School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies

Welcome to the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies (FAHACS)!

We are excited that you are joining a rich and vibrant community. You will have many opportunities to participate and contribute. This information will help you within your first week. We recognise you will have many questions. Here you will find everything you need to know about starting (or returning to) your studies.

Make sure you read the ‘All Students’ information first. This covers things like tasks you need to complete before the start of term, safety procedures on your course and where to go for more information or support.

Then scroll to the section that applies to you – ‘New Student’ or ‘Returning Student’. We have also included some helpful links at the bottom to direct you to anything else you might need.

If you are a postgraduate researcher, find your faculty welcome and induction information to help you get started.

Welcome from our Director of Student Education, Nick Cass:

TBC

All Students

What do I need to do before I arrive?

Both new and returning students must register and enrol onto optional modules online. It is important that you keep an eye on your University email. The University uses Outlook. You can find a Student Guide to Microsoft 365 including Outlook here.
Your university email is an important way for us to communicate with you. Please monitor your emails even before arrival.

We strongly encourage you to download the University App (Apple or Android) for further support throughout Welcome and Induction and beyond.

Other useful apps are:

Spacefinder: Search for and book study space across campus
Duo mobile security: You’ll need this when you log on to University systems like email and Minerva - Android | App Store
Safe Zone: Contact the University’s security team 24/7 if you feel unsafe or need help.
First Bus: Buy bus tickets on your phone, it’s cheaper than buying on the bus

What is the approach to teaching on my programme?

All teaching is now digitally enhanced, face to face learning. Teaching is delivered through a series of on campus lectures, seminars and tutorials as well as other face to face sessions for all programmes at all levels of study.

Where can I go for support?

Our Student Support Officer is Rae Sweeney who you can contact by email: FinEnquiries@leeds.ac.uk. Rae is able to have a confidential conversation with you in person or online during difficult times such as if you are unwell or something unexpected happens in your life.
For module choice, enrolment, Minerva and taught student support enquiries email FAHACSProgrammeSupport@leeds.ac.uk
For exam and assessment enquiries email FAHACSexams@leeds.ac.uk
For timetabling and tutorial allocation queries email FAHACSTimeTable@leeds.ac.uk

You can also approach your Programme Manager or Academic Personal Tutor for any support or guidance that you need.

2023-24 Programme Managers:

BA Fine Art and BA Fine Art ‘with’ programmes – TBC
BA History of Art, BA History of Art with Cultural Studies, MA Social History of Art – Dr Richard Checketts (R.S.Checketts@leeds.ac.uk)
BA Cultural and Media Studies – Dr Dibyadyuti Roy (D.Roy1@leeds.ac.uk)
MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies – Dr Robert Knifton (R.H.Knifton@leeds.ac.uk)
MA Arts Management and Heritage Studies – Dr Jade French (J.French2@leeds.ac.uk)
MA Critical and Cultural Theory – Dr Barbara Engh (B.Engh@leeds.ac.uk)
MA Fine Art – Dr Cesar Cornejo – (C.Cornejo@leeds.ac.uk)
Developing Teachers’ Research and Practice, Registrars: Training for the Future: Prof Abigail Harrison Moore (A.L.Moore@leeds.ac.uk)

WHAT DOES MY INDUCTION TIMETABLE LOOK LIKE?

We look forward to meeting you on Monday 25th September 2023. It is expected that you will be in Leeds from this date onwards. Your induction timetable is available on My Timetable and instructions on how to view this are available here.

There are a range of events throughout induction week to help familiarise you with the School and the staff on your programme. You will also be able to meet your fellow students.

There are some key events and these include:

A Welcome meeting with Programme Leaders for new students
Campus tours for new students
A level specific meeting with your Programme Leader
An enrolment and registration session for new students
A Student Education information session for new students
A Level 1 and Incoming Study Abroad Welcome Social at the Audrey and Stanley Burton Gallery. You are very welcome to attend from 4pm on Wednesday 27th September.

The FAHACS Student Education Service team will also be able to support you online and on campus throughout the week. They will be based in Room 1.11 in the Fine Art Building from Monday-Thursday between 2pm and 4pm and online on Friday between 1pm and 3pm.

How will I have my say on my programme and in the School?
There are a range of ways for you to contribute to the running of the School. New students will be able to put themselves forward to become Student Leaders. Student Leaders and School Representatives work closely with staff which forms a key way for students and staff to work together to build community. There is a Staff Student Partnership Forum which meets twice per semester.

Individually, students have a number of opportunities to comment and provide feedback on their modules. You can also approach your Programme Leader, Module Leader and Academic Personal Tutor at any time via email or during office hours.

There is also the opportunity at the end of every module for you to provide feedback which is a valuable part of the teaching and learning process. At the end of each module, you will receive an email inviting you to complete a survey about your module. It is very important to fill in these surveys so that modules can be improved for the future.

I’m a new student

How will I meet my Academic Personal Tutor? How will academic personal tutoring work?

You will have the opportunity to meet your Academic Personal Tutor in the first two weeks of teaching. You will also have individual meetings throughout the year and these will be arranged by your Academic Personal Tutor. You are free to contact your Academic Personal Tutor at any time throughout the year.

How will I find out more about my programme?

During Induction Week, you will meet your Programme Leader who will give you an overview of what to expect. This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

How will I get to know other students?

Induction Week and the first few weeks of teaching are opportunities for you to attend a range of events, lectures and seminars which give you the chance to meet people in different contexts.

Are there any specialist software or systems that I need for my programme and where do I find out information about it?

It is important that you develop a familiarity with Minerva which is the key virtual learning platform that the University uses. This is how you will access all of the information about your modules. The Student Guide for Minerva can be found here.
It may also be useful to look at the Student Guides to digital education systems here.

Any subject specific software requirements will be introduced to you in your programme introduction.

What is the role of course representatives and how do I volunteer?

Course representatives are called Student Leaders in FAHACS and are important in representing your views in the School. Student Leaders are empowered to make positive student-led change to improve the student experience. The role involves liaising with and representing your peers by participating in the Staff Student Partnership Forum. Student Leaders have the opportunity to organise social events and in recent years this has included film nights, pizza evenings and trips to museums and galleries.
Nominations for Level 1 and TPG Student Leaders will open in the first couple of weeks and voting takes place shortly after nominations close. Do keep an eye on your emails for both nominations and voting.

What else happens in the school beyond my modules?

We have an active group of student leaders who organise socials and a student-led art magazine: Artifex. Current Student Leaders are also exploring the possibility of a School-based Art Society to complement the many societies offered via Leeds University Union.

How does assessment work on my programme and what support is provided with academic skills?

Different modules use different forms of assessment. They are set out in the module catalogue and will be explained by your tutors. Your tutors will give you full support for assessments and offer advice. Assessments are weighted and your final mark for all modules is a combination of all the marks for required assessments for that module.

We offer a range of academic support including:

As new students, a key part of teaching will be to introduce you to the way that assessment works at university.

I’m a returning student

How will my programme be delivered this year?

All teaching is now digitally enhanced, face to face learning. Teaching will be delivered through a series of on campus lectures, seminars and tutorials as well as other face to face sessions for all programmes at all levels of study.