Brighton, England

University of Sussex Partnership

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University of Sussex Partnership

Program Overview

STRONG STEM PROGRAMS AND MORE ON ENGLAND’S SOUTH COAST

Recognized by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Sussex is also known for innovative teaching styles and excellent STEM programs. The university is organized into schools of study that connect related subjects. No matter what they study, students consistently give Sussex top marks for satisfaction.

The self-contained campus is surrounded by South Downs National Park, four miles from seaside Brighton (home of the famous Brighton Pier), and a one-hour train trip to London.

Your program also includes IFSA excursions and activities that give you deeper cultural insights, with no extra fees. Possibilities include a West End theater performance, a session in the famous The Great British Bake Off tent, and exploring below ground with a former coal miner in Wales.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: March 15

Academic Year: March 15

Spring: Oct. 1

Minimum GPA

2.80

Credit load

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Instruction language

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn more.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

To view available classes at the University of Sussex, visit the Sussex class catalog.

IFSA requires students to enroll in a full class load abroad. A full load at Sussex is 120 Sussex credits for the year.

Credit Conversion
15 credits= 4 U.S. semester credit hours
30 credits= 8 U.S. semester credit hours

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

Fourth-year (Level 7 and higher) are Masters Level and are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of Sussex:

More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing 10 hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
More advanced instruction and work than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Because most English university degrees are three-year programs, students gain specialized knowledge faster here.
Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members.
Grades are often based on a single final exam or final paper, or on just a few assignments.
Choose classes from one department to avoid scheduling conflicts. Local students usually specialize in one department for classes, which means different departments don’t schedule classes with other departments in mind.
Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor for academic support. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
You must have completed at least one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the program.
Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

The Great British Bake Off Experience: Step into the famous white tent and don your apron for this immersive baking experience. Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off, you’ll work in pairs and bake a dessert against the clock that will be judged by the head baker. You’ll even be able to take home your creation at the end!
West End Theatre Performance: No time in the UK would be complete without a trip to the West End, London’s famous theatre district. Shows are chosen that provide context or different perspectives on London/the UK/Europe. Recent examples include Operation Mincemeat and Cabaret.
Sustainability Garden: Visit a community garden started to rewild urban space and respond to the challenges of urban sustainable food production in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. By speaking to gardeners, learn more about the impact of sustainable practices on the biodiversity of urban areas and how they’re trying to widen participation in their local community. Make sure to dress appropriately because we’ll be getting our hands dirty!

Excursions

Dover Castle Tour: Sitting proudly atop the white cliffs of Dover and looking out over the English Channel, Dover Castle has served as a costal stronghold for more than 900 years. The site showcases its utility throughout different historical eras, from Henry II’s medieval tower and intricate network of tunnels winding behind the white cliffs, to its use as a seat of government, military planning, and wartime hospital during World War II.
Stonehenge and Bath Visit: Stonehenge has stood on Salisbury Plain for around 5,000 years and it’s still unknown how the prehistoric monument came to rest there! Make up your own mind during this visit and discover the fascinating theories behind these rocks. You’ll learn about Stonehenge from the fascinating exhibits and be able to enjoy a virtual sunrise as it rises over the prehistoric stones! Afterward, travel to the Roman city of Bath for a walking tour of this World Heritage city once home to Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Gainsborough, Lord Nelson, and Beau Nash. Then prepare to travel back 2,000 years to the Roman era with a visit to the Roman Baths.
Piers and Queers Brighton Trip: Since the 18th century, Brighton has become a cosmopolitan place of recreation, escape, and freedom. A destination for people who didn’t conform. With an LGBTQ+ population now estimated at 15%, Brighton celebrated England’s first civil partnerships, and hosts the UK’s largest Pride event as well as Europe’s first Trans Pride, rightly earning its title as the LGBTQ+ Capital of Britain. Peers and Queers is a tour of Brighton from LGBTQ+ perspective. This colorful 90-minute walk along the beach and historic city center takes in more than 200 years of history including Regency Dandies, 1950s lesbian and gay life, and political activism. Afterward, there’s time for a walk on the pier and fish and chips, just watch out for seagulls!
Big Welsh Weekend: Delve into the rich history of Wales and explore its unique culture and its complex relationship with the rest of the UK on a weekend that takes in the famous Tintern Abbey, the historic Raglan Castle, the Blaenavon coal mines, and St Fagan’s, a museum that has preserved buildings and cultural practices from Welsh history. Spend the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and discover the Cardiff Bay area, home of the Welsh Parliament.
Yorkshire Adventure: Explore the vibrant and historic county of Yorkshire on a weekend trip where you’ll discover how this English region has contributed to the UK’s cultural landscape. Highlights may include the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, the Piece Hall in Halifax, the Victorian model village of Saltaire, or the imposing Harewood House in Leeds.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Students at Sussex live in a variety of on-campus housing, either in dorm-style buildings or flats (apartment) buildings, divided for up to nine students. Students generally have single bedrooms and share bathrooms and kitchens.

Several housing options features extra amenities—like private bathrooms and on-site gyms—that warrant higher fees. Keep in mind that if you choose or are placed in more expensive housing, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to cover these costs.

Most housing is an easy walk to the center of campus and library, as well as Falmer Station, where you can catch a train to Brighton.

Sample housing

Explore Norwich House, one Sussex housing option, to see what your Brighton home might be like:

Location: On campus, a 10-minute walk to the center of campus. The library is .3 miles away.
Living space: Single rooms with a sink, bed, desk, lamp, chair, wardrobe, and storage. Share a bathroom with four other students, and a large kitchen–with stove, refrigerator, kettle, and possibly a microwave with 11 other students. Students provide bed sheets, towels, and basic kitchenware.
Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare or purchase meals, and many tell us cooking together and sharing meals is a fun, social part of the day.
Additional details: On-site management and security. Laundry facilities are .1 mile away.
Nearby: Falmer Station (10 minutes by train to Brighton). Brighton and Brighton Pier. Stanmer Park, a huge greenspace that’s part of South Downs National Park.