The emphasis and objectives of the programmes are clearly indicated to applicants, and students confirmed that the courses had been what they had expected. However, documentation relating to the more detailed aspects of the provision is less good. With provision in music emanating from two schools, a modular but not semesterised system, plus the flexibility brought about by options, the system is complex, and the assessors feel that the documentation could be improved in clarity and consistency. The MA programme reflects the specialist interests of members of the Music Subject Group and is endorsed by students for this reason. Postgraduate teaching at Sussex has recently been reorganised into graduate schools, and there are plans to introduce a more structured research skills component, which the assessors would support.
Formal teaching is complemented by occasional research talks.
These have an important role in widening the student learning experience, especially as there are relatively few staff. The assessors consider that these talks might beneficially be organised on a more regular basis. Another distinctive feature of the provision is the requirement that all students engage in practical composition to enable them to demonstrate fully their understanding of the stylistic and structural principles of music. Assessment is appropriate to the courses. External examiners' reports confirm this.