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Studying at SUMS: An Introduction

During Intro Week you may feel swamped with information about different aspects of student life, but we hope that you’ll take the time to read through this short guide to studying at Sheffield University Management School. It won’t tell you everything you need to know and you’ll find more detailed information on our department website and student handbooks. This page is just a starting point. It will give you a sense of what you can expect as a SUMS student, and also what’s expected of you.

What to expect in the first few weeks

Intro Week is normally very busy and you will have a lot to think about. Here is a check-list of the things you need to do in these first few days:

Confirm your pre-selected modules and receive your departmental timetable (this will be confirmed by the end of the week)
Where appropriate, attend meetings with your dual department.
Complete your University registration.
Register with the University Health Service.
Meet your personal tutor.

How is university study different from school or college?

Many students find that studying at degree level is rather different from their experience at school or college. Here are some key differences:

Greater freedom to explore the topics and questions that interest you.
New kinds of teaching styles and methods, including lectures, seminars, and office hours.
Fewer classes scheduled on your timetable - and more independent reading and research.
More emphasis on you taking responsibility and asking for help for your own work when you need it.

How to do well in your degree

We hope that you use your first year to build the skills and confidence you need to flourish on your degree and to get the best possible results you can. So what is the key to success?

Take responsibility for your learning. Information is power - make sure you read the information on your Programme Handbook; read your module handbooks, and do check and read your University emails - this is our main way to contact you and to share important information.
Ask when you need help. Academic staff hold drop-in sessions (‘office hours’) each week and at these times you do not need to make an appointment beforehand. Seminar tutors will be happy to answer further questions you may have about material covered in the seminars or discuss ways you might improve your oral or written work. Personal tutors are also ready to discuss your general academic progress.
Learn your way around the library and electronic resources. The reading lists for modules will include a mixture of books and journal articles. If you are struggling to access reading materials, speak with your seminar tutor or ask a member of library staff about further induction sessions.
Check what’s expected. At the start of any module, look carefully at the materials provided on Blackboard. Make sure you know what kind of preparation is expected for each class, how you will be assessed, and when the deadlines for assessed work are.
Try to improve your essay-writing. 301 Academic Skills Centre provide guidance on a wide range of study skills you will need to master at university. They have a fantastic programme for new students called Level up your skills. Try to find the time to work through this course.
Aim high. You’ve all done well to get here and you should have high expectations of yourself. We reward excellence and there are a number of prizes for top students at the end of your degree.

What to do if things go wrong

Your Programme Administrator is often a good first port of call. You will be introduced to them during Introduction Week and their details are also in the Programme Handbook. If you want to change a module, find a room, or simply need help with any general queries, our friendly support staff can help. The Student Experience Office can also be found in the centre of the Management School, or you can email sums@sheffield.ac.uk.

Personal tutors are always ready to talk about your academic progress or personal problems which are affecting your studies. If you have doubts about whether you have taken the right module/degree course, are struggling with the workload, anxious about money, or worried about your academic progress, come and speak with your personal tutor. Sometimes students feel the need to break from their studies for medical or personal reasons (called a Leave of Absence) and your personal tutor can discuss this.

Your personal tutor may not always be able to help personally, but they will help you find more specialised sources of support if needed. You may be advised to speak with the Student Support Officer or the Senior Tutor, or you might be directed towards one the of University’s specialist services.

What should I do if I am unable to attend University?

During your time at University it is almost inevitable that illness will affect your studies at some point. You might also experience personal circumstances which affect your work. Don’t panic - here are some tips on what to do:

If you miss a seminar please make sure you send an email to your seminar tutor explaining why you are unable come to class. You can "self-certify" for absences lasting up to a week.
If you are absent for more than a week, or if you are experiencing problems (medical or personal) that are having an ongoing affect on your studies, you should submit an Extenuating Circumstances form.
If these circumstances are due to illness you should visit the University Health Service and complete the Online Extenuating Circumstances form, to receive medical evidence.
If there are health or serious personal difficulties which mean you are struggling to meet an essay deadline, make sure you ask for an extension in good time – we are sympathetic if there are genuine problems. For extensions, you should complete the extenuating circumstances form and request an extension. The Student Experience Office will consider your request and respond to you.
Students who are unable to attend an exam because of illness should contact the Student Experience Office BEFOREHAND (wherever possible). Exam Boards will require medical evidence.
Your personal tutor will be happy to meet and discuss any concerns of an academic or personal nature. T

'I only need to get 40 at Level 1, don't I?'

Some students see the first year purely as a time to have fun, rather than concentrating on their academic work. It is true that the marks gained at Level 1 don’t count towards your final degree classification. And we certainly hope you enjoy your first year! But – and this is a big BUT – students who don’t put the work in sometimes come unstuck. No one wants to be back in an exam hall in August, paying to resit exams, so it’s worth thinking about the following:

In order to pass a module, you need to make a reasonable attempt with every piece of work and attend every exam. A missed or failed essay/exam may result in a resit fee.
If an essay is late, marks will be deducted and this can result in an essay failing. Even a few minutes delay will incur a penalty.
The University expects attendance throughout the whole of each semester and we record absence from seminars. Repeated absences without good reason will affect your overall mark and you will be asked to meet with your Programme Director.
Remember you need to pass all of your Level 1 modules in order to automatically progress to Level 2.

More important than all of the above is this: your first year is your opportunity to develop as a Management scholar. First-year marks do not affect your final degree result because we feel you need the time to find your feet. Use this year well and you will go into Level 2 confident that you know how to carry out research effectively, write coherent and persuasive essays, and discuss your ideas effectively in class.

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