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University of Sussex

4.63 Rating
138 reviews
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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.

Website
www.sussex.ac.uk
Founded
1961
University of Sussex
City:
Brighton
Students:
17,300
International Students:
5,000

Qualifications

Min. SAT Score:
1300
Min. ACT Score:
26
Min. Age:
16
Additional Items:
  • Transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement
  • Language Requirement (English)
Further Information

How to Apply

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
Apply Now
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Community Photos

Me, Xiomara, in front of Palance of Westminster
Girl trip to see the skyline
Seven Sisters Cliff Hike in Seaford!
Free cake from the university!
The beginning of a journey
Sunset at Brighton
Beautiful Trip to London
Girl's Night on the Beach
Seven Sisters
Beach Sunsets
Love walking along the Brighton Pier
Brighton beach
Brighton Beach
Arundel Castle
Sky Garden London
Hove

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

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.
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LGBTQIA+ Support

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.
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Neurodivergent Support

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.
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Accessibility Support

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.
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Impact

Sustainability

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.
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Ethical Impact

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

Default avatar
Xiomara
22
Female
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Too Short of a Stay!

Jan 29, 2024

I'm afraid I didn't take advantage of my semester abroad as much as I should have. I struggle with social anxiety and depression, and consequently stayed in my dorm and on campus for the first two months of my three month-long stay in Brighton out of fear. I was doubly afraid of and felt inept with making friends but I was approached by three other Black girls that transformed my experience. We shopped, ate, visited the pier and explored, and studied together; without them, I doubt whether I would have never had fun while I was there.

As far as the campus experience, it was great. My home university has very little breadth in its humanities and social sciences courses, so I was particularly excited to visit Sussex and finally explore my interests. My curiosities were satiated, then piqued, then multiplied, and I was so happy to have several post-class chats with my professors after nearly every lecture. My dormitory was a sore spot, however. I lived in Norwich House, which was fine on its face, but my flatmates' inability to keep our kitchen clean was abhorrent, and the continuous construction outside my window made sleep and studying increasingly difficult (on top of my depression). The food on campus is also lackluster and the ethnic options have much to be desired; I had to travel into Brighton to eat other styles of food, and even then there weren't many Latin or Caribbean restaurants.

Overall, I enjoyed my time and wish I had made more of it! It was a wonderful experience.

What was your funniest moment?
I got lost on the bus routes around Brighton and had to continuously call my friends for directions, lol, even when I was across the street from the bus stop.
Pros
  • Classes, especially in political ecology, are engaging and wide in breadth.
  • Campus is walkable and cute!
  • Proximity to the city and multiple options for transit allow for easy access to the city
Cons
  • Construction on Sussex Campus may disturb sleep and study.
  • Food on campus is not diverse and of middling quality.
  • There was no snow this winter :(
Me, Xiomara, in front of Palance of Westminster
Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review Xiomara.

By Jon Bowditch on February 6, 2024
Default avatar
Henning
Germany
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Very nice experince!

Jan 28, 2024

I was at the University of Sussex for over 3 months. I lived on campus in Falmer during that time. It was a great place to live as everything you needed was there, from bars to supermarkets and sports facilities. There were also events on and off campus from time to time. The degree programme was very varied and I found the courses very interesting. The university was quick and uncomplicated in helping you with any issues. Together with travelling, meeting new people and going out partying, I had a really good time!

Pros
  • Help from the university
  • Beatiful city
Cons
  • Search for accomodation
Response from University of Sussex

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

By Jon Bowditch on February 6, 2024
Default avatar
Ahn
21
Male
South Korea
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

ISEP Sussex Review

Jan 20, 2024

My experience in Sussex was exquisite, the bus ride to Brighton was convenient and the student discount saved money. The food in the cafeteria was also delicious and cheap. I however decided to cook most of the time myself with food bought from the local CO-OP store. The classes that I chose were somewhat close by to my dorm room, but because of the construction, I pity anyone who wasn't nearer to the actual campus. I recommend choosing a Swanborough dorm for the closest proximity to classes and food stores and to the local lanundromat.

Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review Ahn.

