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Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex

Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex

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University of Sussex
4.62 · 141 reviews
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University of Sussex

 4.62 · 141 reviews
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Location
  • England
    • Brighton
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Accounting American Studies Anthropology Art History Astronomy Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Design Economics Education Engineering English Film Finance Geography Global Studies History Information Technology International Relations Language Studies Law Life Sciences Literature Marketing Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Social Work Sociology U.S. Studies +25
Health & Safety
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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
Wish List
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!!

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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

Study Abroad at the University of Sussex
Study Abroad at the University of Sussex
Study Abroad at the University of Sussex
Study Abroad at the University of Sussex
Students walking through the green campus
North Laines shopping district in the sun
Graduating students at the West Pier
Brighton beach
Sussex Campus

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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.

Popular Programs

Students in lecture theatre

Study Psychology at Sussex

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

Study Int. Relations & Development at Sussex

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
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  • 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
Good for Students
Showing 137 - 141 of 141 reviews
Mary
29
Ireland
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best

Nov 29, 2019

I had the most amazing time spending a year exchange. Brighton itself is a magic city and the societies within the University make it so worth it. The campus is easy to follow. Loved it so much!

I was a drama and music student.The classes were interesting and the lecturers were great to listen to you. The classes are difficult but rewarding
Some of the people I met during my time here have since become my bestest friends. I loved the University and its been one of the best things I have done. I have since made friends for live all over the world and developed new skills I didn’t know I had! I saw lots of theatre with the Brighton fringe also and the West End, Brighton is also a quick hop to London and a fantastic gateway to seeing lots more of the country.

What would you improve about this program?
The housing is only okay. I lived in Stanmer Court and it was fine but not worth the money
81 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
A picture of a pier with the heading “Brighton palace pier”
A pink poster reads the musical in the university “legally blonde”
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Mary for writing the review!
Brighton is such an interesting location for a drama and music student, and so we're so pleased you had a great study abroad here.
Thank you too for your feedback!

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on December 5, 2019
Paula
30
Colombia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable semestre

Nov 29, 2019

Sussex is an excelente university. It has fun classes that have a high academic level and also has a lot of spaces to make friends and meet people. There is no shortage of things to do or opportunities to learn.
Sussex is an excellent space for learning, with a great library, cafes al across campus and no shortage of green spaces to relax and chill with friends.
Professors and administrative staff are kind and always ready to help exchange students in whatever they might need, be it academic or mental help. The staff of Sussex abroad is also ready to help and extremely kind to all exchange students, on top or organising trips, barhops and all sorts of activities for students.
All in all it’s and incredible experience and a semestre I’ll have close to my heart always

What would you improve about this program?
Better accommodation for one semestre students (the hotels)
82 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Paula!
You certainly sound like you've made the most of your time at Sussex!
Thanks too for your feedback :-)

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on December 5, 2019
Ryo
28
Japan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

the life at the University of Sussex

Nov 29, 2019

I chose this university since it has a great reputation for development studies. I did not have any opportunities to study them; therefore, I came to the University of Sussex for it. Professors are very kind and supportive of students. Moreover, I have found that many students have good motivations for studying. This really helped me focus on study more. The University of Sussex has great facilities such as a library which is open for 24 hours. In addition, it offers a lot of different events such as about Brexit, working career, and cultural exchange. The location of the university is also great since it is located nearby a national park, which you can enjoy walking. I definitely enjoyed life at the University of Sussex for a year and recommend people who want to study in an international community.

What would you improve about this program?
I had some difficulties in finding my accommodation for a second semester. So, if people start to study abroad from Spring to Winter. You need to know that the university requires you to find accommodation by yourself.
104 people found this review helpful.
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Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for reviewing us, Ryo!
We're glad to hear you got to study some things here at Sussex that you couldn't take at your home university!
It sounds like you made great use of your time here - including the national park, which we love too!
Thanks also for your recommendations!
We hope to see you again in the future.

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on November 29, 2019
Supanut
30
Thailand
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A wonderful experience

Nov 29, 2019

It was a wonderful experience studying for a semester at University of Sussex. The trips organized by the International Student Support were fun, educational and enjoyable, and I met lots of new people. Understandably, since I'm visually impaired, I was given an on-campus accommodation which was nice given that it is very close to the canteen where I can get food, however this also means I became isolated from other exchange students, since they all live in the city, which meant I missed out on potentially a lot of things that these exchange students might have done. The support I was given during my course of study was great, especially the volunteer note taker who helped take notes for me during lectures and kindly emailed them to me in a format that I can properly read with my screen reader. Literally all the buildings I came across on campus were very friendly towards people with disabilities, with elevators featuring both braille and audio indicators, and gender-neutral toilets that are wheelchair-friendly.

What would you improve about this program?
Coordinate with local bus operators to offer shuttle services between the campus and the hotels where exchange students live.
96 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for your review of us, Supanut!
We're so pleased you have a great time in the program, and thanks for your recommendations!
It's great to know that you found the campus and facilities met your particular requirements.
We hope you might come back to Brighton and Sussex sometime in the future!

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on November 29, 2019
Eni
33
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Yes to Sussex

Oct 8, 2014

Sussex had an amazing program. Living in Brighton is wonderful and vibrant, and the students are all friendly and inclusive. The night scene is fun but it can get very crowded in Brighton on weekends, so sometimes I stay on campus. The housing allocation I was given even has its own bar! There is a lot of independent work for classes so that's definitely something to be aware of. I am loving my time here, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's interested in the area and culture in this part of England.

What would you improve about this program?
Having a comprehensive list of events for new students would be helpful and encouraging them to attend programs to help them understand British people better, but honestly there's nothing that I would change too much. They have a great system.
85 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

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

Christine Huang

Program
Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex

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

Program
Study Abroad in Brighton, England at University of Sussex
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.
 

About 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...

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