The University offers a huge range of resources and study support across all our campuses to help you make the most of your learning experience.
The University has five libraries
Whether you need guidance on coursework or help finding an obscure journal, access to the internet or language lessons, we have the technology, services and resources to ensure you get the support you need.
During term time your academic advisor will always be on hand to offer advice and guidance.
Free wireless and networked high-speed internet access is widely available across all campuses and halls of residence, and in all the libraries.
The University has five libraries.
Specialist equipment and assistive technology are available for students with a disability, specific learning difficulty or chronic medical condition. The Wessex Needs Assessment Centre (WNAC) provides specialist assessments for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), many of whom are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA). Following assessment, students have access to ongoing support, advice and guidance.
Our Centre for Language Study offers resources and language courses for students and staff across the University. Equipped with the very latest technology, the Centre has courses and resources in a wide range of languages, including Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish. The main Language Resources Centre offers an extensive selection of publications, self-access materials, tutorials, audio-visual learning resources, reference materials and the latest multimedia software.
There are around 1,700 Windows PCs in dedicated rooms on all campuses and halls of residence.
The total library collection comprises over 1.6 million volumes, six million manuscripts and more than 8,000 current periodicals, of which 5,000 are available in electronic format.
In English we think it's important to provide individual student support. Every student is allocated a personal academic adviser from the teaching staff as a first point of contact for advice and help, and we've also developed a broader structure of student support to look after the welfare of our students as a group.
Academic advisers
All undergraduates are allocated a member of the academic staff as an 'academic adviser'; this member of staff acts as your personal point of contact within the discipline for help and support, particularly on matters affecting your work and student experience, and your general academic progress. Combined Honours students will be assigned an academic adviser either in English or in their other subject. Combined Honours students - particularly those whose academic adviser is not based in English - can also go to our Combined Honours co-ordinator for help and advice. The Combined Honours Co-ordinator for 2013-14 is James Jordan.
If you have queries specific to a particular module, however (e.g. advice on an essay topic or additional reading), you should consult your seminar tutor in the first instance.
All members of academic staff are available during their office hours and by appointment. They are also contactable by email.
Problems which significantly affect your work will normally be referred by your tutors or your academic adviser to the Examinations/Special Considerations Officers (first year: Laura Davies; second and final year: Karen Seymour (semester 1) and Mary Hammond (semester 2). More complex and difficult cases will be passed on to the School Senior Tutor, Julie Gammon; but you're also welcome to contact her directly by email, or make an appointment with her through Humanities' Student Office.
If you encounter any problems, however, which can't be sorted out within the Department, the Student Services Centre runs a procedure for student complaints and appeals.
The Staff Student Liaison Officer and Staff Student Liaison Committee
We have excellent relations with English's many energetic and enthusiastic student representatives. The main conduit for this is the Staff Student Liaison Committee, which is convened by the Staff Student Liaison Officer. The Staff Student Liaison Officer works closely with the Academic President for English, who is elected annually via the Students' Union, and with the student course representatives, who are elected by you. The Staff Student Liaison Committee meets formally every three weeks to discuss issues that students have raised with the course representatives. Through the Committee, you are able to communicate your thoughts, ideas and comments about any aspect of your degree. The Staff Student Liaison Officer and Academic President will represent these views to the rest of the Discipline and Faculty.
The Staff Student Liaison Officer for 2013-14 is Clare Gill.
Useful links
General reference Intute: Arts and Humanities An annotated guide to online resources in the humanities. JSTOR Selection of journal articles available online. MLA bibliography Access the library's alphabetical list of bibliographic databases. Intute Internet for English Online tutorial for staff and students includes an introduction to the main English literature websites/portals, and guidance on how to use and evaluate them. Voice of the Shuttle Guide to online resources in the humanities; see particularly 'Literature (in English)' for a conveniently-organised list of resources.
Writing and study skills Bristol University Writing Style Site An excellent general-purpose writing skills site. Introduction to traditional grammar A descriptive guide aimed at students of medieval literature, but more generally relevant. MHRA Style Guide This is the style guide recommended by English. It isn't expensive to buy, but you can download a copy of it if you prefer. Southampton Study Skills pages, including the Study Skills Toolkit and a Guide to Academic Integrity
See also our 'Punctuation guide', downloadable from the right-hand column of this page.
Evaluating websites Evaluating websites for academic use General guidelines from the University of Berkeley, CA. See also the 'Intute Internet for English' tutorial above for more specialist guidance.
SUSSED
SUSSED is a secure site which provides students, faculty and administrative staff with Internet services. This is where you can check email, log into the student record system self service pages, access learning materials and join the University's virtual communities.
On SUSSED you can locate useful information and resources such as the University Calendar, the Quality Handbook and other education support materials.
SUSSED
Student support
Student mentoring Humanities offers an e-mentoring service for first-year students, and runs a Facebook group for peer mentoring.
Study skills You can make appointments with your academic advisor and your seminar tutors for advice on the active development of your study skills.
English Society Making the social side of studying English at Southampton as entertaining and rewarding as possible.
