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University of Sussex

4.62 Rating
146 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
Min. SAT Score:
1300
Min. ACT Score:
26
Min. Age:
16
Additional Items:
  • Transcript
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement
  • Language Requirement (English)
Further Information
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
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Community Photos

Brighton beach sunset
sunset in Brighton
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

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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.
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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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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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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 🌎

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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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
Lily
22
Female
Australia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

University of Sussex exchange program

Jan 17, 2025

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I recommend all university students to participate in if given the opportunity. What I love about the University of Sussex is that it is hidden away from the busy streets of Brighton, surrounded by trees, fields, and wildlife. I found the staff and students to be kind and welcoming, making living in another country and experiencing new things easier! The University set up exchange meet and greets, but I would recommend joining a sports team or society to embrace the university experience. A short bus ride out of the university and Brighton has so much to see and do! If you like the beach (like me), I recommend you visit during the summertime.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Snow! It was so special to see snow for the first time right outside my window! A bit different from a hot traditional Australian christmas.
Pros
  • Meeting new people and making new friends
  • Experiencing living in a new country
  • Having so many travel opportunities
Cons
  • Expensive living out of home
  • Homesick and missing loved ones
Brighton beach sunset
Response from University of Sussex

Great to hear about your time at Sussex Lily. Thank you for sharing.

By Jon Bowditch on January 27, 2025
Default avatar
Jacob
22
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Study Abroad Experience at Sussex

Jan 15, 2025

Studying abroad at Sussex was one of the best decisions of my life. From experiencing and immersing myself within a new culture, to the lifelong friends I made, to the challenging and thought-provoking academics, and to the fun nightlife and social side at Sussex, it was everything I could have asked for. As an exchange student from Chicago, culture in the UK was very different and I was anxious at first, but immediately upon my arrival at Sussex, I met loads of great people that I now consider my close friends. Sussex offers a variety of clubs and sports that I engaged in, all of which led me to meeting new friends. The student-body in general is full of welcoming and friendly people. Brighton as a city is very diverse with a lively nightlife from a variety of pubs, restaurants, and clubs and feels like it is its own little world. I personally bought a bus pass and would constantly go into Brighton where I quickly learned where everything was located and experienced everything the city has to offer. Also, the professors at Sussex are engaging and caring, yet challenge you and push you to be the best version of yourself.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would recommend buying the Brighton and Hove student discounted bus pass for the time you are studying abroad. Buying this pass forced me to into Brighton 3-4 days a week and really immerse myself into the city and its culture in order to get my moneys worth. I would also recommend buying a rail card. I constantly traveled to London, so having a rail card made this affordable and accessible. Overall, I would recommend getting out of your accom and meeting as many new people as you can. There are infinite possibilities and connections you can make. Also, if you North America or a country that does not have international travel as cheap and accessible as the UK, I recommend traveling to other countries. I visited 3 other countries within my time at Sussex and experienced some of the most gorgeous places I have seen. This was very fulfilling.
Pros
  • Welcoming student body
  • Challenging yet achievable academics
  • lively city
Cons
  • none
Response from University of Sussex

Hi Jacob, thank you for your review. Great to hear about all the things you got up to while you were at Sussex.

By Jon Bowditch on January 16, 2025
Default avatar
Jacob
21
Male
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Positive experience at U Sussex

Jan 12, 2025

I really enjoyed my time at the University of Sussex. Classes were challenging and intriguing enough to keep me on my toes, but not overwhelming. Professors and support staff were helpful and available for questions. Student Wellbeing team was particularly helpful in navigating challenges that arose, they provided great support in light of serious issues. Social scene was a lot of fun—Brighton is a great town for students and anyone 18+. Tons of fun bars, clubs, and other nightlife opportunities, all easily accessible by bus and train from campus.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I think it would be more fun to live off campus, in the actual city of Brighton itself. There's so much going on in Brighton; the university itself is great, but Brighton is the place to be. Living on campus wasn't bad, but it did mean I spent less time in the city itself, which I would have liked to get to explore even more.
Pros
  • Great professors and interesting classes
  • Gorgeous South Downs National Park right next to campus
  • Relatively close proximity and easy travel to London Gatwick Airport, made other traveling much easier
Cons
  • Weather wasn't amazing–lots of rain and almost always gray skies
  • On campus housing wasn't the best. Had challenges with hot water and heating, and overall not that nice
Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review Jacob!

By Jon Bowditch on January 14, 2025
Default avatar
Leonardo
26
Male
Italy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Nice Experience

Jan 9, 2025

It was a nice experience, mostly academic wise. The support was quite useful many times as for an Erasmus students some things are not so straightforward. The modules were really great, and I was mostly satisfied by them. The quality of life is the one thing that was a bit concerning, especially hygene level of other flatmates, but also in general. I would have preferred that the academic enlightment was backed by good food and nice living conditions, that would have helped the study experience.

Response from University of Sussex

Thank you Leonardo,

By Jon Bowditch on January 9, 2025
Default avatar
Jordan
22
Male
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Eye Opening

Jan 8, 2025

This experience was very unique to me because this was my first time out the country. It felt very eye-opening to experience another part of the world and see how different the culture was in another country. I was able to make many friendships and long lasting connections to help me adjust through these times. Studying at the University of Sussex was not only amazing because the connections I’ve made, but also because of the prestige facilities and staff as well. The learning style was very self reliant and independent but the staff was there to willingly help guide you along the way.

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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.