By Jon Bowditch on February 6, 2024
Default avatar
Georgia
21
Female
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

University of Sussex Review

Jan 18, 2024

This program was a lot of fun however I thought they could have provided extra support to exchange students. Often times I would have to reach out to multiple different offices to understand what was happening or what I needed to do (instead of them voluntarily giving me this useful information). I’ve heard other programs where they have exchange students go to programs together/ do a separate orientation but they didn’t do that. Was a lot of fun but definitely could have provided more support.

What was your funniest moment?
Going out to the clubs with my housemates and then hanging out at the beach afterwards
Pros
  • A lot of fun/ amazing restaurants
  • Easy to travel throughout england from this location
  • Beautiful beach
Cons
  • Kinda expensive
  • Not a lot of support from university
Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review Georgia.

By Jon Bowditch on February 6, 2024
Default avatar
Grace
22
Female
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Fall '23

Jan 18, 2024

As an only student coming in into the program from my home university, I was very nervous to partake in this program. But, I made sure that I didn't allow that to stop me from my experience. I met so many lovely friends, colleagues, joined fun societies, and travelled all around. The city is AMAZING! Very cozy, and friendly - with the Brighton beach at the coast. I also made sure to have the famous "fish and chips".

Would definitely recommend coming to study abroad here at the University of Sussex.

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing that I would improve is having more programs on campus for study abroad students. In this way, it would help foster the community of study abroad students.
Pros
  • Lovely weather
  • Fun people
  • Relaxing atmosphere
Cons
  • Transportation delays
  • Class culture
  • Lack of programming
Response from University of Sussex

Great to hear you enjoyed your time with us Grace.

By Jon Bowditch on February 6, 2024
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 2 of 2

Alumni Interviews

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

Christine Huang

Program
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

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.

Jon Bowditch

Program
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton
Job Title
Global Mobility Officer (Inbound)
I began working at the University of Sussex in 2015. After 3 years in the Postgraduate Admissions department I moved to the Global Engagement team where I supported Sussex students going on a semester or year abroad, as well as Summer Schools programmes. In August 2021 I took up my current role a the Global Mobility Officer (Inbound). Along with my colleagues Sara and Louise, I look after all the incoming visiting and exchange students to the university.
Jon Bowditch

How many students attend your university?

17,000 in total. This includes 5,000 international students from 145 countries

Please outline any qualifications to get accepted to your university (minimum SAT scores, GPA, age, transcripts, language etc.)

Students need to have completed at least one year of higher education and have a minimum of 2.8 GPA out of 4. There is also an English language requirement (further details can be found here).

What is the international student experience like at the University of Sussex?

Students will experience our beautiful green campus. Sussex us the only UK university to be located in a national park. We are also only 10 minutes from the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Brighton & Hove which is home to a great arts scene as well as our fantastic beach. The campus is just an hour from London by train too.

The university prides itself on it's international outlook. Students will therefore find a very inclusive environment with the opportunity to mix with not just students from the UK but also around the work.

When should international students start the application process for the University of Sussex?

For the Autumn Semester the deadline is 1st April. For Spring it will be 15th October.

How long does the application process take?

The application is quite simple to complete so should not take students long to complete. We also try to get back to students as soon as possible regarding the outcome of their applications.

What is the academic experience like at your university compared to other international universities? What surprises students most?

I think our campus and location really stands out compared to other universities in the UK. We have the perfect mix of a great city that's very lively but easy to get around, and also the tranquility of beautiful countryside. If that isn't enough we also have a fantastic beach! We are also have great connections to the rest of the UK as well as Europe, with Gatwick airport just 30 minutes away.

In addition to this, students can select from over 1,000 classes from 9 different schools, so the range of subjects is huge.

What is living in Brighton like for international students?

Brighton and Hove is a fantastic city for an international student. There are an abundance of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs. There is also a great arts scene which incorporates theater, film, music and comedy.

The city is very vibrant and cosmopolitan and is renowned for it's inclusivity. We may be known as 'London by the sea', but we are much easier to get around than the capital, so students can easily explore the delights which are on offer.