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 us.
Undergraduates - make the best start to your 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.
Pre-arrival reading suggestions
Reading and viewing a wide range of different sources will be a central part of your studies. Once you arrive, you will have access to multiple libraries and thousands of e-books, until then we have put together an optional undergraduate reading list.
Archaeology reading suggestions
- Renfrew, C. & Bahn, P., Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. London: Thames & Hudson (7th edition, 2016)
- Greene, K. & Moore, T., Archaeology: An Introduction, London: Routledge (5th edition, 2010)
- Hunter, J. & Ralston, I., The Archaeology of Britain. An introduction from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Industrial Revolution, London & New York: Routledge 1999 (also 2011 edition)
Classics reading suggestions
- Henderson, J. and Beard, M., Classics: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2000: ISBN 978-0192853851)
- Morales, H., Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2007: ISBN 978-0192804761)
- Greek: C.W. Shelmerdine and S.C. Shelmerdine, Introduction to Greek, 3rd ed. 2020, ISBN 978-1-58510-960-9
- Latin: Dickey, E., Learn Latin from the Romans (Cambridge 2018: ISBN 978-1107140844)
Peer mentors are second or third-year students that can help you settle into university life. All students will be sent an email in late summer to select their mentor.
View the Course Community page for more information.
Learning development workshops
When your Welcome Week induction timetable is published, you will see a Transition to Higher Education workshop designed to help you develop university-level study skills. Throughout the year, we will also share additional Learning Development workshops via our weekly bulletins to support your ongoing skills development.
Postgraduates - make the best start to your studies
Feeling nervous about higher level study is common. You can ease into postgraduate study with the activities below.
Academic Language and Communication Skills
The Faculty of Arts works closely with the Academic Language and Communication Skills (ALACS) team to support our postgraduate students. We encourage you to explore their range of courses and services, which are designed to enhance your academic skills and help you succeed in postgraduate study. We highly recommend the ALACS team for students who may require English-language support.
Transition to Postgraduate Study
When your Welcome Week induction timetable is published, you will see the Transition to Postgraduate Study session. In this session we will look at the structure of the university, timings of the university year, how to engage with academic events in your area and feel empowered as a postgraduate student. Even if you have studied with us before, this session is an essential step in equipping you with the skills needed to succeed as a postgraduate student.
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 at the end of August. 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, even if you have studied with us before.
Bulletins and email
Important course-based information will always be emailed to your university email address. We will also email you regular bulletins. These will be sent on Tuesdays by your local Education and Student Experience Team and will contain valuable information about opportunities while you study with us.
Moodle Community Hubs
Moodle is our virtual learning environment for teaching and learning resources. You will be automatically enrolled on your Moodle Community Hub page the day after you complete your registration. This page has information and resources tailored specifically to your school/department. We recommend you look at your Moodle Community Hub as soon as possible after you've registered. Joint honours students will be enrolled on both Community Hubs relevant to their degree.
Help and support
There are a wide range of people and services to support your academic studies and wellbeing.
Welcome Week stands
From Monday 21 September to Wednesday 23 September, the Education and Student Experience Team will have a Welcome Desk in the Humanities Building from 10am-1pm. We can help with any queries around your department induction schedule, contacting your personal tutor, peer mentoring, and the student rep system. The Humanities Education and Experience Office (B33/B34) will also be open between 10am and 12pm, and 2 and 4pm on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 of September, where someone will be happy to help you.
Personal tutors
All taught students are assigned a personal tutor who is an academic member of staff in your department. Your personal tutor is your first point of contact for academic, pastoral, or general queries. Your personal tutor will be there to support you, take an interest in your progress, and offer guidance on your personal development. They can also refer or direct you to other forms of help and support at the university.
A short guide to tutoring will be available on your Moodle Community Hub.
Specific student groups
Support and resources for mature students, disabled students and students of black heritage can be found on the Information for Specific Student Groups page.