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University of Sussex

Why choose University of Sussex?

The University of Sussex is a leading research-intensive university in the lively city of Brighton on the South Coast of the United Kingdom, located one hour away from London.

Ranked in the world's top 225 universities (QS World University Rankings 2024), the University has both an international and local outlook, with staff and students from more than 100 countries and frequent engagement in community activities and services.

Situated in the rolling parkland of the South Downs National Park and just a few minutes from Brighton - which has been ranked as the UK's happiest city for students (Student Living by Sodexo) - the campus combines award-winning architecture with green open spaces.

Sussex offers a multi-disciplinary Direct Enrol Study Abroad Semester and Year Program, with over 1,000 modules on offer, as well as the Sussex Undergraduate Summer School offering numerous modules designed, delivered and taught by Sussex faculty across the summer.

University of Sussex
City:
Brighton
Students:
17,300
International Students:
5,000
Min. SAT Score:
1300
Min. ACT Score:
26
Min. Age:
16
Additional Items:
  • Transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement
  • Language Requirement (English)
Application Steps
  • Choose your course
  • Check our academic entry requirements
  • Check our English language requirements
  • Apply through UCAS
  • Check fees, funding and support
  • Receiving your decision
  • Confirming your place

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

The University of Sussex offers comprehensive support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) students through various initiatives, resources, and student organizations. These efforts aim to create an inclusive and equitable campus environment, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for BIPOC individuals within the university community.
The University of Sussex is committed to providing robust support for LGBTQIA+ students, creating a safe and inclusive campus environment. Through its dedicated LGBTQ+ society, counselling services, and educational programs, the university works to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. These efforts contribute to a vibrant and respectful community that celebrates LGBTQIA+ individuals and their contributions.
We offer comprehensive support for neurodivergent students, recognizing the unique strengths and challenges they bring to the academic community. Through its Disability and Dyslexia Support team, specialized accommodations, and tailored resources, the university ensures that neurodivergent students can access an inclusive and accommodating learning environment. By promoting awareness, providing assistive technologies, and fostering a culture of understanding, Sussex strives to empower neurodivergent individuals to excel in their academic pursuits.
The University of Sussex is dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all students, offering a range of support services to accommodate diverse needs. With a commitment to inclusivity, the university provides accessible facilities, assistive technologies, and personalised accommodations through its Accessibility Services team. These efforts contribute to an environment where every student can fully participate in academic and extracurricular activities, promoting equal opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging for all members of the university community.

Impact 🌎

We are deeply committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, actively integrating eco-friendly practices into its operations, curriculum, and campus development. Through initiatives such as sustainable transportation options, waste reduction programs, and renewable energy projects, the university strives to minimise its ecological footprint. By engaging students, faculty, and staff in sustainability efforts, Sussex creates a culture of environmental responsibility that prepares future leaders to address global challenges.
The University of Sussex places a strong emphasis on ethical impact by fostering a culture of social responsibility and ethical awareness among its students and staff. Through interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and partnerships with ethical organizations, the university addresses pressing societal issues and seeks innovative solutions for a more just and sustainable world. By integrating ethics into academic programs and encouraging critical thinking, Sussex aims to empower individuals who are equipped to make positive ethical contributions to society.

Reviews

Annabelle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best semester yet!

I had the best time during my study abroad experience at the University of Sussex during the Autumn semester of 2025. I have made great friendships with other exchange students and have made a home away from home which I will always cherish. If you are looking to undertake a university exchange, I cannot recommend Sussex enough! Brighton is an amazing city closeby to the campus, and London is just a train ride away. The campus itself is very green and surrounded by the beautiful Stanmer National park so is a perfect choice for nature lovers.

Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for the review Annabelle. Great to hear how you enjoyed exploring Brighton & the Downs.

Carmen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The time of my life

During the time I spent in Sussex, I was happier than I have ever been. The classes were interesting, great teachers, and good vibes with my classmates. But for me, the people that I want to hold on to are my flatmates and a few other friends, who spent more time in my flat than in theirs at the end of the day. The friendships that I made in Sussex are so special. All the things we experienced together make them irreplaceable. It was tough leaving my family and everyone I love at home, but it was even tougher to come back.

