Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex

Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex

4.62 · 141 reviews
Location
  • England
    • Brighton
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
University
University of Sussex
Degree Level
Bachelors Masters PhD.
Housing
Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

$15,750
Price Details
Autumn / Spring semester: £11,750

Full year: £23,500
What's Included
Some Activities Classes
Jun 12, 2026
Jul 26, 2026
55 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad in Brighton, one of the UK's most vibrant student cities, with a semester or year abroad at the University of Sussex. Located beside the South Downs National Park and minutes from the seafront, Sussex combines academic excellence with an outstanding student experience.

Choose from more than 1,000 classes across nearly 30 subject areas and build a programme that fits your interests while earning credits towards your degree at a leading UK university.

Brighton is famous for its beaches, festivals, arts scene and inclusive culture. Central London is just over an hour away by train, and Gatwick Airport is only 30 minutes from campus.

Students value Sussex for its supportive teaching, international community and memorable student life. If you're looking for a semester or year abroad in England, Sussex offers the ideal mix of academic choice, global connections and life in a dynamic seaside city. Join students from over 150 countries and experience life at Sussex!!

Program Highlights

  • Ranked the happiest university in the UK in the Unifresher Happiest Universities 2026 Guide.
  • Constantly ranked among the top universities in the world. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 placed Sussex 201-250th in the world overall.
  • Sussex is ranked in the top 10 universities in the UK for Brighton's diverse nightlife (pubs, clubs and music venues) and political activities.
  • Over 1,000 top-tier classes to choose from - Sussex is known for its Humanities and Social Sciences field, with its Development Studies program being placed at number 1 globally in the QS World University Ranking.
  • Home of Premier League football team Brighton & Hove Albion

Video and Photos

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.

Popular Programs

Students in lecture theatre

The University of Sussex has one of the UK's largest schools of Psychology, with specialists in every area of psychology. Our faculty has been recognised for their outstanding teaching & we have over 40 classes to choose from.

The School has approximately 600 m2 of laboratory space, well equipped to support the needs of research groups, and an extensive range of general facilities, including 18 cubicles (for individual testing) and a large room used for the simultaneous testing of groups.

Students in campus building

Sussex's School of Global Studies offers over 60 modules for students in the world-ranked disciplines of Development (1st globally) and IR (world top 100).

You will learn from experts making a difference across the world who are committed to social justice and challenging global inequality, addressing the most pressing global issues of our time – global inequalities & justice, climate/environmental change, war & peace.

About University of Sussex

University of Sussex
University of Sussex Logo
City
Brighton
Students:
17,300
Year Founded:
1959
International Students:
5,000

The University of Sussex is a leading research-intensive university near Brighton. We have both an international and local outlook, with staff and students from more than 100 countries and frequent engagement in community activities and services. Sussex was the first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in 1961.

Program Reviews

4.62 Rating
based on 141 reviews
  • 5 rating 63.83%
  • 4 rating 34.04%
  • 3 rating 2.13%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.05
  • Support 4.3
  • Fun 4.55
  • Housing 3.8
  • Safety 4.6
Showing 81 - 88 of 141 reviews
Thanakorn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experiences - Fall 2017

The stuffs are supportive in most cases except accomination which can be a bit challenge (in my case, one-semester exchange students will stay in a hotel downtown). Their academic classes are great and I love the idea of divding into multiple sessions/classes later for large classes. The campus location does not locate in the cetre of the city, Brighton though. To me, I like it because it makes students to stay on campus and do things together. The bus ride is only 15 minutes to the city centre and bus is avaliable throughout the night.

118 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thank you, Thanakorn, for your review!

Tiffany
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2017 Sussex Abroad

What an adventure. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and learned so much about cultures around Europe. I’ve made life-long friends. The only complaint is Langford’s Hotel, where the international students stayed at. I hope no one has to stay there long-term. Other than that, the experience was magical.
I chose easier classes so that I could focus on learning UK culture. I didn’t spend too much time studying; I spent a ton of time exploring. I pushed myself to start a music club on campus to meet more people and join the dance team. Weekends were dedicated to traveling around UK and Europe.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The program is what you make of it. I recommend people to push themselves to meet locals, join school clubs, join sports teams, assimilate to a new culture. It’s difficult, but it makes all the difference when you put in the effort.
113 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Tiffany for your review - and great to know what a good time you had here at Sussex and in Brighton. It sounds like you made the most of your time here. And thanks too for your feedback about housing, something we're always looking to try to improve for students.

