Section 5 of the University of Sussex undergraduate prospectus 2009. Visit www.sussex.ac.uk to view online or order a printed copy of the 2010 prospectus.

1. International students
International students at Sussex Different routes to Sussex
at Sussex
Different routes to Sussex
O ur campus has a truly multicultural feel, with over 2,500
international students and teaching and research staff
from 120 countries.
Why Sussex is the right choice Find out more about us
Join one of the world’s top 150 Come and see us in your home country
universities Our International Liaison Team visit schools,
Highly placed in UK, European and world universities and education fairs all over the
rankings, we are a leading research world – from Shanghai to Mexico City. You
university. Our international reputation can find out when we’ll be in your country at
attracts teachers and researchers at the www.sussex.ac.uk/International/
forefront of their fields, and we’ve counted admissions/overseas.shtml
Nobel Prize winners and fellows of the Royal Talk to our former students
Society and British Academy among our staff. Our active network of Sussex graduates
Fulfil your potential with a Sussex spans the world and includes many high-
scholarship profile people from academia, business,
Our Chancellor’s International Scholarships media, politics and public service. You can
support the best in global talent, offering get in touch with former students (called
financial support to up to 40 exceptional Alumni Consuls) from over 50 countries.
students each year. See page 36 for details. They will be delighted to hear from you.
Enjoy our green campus, just an hour Their email addresses are available at
www.sussex.ac.uk/alumnidirectory
from central London
Our beautiful parkland campus has excellent Visit your local Sussex representative
transport links to London and the UK’s two Our trained representatives work closely
biggest airports – Heathrow and Gatwick. It’s with us to ensure they can provide you
also the perfect base for exploring the historic with up-to-date information and advice on
towns and cities on England’s beautiful south applying to Sussex. We have representatives
coast. in Bangladesh, China, Cyprus, East Africa,
Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Discover Brighton, the UK’s most exciting
Iran, Israel, Japan, Korea, Libya, Malaysia,
seaside city
Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore,Sri
We’re just eight minutes by train from the
Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE and Vietnam.
centre of Brighton – one of the most lively
See page 163 for their contact details or visit
and cosmopolitan cities in the UK. The city
www.sussex.ac.uk/International/agents
has a great beach, an outstanding choice of
restaurants, cafés and bars, and every year Join our international admission schemes
hosts England’s largest arts festival. We co-operate with colleges in China, Greece
and Nigeria to help prepare students for study
Find out why our students voted us
at Sussex. If you satisfactorily complete the
‘Best Place to be’
relevant course, these schemes will guarantee
In an i-graduate survey (International Student
you a place with us. See page 163 for a list of
Barometer autumn 2006) of 40 universities,
the schemes and contact details.
our international students voted Sussex the
‘Best Place to be’ – a tribute to the quality of
our student experience. Students highly rated
our location, facilities, quality of academic
teaching and all-round friendliness.
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2. Welcoming and supporting you
International students at Sussex Different routes to Sussex
Feel at home in University
accommodation
Our University-managed accommodation
is guaranteed for international students for
the first year of your degree – provided you
submit your application by the deadline.
So you don’t need to worry about finding
somewhere to live before arriving in Brighton.
Our campus provides a safe and convenient
environment for your first year at University.
See pages 18-19 for more information.
Come to us for help and advice
Our International and Study Abroad Office
can help you with any problems at University,
providing advice on matters such as
immigration, finance and life in the UK. We
also have dedicated international advisors for
students from China, Japan and South Asia.
Take part in our events
Our International and Study Abroad Office
is here to help you make the most of your
experience at Sussex. With their support,
you can learn about different cultures
and experience the British way of life. It
starts with an introductory programme in
the week before the start of the academic
year, followed by day trips, social events,
parties and opportunities to meet former
Sussex students through our Alumni Host
Programme.
Observe your faith
You can find our Muslim Student Centre
and mosque on campus, along with our
chaplaincy catering for a range of religions. In
Brighton, there are two mosques, a Buddhist
centre, Islamic centre, Jewish centre and
Greek and Russian Orthodox churches.