But definitely an experience that I will always want to repeat, and grateful that I had the chance to experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
For me, the most surprising thing I did was not related to any particular place, but with myself. After a lot of time struggling with anxiety and having a lot of fears, going to study at Sussex made me heal so much that I found myself in so many situations that I would never have imagined I would be. Taking planes, trips, trains, going to clubs, trusting new people... I was the bravest I have ever been, and in return, I now have the best memories of my life.
Pros
  • Going out your comfort zone
  • Friendships
  • Exploring a new country
Cons
  • Food may be tricky at first
  • Not cheap
  • Is tough coming back home
Response from University of Sussex

It was great having you with us Carmen. Thank you for the review and great photo!

Auggie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Enjoy campus life!

My time at Sussex was unlike any other uni experience I've had thus far. Everyone was incredibly friendly, staff were helpful, and there was something fun to do around every corner. I am so incredibly proud to have had this opportunity, especially to have met the people I did. There's a small uni food court, bar and store which is convenient for late nights and early mornings. This is most certainly the most I've been able to grow while at uni because the administration, staff and students are all there to support each individual student.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would want to participate in student activities more and to take advantage of the programs that the school offers (clubs, get-to-know each other events, etc)
Response from University of Sussex

Really great to hear that you enjoyed your time at Sussex Auggie!

Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Come at Sussex, you won't regret it!

I absolutely loved my time at the University of Sussex, from meeting a lot of new friends from all over the world to the great teaching. I made so many new friendships with people from my own country but also from countries I did not even heard before! However, the teaching at SU is worth of mention too! it's very different (in a good way) from what I am used to. You'll have seminars where you can express your thoughts on the module in a very confidential way and classes with friendly teachers.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a pizza made by a pizza-robot located in the univeristy campus. I'm italian and I can guarantee you the pizza was great and surprisingly ready in only 4 minutes!!
Pros
  • new friends
  • experience different culture's traditions (like the mexican day of the deads)
  • living with friends
Cons
  • it only lasts 2 months and an half
Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review Emma. Great to hear how much you enjoyed your time with us.

David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An experience most cherished

The experience of taking a semester abroad at the University of Sussex will always be one of my most cherished. I have made some great international friends, experienced living in England and at a university campus (in Czechia, the unis do not have them). I loved the welcoming atmosphere and also am fond of how sweet British people are. I would definitely recommend taking the semester to everyone, especially at University of Sussex with its wonderful study support and teachers. I really liked how communicative, likeable and helpful the teachers were.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open to experience and do not be scared to talk to people. It is important to keep reaching out to people because that is the best way to foster connection.
Pros
  • People
  • Campus
  • Food
Cons
  • Expensiveness
  • Sometimes weather
Response from University of Sussex

Great to hear that you enjoyed your time at Sussex David.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

Sussex was not on my radar. I originally looked into a third party program at University College London because I wanted to be in a big city while also having easy access to other countries. I applied, but I did not get in, so my school recommended the University of Sussex, which is relatively close to London in a cool city called Brighton.

I have never heard of Brighton but kept an open mind because I knew I really wanted to study abroad in England.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Sussex provided a lot more support for me than I thought. Sussex was a direct enrollment where it did not provide the hand-holding that many other study abroad programs had (arranging all your housing and trips and forcing all the American college students to be together so they become friends), so I initially worried I would not have much support. Fortunately, the school provided a coach bus for the visiting students arriving at Heathrow Airport.

The university also has a "Buddy Scheme Society" where international students get paired up with a local student who would acclimate them to the new lifestyle. I was not sure how I would be able to make friends in a direct enrollment study abroad program, so I took advantage of that and met a super nice girl. This was a great way to meet the locals.

Meals were not free, so I had to pay for lunch at the school or buy my own groceries.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Don't make it your #1 priority to leave Brighton and go to other places in Europe.

Before I came to Sussex, I thought studying abroad in Europe was all about cramming in as many weekend trips as possible to see how many countries you can visit in a semester. Traveling to another city is great for a change of pace, but I got so much more from getting to know Brighton and immersing myself in the English (and European) culture through meeting people from all around the world. Coming home, I realized this is the true study abroad experience.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Living off-campus, I took a 40 minutes bus to the university.

