Are you looking for a university that dares to be different? One that has a distinguished tradition of challenging conventions? Since its foundation in 1961, the University of Sussex has been the sort of pioneering institution that has been proud to speak out on the issues that concern us, standing up for what they believe in. The Sussex culture of experimentation, creativity and innovation, transforms lives through education to benefit the world around us.
STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
The University of Sussex is an international University, with over 19,000 students from more than 150 countries. Internationally recognised research contributes knowledge, ideas and solutions to address the big issues facing our world and inspires the students to meet future global challenges. The single-site campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park, close to the sea and the exciting city of Brighton & Hove, is a stunning place to study and learn
HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
On 16 August 1961, the University of Sussex received its Royal Charter. This was an historic moment, not just for Sussex, but for higher education in the UK. Thet were the first of seven new universities established after the Second World War and they ad the freedom to offer a new type of learning. The University College of Sussex was established as a company in May 1959, and a royal charter granted on 16 August 1961 raised it to full university status, with Viscount Monckton installed as the first chancellor. The first fifty-two students were accepted in October 1961. The university quickly developed a reputation for radicalism and liberalism amongst its student population, but its reputation for academic excellence, research and community involvement has grown enormously since the early days.
SPECIALIST AREAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
Interdisciplinary, intellectual challenge and creative thinking have always been fundamental to a Sussex education. The university offers courses across the full spectrum of Arts, Humanities Science and applied Science, and offer courses as varied as Accounting and Finance, Social Work, Anthropology, Zoology and Medicine.
LIFE ON CAMPUS
With over 14 cafés, bars, and restaurants on campus students are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options. For foodie lovers the university also hosts a weekly farmer’s market and several international food stalls. Throughout the year there are cultural festivals, fairs and celebrations to get involved in while the Students’ Union organise Open Mic nights, poetry readings and concerts to keep you entertained.
Clubs and societies are a huge part of campus life and with over 180 to choose from-ranging from Aristotle Society to Zumba Club- there’s something for everyone. The diversity of nationalities and cultures making up the Sussex community forms the inspiration for putting on events that engage, educate and entertain and celebrate from raising awareness of global concerns through lectures to celebrating cultural festivals and putting on dance shows.
Students can register at the Health Centre on arrival with access to doctors, dentists and a pharmacy. There are also two supermarkets, a post office and two sports centres on campus for students to enjoy. With many of the students also living in campus accommodation it creates a warm, community feel to campus life.
STUDENT SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
The university wants students to feel happy, fulfilled, safe and secure during their studies and to grow and develop, not just as students but as people ready to go out in the world and make great changes. Whether students are concerned about their studies, need financial advice or have emotional or health concerns, the student support services can help. The university has a network of expert staff that includes support workers, mental health mentors, note-takers and dyslexia tutors. This is available for students who have support needs before they come to Sussex, or who develop a condition or become unwell during their studies.
The Student Centre offers support on a range of welfare issues. This team can help with concerns affecting study progress, health and wellbeing issues, money matters and improving your academic performance.
If you live in University-managed accommodation students can also speak to the Residential Life team. They offer welfare support and run a drop-in service on campus during the week. There is also an out-of-hours emergency support phone number to make sure you have all the help you need. Students can also get advice on disabilities, mental health conditions, autism spectrum conditions and specific learning difficulties through the specialist support services.
At Sussex, students will join an international community of students and staff from more than 140 countries. Support begins before students start at Sussex – their teams can help you apply for a visa and find out what to expect when you arrive.
Throughout your studies, you’ll be invited to activities and events to help you make new friends and settle into life in the UK. The university also provide careers support, including advice on visas and how to get a job in the UK.
To ensure students get the best possible start to life after University, Sussex offers specialist careers guidance and support. The Careers team will help students explore different career choices, develop your skills, and gain valuable experience in the workplace.
FACILITIES
The eleven different academic schools are housed in their own specialist buildings boasting world-class facilities and technology. Engineering students have access to 3D printers, thermal fluid labs and the formula student workshop while Media students can enjoy state of the art video and photo studios, audio and post-production labs and VR suites. Students can also borrow the digital and media equipment and the practical approach to teaching ensures that they are fully familiar with the use of all technical facilities and equipment. Teaching spaces range from large, spacious lecture theatres perfect for the most popular subjects and lectures to smaller classrooms allowing for in-depth discussion in small groups.
The library is open 24 hours to suit every student’s study schedule and the Student Centre provides one of several other study and co-working spaces on campus. Students can register at the Health Centre on arrival with access to doctors, dentists and a pharmacy. There are also two supermarkets, a post office and two sports centres on campus for students to enjoy. The Meeting House is a multi-denominational Chapel Centre for spirituality, prayer, counselling, music and socialising-a great space for somewhere quiet to reflect, rest or study.
SPORTS AND SOCIETIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
The Students Union represent all students, ensuring students’ voices (particularly those of the most vulnerable students) are heard and responded to by the University. They exist to improve the student experience, and they do this by running sports clubs, supporting student societies organising events and providing bars, cafes, jobs and shops for all the students.
Sussex has a diverse mix of student sports clubs with plenty of opportunity for competitive sport. There's something for everyone, with club activity ranging from Archery to Volleyball and Mountaineering to Surf and Snow.
