University of Sussex

Located in Brighton in the south of England, the University of Sussex is a public research institution that was among the wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s. It soon came to be identified with post-war social change and student radicalism and in its contemporary guise is a vibrant multicultural community of around 17,000 students and commitment to interdisciplinarity and international partnerships.

Academic Highlights

Organised across 12 schools of studies, more than a third of the university’s students are enrolled on postgraduate courses. While 2015 saw the opening of The Attenborough Centre: a new arts venue on campus featuring a 350-seat auditorium, a gallery, rehearsal studios and teaching space.

Location

The University of Sussex is situated in to the East Sussex village of Falmer, near the cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton. and surrounded by the South Downs National Park. The self-contained campus, considered one of the most attractive in the UK, was designed by architect Sir Basil Spence.

Did you know?

The University of Sussex’s Arts department is home to a world-class archive called The Keep that contains manuscripts and first editions by Virginia Woolf, Rudyard Kipling and Jane Austen.

Handbook/Catalogue

Sussex's module catalogue (advice on selecting modules can be found here)

Academic Restrictions

• The majority of Law modules run for the full year, and cannot be taken as a single-semester exchange student. Full-year modules commence in Sussex Autumn Semester.
• Places for Creative Production and Creative Media modules are very limited and are therefore only available to students in a media-related degree at Monash.
• Places for Engineering and Infomatics modules are very limited and students should preferably take electives and be flexible with their module choices.

Modules (units) are usually worth 15 or 30 credits each.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Academic Calendar

Sussex Semester 1 (Monash Semester Two): late September – mid-January
Sussex Semester 2 (Monash Semester One): late January – early June

Sussex's Term Dates

* Refer to 'Academic Restrictions' on the 'Academic Details' tab for advice on these departments

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation is guaranteed for full-year applicants, but cannot be guaranteed for semester-length applicants.

Sussex provides more information on accomodation for exchange students.

Sussex also offers advice on off-campus accommodation.

Visas

Non-UK or European Union citizens must have a valid student visa to undertake an exchange period.  To apply, you will need a visa support letter (Confirmation of Acceptance) from your host university.

If studying for more than six months, then a Tier 4 (general) student visa may be required.

If going for less than six months, a Tier 4 (general) student visa or a short-term study visa may be required. The short-term study visa is the simpler and cheaper option for entering the UK however the visa cannot be extended and no work can be undertaken (paid or unpaid) while in the UK.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you may need to meet UK Border Agency language requirements. Be sure to check the requirements.

For more information on student visas, please refer to the British Consulate-General here.

The University of Sussex also provides some advice on applying for a student visa.

Health and insurance

Tier 4 General Student visa applicants are required to pay an immigration health charge (IHS) at the point of submitting their visa application. The charge will entitle the visa holder to free health services under the National Health Service (NHS) once inside the UK. Find out more about health services with the Tier 4 visa here. Those who are applying for a short-term visa will need to arrange their own health cover.

The University of Sussex also offers additional advice on health and welfare for international students, including insurance.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy.  This will provide cover to and from your exchange.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

The University of Sussex organises welcome events when exchange students first arrive, and regular cultural events such as our Holi-One World Week to help students get the most out of their exchange at Sussex. There is also a local Buddy Scheme that excahnge students can sign up for to help with settling in.

The University of Sussex has a vibrant student life, including an active student union organising activities and events, many sports and socities to join and sporting facilities which exchange students can access.

Cost of living

As part of visa requirements, if you are a non-EEA student you must ensure that you have sufficient funds for fees and maintenance during your whole period of study.

The University of Sussex offers some guidance on the living costs for students.

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to the University of Sussex and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!

Molly Scott
Bachelor of Arts/Laws
Semester 2, 2016
Studied: Arts units

Study Experience

I studied a host of different Arts units. It was really easy to organise a study plan because Sussex allows students to pick whatever units they like from any discipline. That meant I got to do a unit in anthropology, criminology, international development and sociology. The university helped with meet and greet events by offering cheap tours to places either around Sussex and London.

Culture

Unlike Melbourne, England has small towns that have their own unique heart and culture. They are like mini cities that each have a completely different vibe. Brighton is a very liberal town and the people there are very unique and free spirited. They host a large mardi gras there each year and that attracts a large crowd. Because it is a beach side down the culture feels very relaxed.

Benefits of going on exchange

It helped to study a range of units that I was especially interested in without that mark being reflected on my transcript. Although I did put considerable effort into the subjects, the fact that I didn’t need to focus on an HD meant that I could try new writing styles and engage with the material differently.

Career Benefits

It has made me a more outgoing and confident person. I presume this will help me with job interviews and making friends in a workplace.

Money and Budgeting

The University of Sussex offered a lot of student discounts for trips and tours. Going out for dinner was very expensive so I did not do that often. I was quite liberal with my money and did not need to save too much before hand.

Top tips

• Be open to making friends and talk to everyone.
• Travel while you are at university.
• Live on campus.