Helping you with the English language
Pre-sessional support before your degree
You can enrol on pre-sessional English
courses (before the academic year starts)
at our Sussex Language Institute to help
you gain the English skills required for our
degrees. You can join courses in July, August
or September – and there’s no need to take
another IELTS test at the end of the courses.
For more information about our English
language requirements, see page 162.
Support during your degree
Our Sussex Language Institute also offers
in-sessional English support (after the
academic year starts) to help you with
your degree studies. Our language support
and study skills workshops are free for
international students.
Contact our Sussex Language Institute
The Institute is British Council accredited and
a founder member of QuiTE (The Association
for Quality in TESOL Education), so you
can be sure of the quality of its teaching
and support. For information on general,
academic, IELTS or professional English, get
in touch by emailing efl@sussex.ac.uk or visit
www.sussex.ac.uk/languages
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3. International Foundation
International Foundation Year at Sussex Different routes to Sussex
Year at Sussex
Different routes to Sussex
I f you come from an education system outside the EU, you
can join our International Foundation Year to bridge the gap
between your high-school studies and our degrees. Satisfactory
completion of our foundation year will guarantee your
progression to our undergraduate degree programmes.
International Foundation Year Subject areas
Our International Foundation Year (IFY): The IFY academic and language courses are
Mohsen’s
• is based in our dedicated International Study grouped into five broad subject streams (see perspective
Centre in the heart of the Sussex campus below). You apply to do a particular stream in
line with your intended area of undergraduate ‘My
x foundation year studying
• is closely linked to a wide range of study, and select the actual degree during engineering and computing at
x
undergraduate degrees Sussex gave me an idea of what I
x
your foundation year. Tutors will provide should expect when studying for
x
• is taught by specialists in university you with information and advice about your an
x undergraduate degree. Most
preparation, some of whom also lecture on degree choice and the application process. importantly, it helped me with
x
degree courses at Sussex Provided you obtain the required grades at language, and especially with my
x
the end of your year, you will progress to your skills in writing, reading and giving
x
• offers flexible start dates in September or Sussex degree programme in the following presentations.
x
January October.
‘Our relationship with our teachers was
x
really close and we could ask them
x
• has a genuinely diverse international English language requirements about any problem that we had, and
x
student community – in 2007/08 students You will need at least IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) they were always helpful and ready to
x
joined us from 29 countries to start on our IFY. If your IELTS result is lower, give advice.
x
‘I’m
x now studying satellite
• has an excellent record of students you can join our English language preparation communication and space systems
x
progressing to their chosen degree courses before you start − for one term if (MEng), and I can’t wait to apply my
x
programmes. you have IELTS 4.0 or two terms if you have new skills by working in my chosen
x
You are guaranteed University-managed IELTS 3.0. field.’
accommodation – all within a short walk of How to apply Mohsen
Fatoorechi
the International Study Centre – provided you Applications must specify one of our five
apply by the appropriate deadline. You will also subject streams and should be made through
be welcomed into the University community, the International Study Centre (see contact
with access to a range of facilities including the details below right). For fees information
Library, IT Services and the Students’ Union, see page 166. Students would normally be at
which runs over 150 societies and sports clubs. least 17 years old.
IFY streams Subject areas from which you may choose your degree
Business, management Business and management studies or Economics
and economics
Engineering and computing Computing, Engineering (electrical, electronic and
computer systems), Engineering (mechanical, automotive
and design), Engineering for society, Mathematics, Physics
and astronomy or Product design
Law and social studies Anthropology, Development studies, Economics,
Geography, History, International relations, Law, Politics or For more information or to apply for
Sociology the International Foundation Year,
please contact:
Life sciences Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental science, Student Enrolment Advisors,
Ecology and conservation, Human sciences, Medical 1 Billinton Way, Brighton,
neuroscience, Molecular genetics, Molecular medicine, East Sussex BN1 4LF, UK
Neuroscience or Psychology T +44 (0)1273 339333
Media studies Film studies, Media studies or Sociology F +44 (0)1273 339334
www.sussex.ac.uk/isc
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4. Centre for Continuing
CCE: flexible study Different routes to Sussex
Education: flexible study
Different routes to Sussex
I f you would like to study at university level but feel you lack
the necessary qualifications, confidence or time to undertake
a full-time degree, the Centre for Continuing Education offers
part-time higher education in a relaxed, supportive and relatively
informal environment.