Many of my classes had a lecture and a seminar component. In the lectures, all the students enrolled a course in sitting in a huge hall listened to the professor teach. The students were assigned a time to have their seminar, which consists of group work and discussions. It is a hands-on component of the coursework.

I was fortunate to not have classes on Friday. This gave me time to catch up on homework so I can make time for fun.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was how I would be able to balance my studies with having fun.

I thought that during weeks when I had many deadlines, I would be so drowned in my studies I would not have time to have fun. What helped was I always had the mindset that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that you should have fun during this relatively short time period because you will look back on those memories rather than the nights you spent cranking through your papers.

No matter how busy I was, I always made sure to carve out time for hanging out with my friends, exploring Brighton, or going on a short trip.

Do you have a favorite story you'd like to share?

During my time abroad, I had many rituals with my friends that brought me close to them because we would have fun together. My favorite one was riding the bus to the university every Wednesday morning together with two of my friends because we all had our classes at the same time. It was a 40-minute ride and we would spend the arduous trek having intensive conversations whether they were goofy or insightful. This brought me close to them.

The take-home message here is that the best memories are often not what you would think they are. While I really enjoyed going out with my friends for partying or sightseeing, what stood out to me were the times when I just talked to my friends because that was when I formed my strongest bonds.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Giuliana Lees

Job Title
Global Mobility Coordinator
Passionate about intercultural education as a way to connect people, encourage understanding, and contribute to a more peaceful world.

Staff Spotlight: Giuliana

What is your favorite travel memory?

Back in 2019, I travelled to Sri Lanka and explored the country by tuk-tuk and took the famous blue train through the stunning mountain landscapes. When I arrived in Ella, I had the chance to meet up with a former colleague and friend who showed me a less touristy side of Sri Lanka.
I had the opportunity to visit James Taylor’s farm, the first tea plantation in Sri Lanka, along with other areas of restored land where I learned about biodiversity conservation and the vital role local communities and international volunteers play in protecting their environment. It was an unforgettable experience that deepened my appreciation for sustainable practices and the profound impact of international collaboration.
 

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I’m passionate about intercultural education, not just as a form of personal development, but also as a way to build greater understanding and, ultimately, contribute to world peace. I feel incredibly lucky to help students from around the world experience British culture, while also encouraging them to share their own traditions, customs, and ideas with us.
Since joining the Study Abroad team, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people who continue to inspire me. Despite the challenges we face in today’s world, they remind me that we are stronger when we work together, learn from one another, and celebrate our differences.
 

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

I love receiving feedback from our students and hearing how they have enjoyed their time with us. I was particularly moved to hear that one of our exchange students has won the Language Café Volunteer of the Year Award for her contribution to the Language Café society and supporting students learning Korean.
This is what participating in an exchange programme is all about: immersing yourself in the university community and learning from one another. It's moments like these that remind us of the incredible impact exchange students can have within our community.
 

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

There are two types of programmes available: a semester abroad or a full year abroad. Personally, I’d choose the year abroad because it gives you a longer, more immersive experience and the chance to really settle in, make friends, join societies and make the most of your time. Plus, you get to enjoy the summer holidays both in the UK and abroad, which is a great bonus!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The University of Sussex has a (good) reputation for being a liberal and diverse community. Here, we truly value and respect people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, faiths, and sexual orientations. Our campus is a vibrant, international space where difference is celebrated and inclusivity is part of everyday life.
The Study Abroad team reflects that same spirit. We’re a close-knit, friendly group, always happy to support our students and each other. Like many of our students, we come from different cities and countries, but we’ve all found a home here in Brighton. That says something about the kind of place Sussex is: open, welcoming, and full of character.
 

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

We believe that you can only truly understand the highs and lows of packing your life into a suitcase and moving to another country on your own by experiencing it yourself. That’s why our team is uniquely placed to support students; we’ve all lived abroad at some point in our lives (some of us permanently). We understand the mix of excitement, anxiety, and everything in between. Because we’ve been there, we’re not just here to offer practical advice; we genuinely get it, and we’re always ready to listen and help.