us your language choice
If you want to discuss your options before submitting your language choice, the Language Centre have organised an informal online drop-in session where you can talk to staff and find out more about language study and the options available.
- Session date: Friday 13 September, 2–3pm
Join the Language Centre drop-in session
Undergraduates - how can I make the best start to my studies?
It's common to worry about managing your university studies. Many new students feel this way. These activities are designed to ease your transition into university.
Faculty of Arts writing cafes
The Faculty of Arts writing café helps you improve your academic writing skills. The Libraries’ Learning Development Team deliver the workshops which cover topics such as time management, essay planning, referencing, and reflective writing. These optional workshops will run every Thursday afternoon during the autumn term. They’re perfect for preparing for your first assignments. You will receive a free hot drinks voucher at your first session of the term.
The most beneficial part was being able to talk about what we find difficult in critical writing and get proper advice.
Previous attendee
Have a question about writing cafes? Please email AR-CLAS-ESE@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
Learning development workshops
When your Welcome Week induction timetable is published you will see workshops advertised which will be useful in your first few weeks at university. We will also advertise these through your weekly email bulletins throughout the year.
Postgraduates - how can I make the best start to my studies?
Feeling nervous about higher level study is common. You can ease into postgraduate study with the activities below.
Postgraduate writing courses
The PGT academic writing and reading course involves four taught sessions. It aims to help new postgraduate students develop their academic voice. This course is open to all new PGT students, but we highly recommend it for students who may require English-language support.
Have a question about the postgraduate writing course? Please email AR-CLAS-ESE@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
Being part of an academic community
When your Welcome Week induction timetable is published you will see the Being Part of an Academic Community sessions. In this session we will look at the structure of the university, timings of the university year, engaging with academic events in your area and feeling empowered as a postgraduate student.
How will I find out course-related information?
Find out below how you can stay informed about what’s happening on your course during Welcome Week and once your studies begin.
Welcome Week induction timetable
We’ve put together a Welcome Week induction timetable for you. It will be available in early September. The activities on your induction timetable will include meeting key academic staff from your course and other students. It’s important that you attend these events.
Weekly bulletins and email
Important course-based information will always be emailed to your university email address. We will also email you weekly bulletins. They will contain valuable information about opportunities while you study with us.
Moodle community hubs
Moodle is our virtual learning environment. You will use it to access all your teaching and learning resources and submit assignments during your studies. You will be enrolled onto a Moodle page for each module you study.
You will be enrolled onto your Moodle community hub page. This is a page full of information and resources tailored specifically to your school/department. Updated throughout the year, it includes information on:
- how to contact your lecturers
- the latest events relevant to you
- how to choose your modules
- how you can help build community in your school/department
- …and much more
You should be automatically enrolled on your community hub. A self-enrol option is also available.
We encourage you to look at your Moodle community hub as soon as possible after you've registered, to ensure you have access to key information straight away.
You can access Moodle three weeks before your course start date.
First you will need to register with the university.
You will be able to access Moodle the next working day after you have registered.
Please note it may take up to three days after you have registered for your mandatory modules to appear.
What should I do if I need help?
There are a wide range of people and services to support your academic studies and wellbeing.
Welcome Week stands
During Welcome Week, the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies (CLAS) Education and Student Experience (ESE) team will have a welcome desk in the CLAS common room, B10, Trent Building. We can help with any queries around your department induction schedule, your personal tutor, peer mentoring, and the student rep system.
Personal tutor meetings
All students are assigned a personal tutor who is an academic staff member in your department. Your personal tutor is your first port of call for academic, pastoral, or general queries and will be there to support you with both academic and personal matters, take an interest in your progress, and offer guidance on your personal development. They can also be a gateway to other forms of help and support (academic and pastoral) at the university.
Be ready
Bookmark these pages:
How does the Faculty of Arts listen to the student voice?
We put the student voice at the heart of what we do. Find out below how we listen to the views of students and act on their feedback.
Student and staff forums
As a student, you can shape decisions in many ways. One way to get involved in student voice is to sign up to be a rep. You will represent student views at student staff forums (SSF’s). Reps gather feedback from students on their course. They discuss it with key academic staff at these meetings.
The Arts Education and Student Experience (ESE) team also attend student staff forums. They also run activities to help you in your role as a rep.
Information for specific student groups
Disabled students
The university has dedicated support for students with disabilities. This includes those with:
- long-term medical condition
- autistic spectrum conditions
- specific learning differences (for example dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or ADHD)
- mental health difficulties
Whether you received dedicated support before or not, Disability Support Services have a range of information and guidance to help.
You also have a dedicated Disability Officer in your home school for any course-related questions. Contact them by emailing clas-dlo@nottingham.ac.uk.
Be ready
Bookmark these pages for students with a disability:
Mature students
The Faculty of Arts sends dedicated emails to support mature students throughout the academic year. You don’t need to sign up to these emails, if you’re an undergraduate student over 21 when you enrol, you should receive them. If you have any questions about this, you can send us an email at ar-foa-mat-students@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
The faculty also organises mature student socials. To find out more about these, or to suggest other ways we could support mature students, please get in touch via email at ar-foa-mat-students@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
When you apply for the study buddy scheme or peer mentoring programme, you can request to be paired with other mature students. We'll try to match you if possible.
Be ready
Bookmark these pages for mature students:
Students of Black Heritage
Grit Black Leaders Programme
The University of Nottingham has partnered with Grit Breakthrough Programmes. Together we offer a personal development and coaching programme for students of black heritage. The programme is delivered through a series of workshops. These workshops aim to empower students to identify personal strengths, skills and passions, and develop confidence to become resilient leaders. It’s a great opportunity to meet other students of black heritage to make friends, network, and celebrate identity. The workshops are led by black coaches.
On a personal level, this experience has been truly transformative. It has significantly boosted my confidence and sense of belonging, empowering me to step into my leadership potential with clarity and purpose.
Feedback from a previous workshop attendee
University of Nottingham students describe their experiences on the Grit Black Leaders Programme.
If you are eligible for the programme, you will be emailed when you arrive. You can also express your interest by contacting us at AR-UoN-Grit-Leaders@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.
Don’t forget to look out for Grit at the SU Welcome Fair.
Black Industry Connections and Empowerment Programme
The Black Industry Connections and Empowerment Programme (BICEP) is designed to help students of black heritage expand their personal and professional networks, meet inspiring black role models working in a variety of industries and find empowerment and community during university. Find out more ahead of the 2024/2025 programme online.
Black Sport Collective
Driven by the black student sport officer and student ambassadors, the Black Sport Collective aims to:
- Celebrate the achievements of black students within sport at the University of Nottingham
- Highlight the stories and achievements of black people in sport to inspire the next generation of athletes, leaders, and sports industry professionals here
- Develop partnerships with organisations and societies to offer additional opportunities for black students through sport and leadership
The Black Sport Collective brings together a range of opportunities for black students at the university - both sporting and non-sporting.