Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton

Name: Study Abroad at University of Sussex, Brighton
Brand: University of Sussex
SKU: 255245
Rating: 4.61 (120 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

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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

Starting Price

13000

Price Details

Autumn / Spring semester: £10,750

Full year: £21,500

What's Included

Some Activities Classes

Last Updated: Feb 06, 2024

Last Reviewed: Jan 29, 2024

Wish List

45 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The University of Sussex is one of the United Kingdom's top universities and a world-renowned higher-education institution, consistently ranked among the best universities around the world and ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies.

Sussex provides one of the largest study abroad programs in the UK - boasting more than 1,000 modules across almost 30 major areas.
Only one hour from central London and 30 minutes from London Gatwick international airport, Brighton is a sunny seaside city on the South Coast of England, famous for its festival and arts scene, and having a dynamic, cosmopolitan and vibrant sense of inclusivity.

Outside of the excellent academia, at Sussex you can explore any of 200 societies, cafés, bars, and events on campus, visit the famous Brighton beach and pier or take in the shopping centers and festivals.

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Video and Photos

Study Abroad at the University of Sussex

Students walking through the green campus

North Laines shopping district in the sun

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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.

Program Highlights

Constantly ranked among the top universities in the world. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 placed Sussex 201-250th in the world overall, 74th for Social Sciences.
'University of the Year for Student Retention' by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
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 study modules 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.
City of Brighton ranked 1st in England for student happiness

Popular Programs

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.

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

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

4.61 Rating

based on 120 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 63.33%
4 rating 34.17%
3 rating 2.5%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.1
Support 4.3
Fun 4.55
Housing 3.8
Safety 4.6

Good for Students

Showing 41 - 48 of 120 reviews

My experience at university of Sussex proved to be the best three months of my life. I have learned a lot, and both professors and tutors have been so helpful. I have made friends from all over the world, friends that I will never forget.
The university is beautiful and you really feel at home there.
And then there’s the city of Brighton, which is one of the most vibrant cities I have ever visited. You can always find a new spot of the city that you had never seen before and people are so friendly

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Walking through the doors at the university accommodation hoping that these people would become your family

Despite the circumstances, due to the pandemic I had a lovely time at Sussex University. I found my courses very intriguing especially because we were taught how to apply knowledge practically. My tutors were very helpful, throughout the term and always had an open ear for any worries or concerns. My only regret is that it was very hard to make new contacts, as all social events were held online. Covid made that more challenging. Luckily I knew some people beforehand. However, I would love to stay a second semester at Sussex.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I would definitely start revising earlier and check out all of the assessment requirements. Sometimes studying abroad can be a harder challenge academically, as you might not be familiar with the referencing style etc.

Overall, especially under the current conditions of a worldwide pandemic, I had a great time, thank you!
However, the housing conditions were not very good (bathroom, wifi, kitchen) . After complaining, things got better but it was very annoying.
Also even though online teaching did work quite well and most of the professors were really eager to help and support us, it was a big challenge
to only have online classes, where it was not really possible to connect with other students from your modules.

I loved being able to attend Sussex this fall. Obviously it was a bit hard with the Coronavirus pandemic which I definitely think affected my academics both from the teacher and my own engagement. I also found the staff slower to respond to emails than I am used to again probably due to the overall influx of online contact. Outside of school I loved living in the town of Lewes and getting to know other exchange students. It was nice that we had people to talk to during the lockdown and we could walk in local parks which helped with the stress of COVID.

What was your funniest moment?

The funniest times were when it would get late and we would play cards everyone would revert back to their mother tongue and then we would switch back and forth a lot.

The circumstances of my trip were really really strange because of COVID but I still manage to have lots of fun. I met new people and made good memories. I will definitely visit another time when I can travel a lot more freely. I made the choice to live in residence and it was great because my flatmates were very nice so we had good time even during lockdown. The teachers were understanding of the situation so I didn't feel too overwhelmed by my classes. I think my English improved significantly too and it was the purpose so I am glad. My courses were interesting and because I could attend modules that I don't have in my University

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Be open minded and don't be afraid to try new things and to meet new people. I will advise you to stay in a residence so you'll be sure to meet a lot of people

Overall, I really liked studying at University of Sussex. Brighton is beautiful, it was easy to get around, and there was lots to do in the area. I enjoyed my classes but wasn't overwhelmed by them. The worst part was definitely housing. I was led to believe I would be living in on-campus housing, but it turns out that semester-long study abroad students live in off-campus housing. We ended up living in a hotel with tiny rooms and one dirty kitchen. Fortunately we were close to the beach and it was easy to get into the city center from our housing. The commute to school was long, but my course schedule only had me on campus 3 days a week, so it wasn't too bad.

What was your funniest moment?

A seagull stole a chocolate bar right from my hand!

Response from University of Sussex

Thanks for your review Sarah! It's great to hear that you enjoyed the local activities in the area. Housing is currently being developed on-campus, and the University is working to provide more new and modern housing options for future years.
Thanks again!

By Rebecca Hart on September 3, 2020

Studying abroad at University of Sussex was definitely the highlight of my college career. I lived in the center of the city right on the beach and loved every minute of it. There were amazing restaurants, pubs, and people. I still talk to the friends I met through the exchange program from when I attended in 2018. The campus is beautiful and the professors were friendly and helpful. My best friend and I STILL talk about the amazing memories we made in Brighton and even visited this past spring because we missed it so much. Brighton is really a one of a kind city with such a welcoming feeling. You can find a cute cafe to study at every corner and I loved going on morning runs down to the pier by the beach. I enjoyed how walkable the city was and how quickly you could jump on the bus to go anywhere. If I could do this exchange program again I would in a heartbeat!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice would be to enjoy every moment you have in Brighton and to take risks to do things you usually wouldn't. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and went to cafes by myself and explored the city on my own. I would also say meet new people and don't be afraid to go up to someone new. I also would encourage you to try a new restaurant, pub, or cafe frequently to really see what Brighton has to offer. Also, a picnic at the pavilion or on the beach is a must!

Response from University of Sussex

Thank you for your review of Sussex, Alexandria! And fantastic photos!

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on August 3, 2020

Studying at the University of Sussex is a cherished memory. If I could do it again, I would. I found all the staff members to be very helpful and I enjoyed my classes. The campus itself is picturesque. There was never a shortage of things to do on campus and traveling to Brighton and London was easy. Joining the Buddy Scheme is a great idea because you make friends while exploring your new home. Being friends with my flatmates made my experience so much better and we still video chat on WhatsApp.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

My flatmates and I spent the day exploring London for my birthday and ended up finding Minalima, the company that created all the graphics for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.

South Downs National Park is adjacent to the campus and provides a beautiful route to Lewes

One of my favorite locations in Brighton

Located on Falmer Hill, the library has a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views over the campus

Response from University of Sussex

Thanks Natalia for this review! It sounds like you did a great range of things while you were studying abroad here!!

By Rohan McCarthy-Gill on May 29, 2020

Questions & Answers

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.

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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.

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).

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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.

Rohan McCarthy-Gill

Global Mobility and Partnership Manager

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...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Study Psychology at Sussex 

Study Int. Relations & Development at Sussex 

Response from University of Sussex

Response from University of Sussex

Response from University of Sussex

Alumni Interviews

Christine Huang

Why did you choose this program?

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

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

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

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

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

Staff Interviews

Jon Bowditch

How many students attend your university?

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

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

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

How long does the application process take?

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

What is living in Brighton like for international students?

Study Psychology at Sussex

Study Int. Relations & Development at Sussex