At some point during or shortly after your time as a student in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing you will need a reference. This might be, for example, for a landlord, for a job application, or for another university course. Remember that a reference is a personal statement by someone who knows you (your referee). Institutions cannot give references: only people can. And that person cannot be your referee if they don't know you. Your advisor is the person you are most likely to use as a referee. You should make sure they are kept up-to-date with your studies, and, especially in your final year, you must discuss your plans for work or study after graduation with them, as most references will be more useful - and your chances of success therefore higher - if the referee can state that s/he has discussed your plans with you. The best way to be sure of positive references is to be polite and helpful. This means asking your advisor and any teachers who know you well whether they are happy for you to give their names as referees before you leave UEA. When you need to take up this offer, you should email your referee, providing them with the necessary information to write the reference. This will include:

• details of which of their classes you attended, if it's not your advisor
• your photo, especially if a while has passed since you last met, or you have a very common name
• your c.v
• details of the job or course you are applying for
• details of how the reference is to be provided, eg online (with the address), on a form (which you should include in your request), or as a personal character reference (giving the address to post it to)

University teachers are always happy to write references if these details are provided, and they are certain they know you.Your request should always go to your referee in person. Occasionally we get requests from past students which go to the secretary or general office, asking for someone to provide a reference. Such requests are unlikely to meet with success. We cannot choose your referees: only you can do this.