University of Sussex

The University of Sussex is a university renowned for its quality, both in its academic standards and the research that it undertakes. Student experience is key, helping all students to enjoy a quality education that equips them with employability skills they need to succeed in their future careers.

Ranked joint 27^th out of 104 UK institutions (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026), Sussex stands out for its exceptional teaching and research. It has proudly held the number one spot worldwide for Development Studies for ten years running (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017-2026).

The University of Sussex has once again been recognised as the happiest university in the UK, securing the top spot in the Unifresher Happiest Universities 2027 Guide for the second consecutive year. This ranking reflects Sussex's continued commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where students feel happy, heard and at home.

With a culture that values and rewards excellent teaching, the university has six Nobel Prize winners that have been members of staff and hosts prominent research centres, including the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU).

The university's campus, set within a national park, is equipped with modern facilities for learning as well as vibrant social spaces. Continuous investment helps to ensure that the university always offers the best facilities, tools and amenities for students.

Conveniently located less than ten minutes by train from the lively coastal city of Brighton, Sussex provides easy access to all the shops, restaurants, nightlife and culture that students could need. London is one hour away hour by train and Gatwick International Airport is in easy reach.

The University of Sussex has a long-standing reputation for quality teaching. Tuition from leading academics and the use of excellent academic facilities help students to progress on to high-skilled employment and further study at impressive rates. In the most recent Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF 2023), Sussex was particularly praised for:

• Outstanding outcomes for its students from all backgrounds with regard to progression to graduate level employment and further study.
• The implementation of an institutional culture that facilitates, recognises and rewards excellent teaching
• A range of opportunities for personalised learning that secure high levels of engagement and commitment to learning and study.

The university supports its teaching excellence through a globally competitive research programme and research infrastructure. Six Nobel Prize winners have been members of staff at Sussex, 12 fellows of the British Academy and a winner of the prestigious Crafoord Prize. Sussex's research centres, including the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the University of Sussex Business School's Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), are at the forefront of global research initiatives.

89 per cent of University of Sussex research was assessed as ‘world-leading' or ‘internationally excellent' in REF 2021.

The University of Sussex was founded in 1961, and offers a vibrant, inclusive campus community, with staff and students from more than 175 countries (HESA Staff and Student Records 2024/25).

The university is comprised of four faculties. Together with the Sussex Researcher School and a variety of research groups, these form the academic core of the university. As part of the Sussex 2035 strategy, the School for Progressive Futures was launched as an interdisciplinary hub for research, education, and global and civic engagement.

The University of Sussex Business School is EQUIS and AMBA accredited and is ranked 1st in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2026).

Sussex has a selection of over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses on offer, including a number of interdisciplinary and hybrid courses.

International students have numerous ways in which they can customise their degree. An expansive study abroad programme allows students to study for a semester or a year at hundreds of partner institutions around the world, broadening their academic and cultural horizons. Students can also opt for a placement year with a professional organisation, learning fundamental insights into the world of work and providing essential preparation for future careers.

Sussex also offers a range of non-degree study programmes. A popular Summer School programme runs every year across a range of different subjects. Pre-sessional English Language courses, run online or on campus, and prepare students for degree-level study.

The university is committed to ensuring that students of every nationality and background are able to access and benefit from a Sussex education.

The university accepts a variety of international qualifications and certificates. Prospective students will need to demonstrate good academic achievement and may need to show completion of additional studies. Offers depend on grading structures in the student's home country and the entry requirements for their chosen course.

Find out what qualifications Sussex accepts on its undergraduate, Masters and PhD course pages.

For students whose English language proficiency is not at the required level, or if English is not their first language, a number of International Foundation Year courses are available through the International Study Centre, based on campus. Pre-sessional English courses are also offered by the Sussex Centre for Language Studies. English language requirements for all courses can be found on the course entry requirements pages for undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes.

Students at Sussex will find a range of facilities to help them thrive while living and studying on campus.

The university is home to a selection of cafes and restaurants featuring local, fresh produce and catering for a variety of tastes and dietary requirements. Menus are inspired by cuisines around the world.

Eat Central is the largest restaurant on campus. The diverse menu changes daily, and offers selected food from around the world, serving hot and cold favourites for breakfast and a range of delicious global street food during lunch and dinner. Falmer Bar provides a lively setting for socialising and enjoying Students' Union and student society events.

Featuring a Sports Centre with on-campus gym, exercise classes and sports pitches, Sussex Sport caters for all fitness needs. The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, based on campus, acts as a contemporary arts hub and connects Sussex with Brighton & Hove and the wider international arts community.

There are a variety of health facilities on campus open throughout the year, including a new Health and Wellbeing Centre, and a pharmacy. Students can also visit the Student Centre for any academic or personal concerns and speak confidentially to trained advisors.

Other facilities include a Co-op convenience store, Post Office and laundrettes.

Students at Sussex enjoy easy access to Brighton, one of the UK's most exciting and vibrant cities. Just a short journey from the campus itself, Brighton has a rich history of creative activity and is today famous for its range of independent cafes, shops, entertainment venues and festivals, as well as an iconic beachfront.

Sussex is also close to the historic town of Lewes, featuring cobbled streets and picturesque views over the South Downs National Park, while London is just an hour away by train.

Sussex offers a wide range of funding opportunities and awards for students at every stage of their educational journey, including student loans, scholarships and external funding options.

Sussex's country scholarships provide overseas Masters degree students with a GBP 4,000 reduction in tuition fees, including those from Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Masters students from India and Türkiye receive a GBP 5,000 reduction in tuition fees.

The university also offers a Chancellor's International Scholarship, providing academically gifted undergraduate and master's degree students with GBP 5,000 fee waiver in the first year of full-time study.

Numerous subject-specific awards are also available, including the MBA Impact Scholarship which offers a tuition fee discount of up to GBP 5,000. This recognises and rewards candidates who have demonstrated the ability to initiate and pursue impact in different settings.

Sussex is also a popular destination for Chevening scholars. Since 1983, it has welcomed thousands of students from around the world who have received funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to undertake their studies at the university, before going on to do incredible things.

New state-of-the-art-accommodation

For the 2026/27 academic year, new, state-of-the-art West Slope accommodation will open to incoming students. Sussex is adding just under 2,000 brand-new bed spaces, offering a mixture of ensuite and shared bathroom single bedrooms, two-bedroom family apartments and fully adaptable rooms with carers' accommodation.

The development is part of Sussex's ongoing commitment to guarantee student accommodation and help ensure their students' experience is as enjoyable as it can be. Find out more about how Sussex is growing its campus through the West Slope development.

Health and Wellbeing Centre

The new Health and Wellbeing Centre opened in June 2026 and marks the first completed and operational building in the West Slope development.

This purpose-built Health and Wellbeing Centre puts student welfare at the heart of campus. NHS GP services are also housed in the centre, serving both Sussex's students and the local community, with new waiting areas and a dedicated floor of consultation rooms.