Most clubs have weekly training sessions with expert coaches and compete in local, regional and national level competitions. For talented student athletes, Sports Scholarships are available to help development.
British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues are the highlight for many student teams, with Sussex frequently in the top 50 universities in the BUCS rankings. Sports clubs play fixtures on a Wednesday afternoon, and training times will depend on which club students join.
Sussex also offers over 180 student-led clubs and societies including country and cultural, academic, political and hobby-based societies. There are plenty to choose from and they are simple to join.
ACCOMMODATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
Sussex guarantees university managed accommodation to all first year students and international postgraduate students if students make their application by the relevant deadline.
The university has a mixture of en-suite and shared bathroom options available. All accommodations are self-catered, and students share a kitchen and communal living space with between 5-12 other students depending on which of the housing blocks they choose. Rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, wardrobe and other basic furnishings and each student has an allocated cupboard and refrigerator space in the communal kitchen. All campus accommodation options are no more than a 10-minute walk to the library and teaching buildings.
There are a range of different accommodation options on campus to cater for different budgets and requirements and allow their students to make payments in instalments. Accommodation costs include all bills (wifi, cleaning, utilities and security). Tenancies for undergraduate students are for 39 weeks allowing them to stay in accommodation over Christmas and Easter holidays. Tenancies for postgraduate students are 51 weeks in length covering the full duration of studies.
Students are free to rent in the private market in Brighton and the Housing team can offer guidance and advice on this.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Sussex is an international University, with over 19,000 students from more than 150 countries. internationally recognised research contributes knowledge, ideas and solutions to address the big issues facing the world and inspires students to meet future global challenges. Sussex also has extensive links to a number of institutions worldwide including Peking University, National Taiwan University and the University of Oslo. Students are actively encouraged to spend up to a year studying or working in another country and the majority of courses allow students to spend a semester or a year studying with a Global university partner.
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
At Sussex the Careers and Entrepreneurship team engage with local and national organisations and companies to ensure are student are career focused and have the opportunity to gain vital connections and skills needed for the workplace. Connections cover local and international businesses, the public and third sector as well as national and international policy makers.
Sussex collaborations have facilitated student internships, research projects and graduate employment with hundreds of organisations including:
- DC Storm
- IBM
- Rolls Royce
- Hewlett Packard
- American Express
- Pfizer UK
- Jaguar Land Rover
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNSHIPS
Sussex has one of the best study abroad programmes in the UK with over 140 universities worldwide to choose from. This includes high-ranking universities in the United States and study opportunities in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Students can apply to study abroad on all undergraduate courses (some offer a guaranteed study abroad year). Students can also choose to complete just a semester abroad if preferable.
There are plenty of destinations to choose from including English-speaking destinations like the USA or Australia, partner universities in Asia, all of which offer courses taught in English while selected universities in Europe (particularly Sweden, Norway, Germany, France and Spain) offer have academic courses in English.
EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Sussex helps students to prepare for their future. Students can attend skills workshops and courses as well as meet industry professionals for up to three years after graduation. Consultants help with career plans, skills development and experience and give advice on how to enter certain sectors and professions. Students can also attend skills development workshops and get advice from professionals and former Sussex students working in the sector.
At Sussex, students gain the skills for the graduate job market by going on a placement or internship with UK and international companies. This enables students to enhance their studies, gain invaluable experience and get a foot on the career ladder before they graduate.
If you want to start your own business, you can access support through the Entrepreneurship team. The Ideas Lab programme will guide you through idea generation, validating your idea, developing a value proposition, finances, marketing and delivering an elevator pitch and the Startup Sussex entrepreneurship competition gives you the chance to win up to £10,000 to fund your business or social enterprise idea and access high-quality support.
STUDY IN BRIGHTON
The Sussex campus has one of the most beautiful locations in Britain. Situated in rolling parkland, Sussex combines award-winning architecture with green open spaces. Sussex is well-served by train, bus and road while cycling is also popular. It is just nine minutes from the bustling city of Brighton, an hour from London and 30 minutes away from an international airport.
BRIGHTON
A sunny seaside city with the buzz of London – there can be few better places to be a student than Brighton. Brighton’s seafront is the ideal place to soak up the sun in the summer, or take refreshing walks on crisp, sunny days in the winter. Along the prom you’ll find cafés, bars and nightclubs, as well as beach and water sports.
The Lanes is a maze of alleyways crammed with quirky boutiques, antique jewellery shops and tempting cafés, bars and restaurants. North Laine has one of the largest selections of independent shops on England’s South Coast and is a perfect spot to grab a coffee and watch the world go by.
Music is a way of life in Brighton. Walk around the city and you might bump into legends past and present who’ve found a home in this unique location. With gigs every night of the week, you’re bound to find something for everyone. Or if festivals are your thing then there’s lots on offer, with England’s largest arts festival, the Brighton Festival, and The Great Escape, the UK’s leading showcase for new music
WHY STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
Students love the stunning location offering the best of the beach, countryside and city life. The interdisciplinary approach to the subject offer and teaching style means that students aren’t tied to one degree and can explore their subject with input from a multitude of subject areas. Finally, for if and when things do go wrong, students know that the support teams are there to help guide them though any problems.
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