Dario
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Love, life, research.

I have been studying as a phd student at University of Sussx - School of English during the last semester. Brighton is a perfect mixture of Love, life and resarch. Social life is incredible. The city is full of pubs, clubs, cinemas. There are a lot of cultural events, gigs, performances. Sussex University' library is really well furnished. I bet that you would also find your love among the most queer and free city in Uk. Moreover,,the landscapes are amazing. The seafront, full of routes for hiking. I relly recommend.

112 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Dario for your review, and so great to hear you had such a good time here at Sussex!

patricia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

my erasmus at the University of Sussex

Now that i have just finished my exchange I can say that I made the best desition ever going to the University of Sussex. Everyone is very helpful and caring. Very comfortable facilities. One of the things that surprised me the most is the amount of socials that are ofered for students, that makes the university more than just classes and helps you to make new friends and create great memories.
I had a really great time and I would totally recomend this place for a year abroad as you can find a very intercultural environment at campus.

116 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Wow, that's so great to hear, Patricia! We're so pleased you had such a wonderful time here at Sussex and in Brighton.

Kristina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2016-17 Year at Sussex

I stayed at the University of Sussex for a full year, and it was the best decision I've made in my young adult life. I had never been to England before, actually I'd never stepped foot over the Atlantic before this experience. Everyone at Sussex was so welcoming, the campus was gorgeous (it backs right up onto a national park which made for the best strolls), and the courses were very challenging. Acclimating an American college education into the British system can be very daunting, especially in terms of the grading system and course expectations, but I found it all to be worth it because of the experiences Brighton and Sussex have to offer for such a large international student population. Some of my fondest memories, and closest friendships were made there.

What would you improve about this program?
Be mindful that an on-campus university lifestyle can be quite expensive, and plan accordingly.
115 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for your review, Kristina! 'It was the best decision I've made in my young adult life' is great for us to read too!! We're so glad that your experience was so formative for you, especially several years on.

Marco
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Term Abroad

My term abroad was very exciting, I made new friends that I still speak to after two years now. I got to learn different subjects in a deeper way within my career, and the idea for my dissertation project back in Mexico was born during my stay at Sussex University.

I am very grateftul with Sussex University for my experience during my term abroad. I would definitely go back for a Master Degree. The academic approach is very good and all of the students were highly motivated to keep learning!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would definitely stay for another full term if possible.
109 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for reviewing us, Marco! Isn't it great that you made some lasting friends from your time here, which is more common than people might think! We'd love to welcome you back for a masters, and hope to see you again on campus sometime!

Thao
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

I had my exchange semester in Fall 2017. I really enjoyed my time in Brighton studying at Sussex. Teachers and coordinator are very supportive of my learning. They helped challenge me. I made great friends during the exchange semester who I still keep in touch with.
Brighton is a great location by the sea with easy access to many cities as well as old towns in the South of England for those who want to explore. Beautiful beach, a hip atmosphere and nice weather. I would highly recommend doing a semester at Sussex.

117 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Thao for your great review! We're so glad to know you had a wonderful time when you were studying here.

Jeanette
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester at Sussex

I really enjoyed my semester abroad at Sussex uni. The only thing that was difficult was to find housing for me, and that happened before I even came to Brighton. Therefore I think I would recommend going for the autumn semester, because I went in the spring and naturally people are going to keep their student housings all year.

When I arrived the uni had a lot of activities planned for exchange students and it was easy to get to know other students. There's also a lot of discussion in class, so you will get to know your classmates as well.

Brighton is also probably the nicest place in all of England, and also the most vegan friendly place. Side note: visit Purezza pizza.

All in all I would really recommend Sussex uni and Brighton:)

What would you improve about this program?
It should be easier to get student housing, so you don't have to go into the private marked.
114 people found this review helpful.
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for your review, Jeanette, and your helpful recommendations. Thanks also for a great wrap of our uni and Brighton!

Questions & Answers