While starting a new course is exciting, it can also feel a little nerve wracking, particularly if it’s your first time in higher education or it’s been some time since you studied.
To help you prepare for the journey ahead, our Student Adviser Katy has put together a guide for anyone who’s been offered a place on a course with us.
Get accepted on a course
Once you’ve received the news you’ll be joining us at the University of Essex Online, and as your start date approaches, the Student Support team will be in touch. First, we’ll send you an email to introduce ourselves and let you know what to expect next. You’ll then receive a welcome call, where we can have a quick chat and discuss any questions you might have.
We’ll guide you through the first steps of your course, making sure you feel confident and ready to start, and that you don’t miss out on any important information.
You’ll hear from us a lot during the first weeks of the course, to make sure you have everything you need and to support you through your welcome week/induction diagnostic. We’ll also be available to assist you with non-academic enquiries throughout your whole course. No matter how big or small, we’re your first point of contact for any questions via email, phone or live chat.
Your first module
If you’re an undergraduate student, the first week of your course will be a Welcome Week. This is a great opportunity to explore the virtual learning environment (VLE), where you’ll access your modules and engage with fellow students. Importantly, Welcome Week will give you a chance to get used to online learning and provide some insight into the kind of activities you can expect throughout your course.
If you’re a postgraduate student, you’ll complete a two-week induction module where you’ll have the chance to learn how to navigate the VLE and become familiar with available resources. During this module, you can also participate in several activities which will help you prepare for future modules.
Learn to use the virtual learning environment (VLE)
The VLE is where you’ll access module resources, submit assignments and ultimately complete your course. To help you familiarise yourself with it, the Student Support Team hosts a live Welcome Session, where we talk you through how to navigate your way around the platform. There’s also a Q&A session at the end, so don’t worry if you miss something or have questions at this initial stage. You can also watch a recording of the session afterwards if you want to review any details.
Meet your classmates
The Welcome Session is a great opportunity for you to virtually meet your future classmates by introducing yourself in the chatbox. As we have students from over 150 countries, we understand that some of you may be unable attend, but there’s no need to worry. Here at the University of Essex Online, we try to be as flexible as we can, so there are plenty of other opportunities to introduce yourself to your classmates and begin building your online learning community. We also have Department Forums where we encourage you to post and get to know your fellow classmates!
We’re available throughout all these steps should you require any assistance. Our contact details can be found on the VLE and we’re always happy to hear from you.
If you haven’t yet submitted your application for one of our courses, just head over to our online application form to get started. Good luck!