The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) Study time
at Sussex specialises in providing flexible, Contact time with the teaching team is two to
part-time adult education. Our programmes three hours a week for most courses, but this
are designed to offer opportunities for those can vary. There may also be additional day
who, for whatever reason, are unable to study schools or field trips each term. You should
full time. plan to spend at least eight hours a week, in
We offer a range of programmes that carry addition to your classes, on preparation and
higher education credit. You can accumulate coursework. You will also need to spend about
credit for the award of a degree (360 credits), 16 hours producing work for assessment (often
or make the decision to exit early, using your in vacations). Your tutor will give you guidance
credit to gain a certificate (120 credits) or a and support in drawing up a study plan.
diploma (240 credits). Our tutors
BA Creativity and the Arts (part-time) All our tutors are experienced in university
Looking at the relationship between theory adult education and understand the concerns
and practice in the creative arts, this BA of people who may not have studied for
degree offers you the opportunity to study some time, and the pressures of busy lives
from a range of courses including art history, with competing work and family demands.
creative writing, literature and music (see The tutors are experts in their field and are
page 67 for further information). We also engaged with current academic arguments
offer a two-year certificate in Creative Writing. and debates.
BA Archaeology and Landscape Open courses
(part-time) We offer a range of short courses that carry
Examining the relationship between the credits that you can accumulate towards a
landscape, the environment, natural forces certificate, diploma or part-time degree – or
and people over time, this BA degree offers can be studied just for the enjoyment of it.
you the opportunity to study from a range of A total of 60 credits can be used towards an
courses including archaeology, conservation, award as appropriate.
ecology, field biology, geology and local Open courses are offered throughout
history (see page 46 for further information). East and West Sussex, as well as at the
We also offer a two-year certificate in University’s Falmer campus. All open
Practical Archaeology. courses offered by CCE are open to anyone,
BA Cultures and Communities irrespective of educational qualifications and
(part-time) experience. Contact CCE for course details.
At the cutting edge of intellectual debate Continuing Professional Development
and professional practice, this BA offers Many programmes are used by our students
the opportunity to study from a range to help them change careers, improve their For more information about our
of courses including life history work, promotion prospects, or to get more out of part-time degrees or certificates, or
community development, cultural studies, for advice on how to register, contact
their job. Arts and cultural management, life Centre for Continuing Education,
women’s studies, film and arts and cultural history work and conservation are just three Essex House,
management (see page 70 for further examples. In addition CCE also offers a range University of Sussex, Falmer,
information). We also offer a two-year of courses in Deaf Studies (and British Sign Brighton BN1 9QQ, UK
certificate in Arts and Cultural Management. Language) specifically designed for those T +44 (0)1273 877888
E si-enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
who work with the Deaf Community. www.sussex.ac.uk/cce
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5. Support and advice
Mature students
Mature students at Sussex Different routes to Sussex
As a mature student your needs and
experiences may be very different from
at Sussex your younger colleagues and so we have a
range of support and advice services to help
you. Our gateway day, especially for mature
Different routes to Sussex freshers, is designed to ease you into your
new surroundings, with a range of workshops,
tours and social events. For those with
children, the University runs a crèche and
nursery (see page 21).
U niversity-level study is not just for school leavers.
People return to study at different times of life
and for many different reasons. Some are looking for a
The Union runs an advice centre, providing
help with issues such as benefits and
accommodation problems. If you are looking
for part-time work, the University’s Career
lifestyle change, some for a new career path and others Development and Employment Centre can
find that their changing family commitments mean help (see pages 24-25). And, if you feel your
essay-writing skills are rather rusty, we also
they now have time for themselves. Whatever your run a mentor scheme so you can get support
situation, Sussex is a great place to be student. and advice.
Sussex has a number of student advisors
who are here to help you with any problems
Sarah’s We have a tradition of welcoming mature you may have, be they personal, financial or
perspective applicants to Sussex. At the moment, academic.
‘
xIn my late 20s I suddenly realised approximately a quarter of our undergraduate
after neglecting the idea of university
x population is classed as mature. We have no Funding your studies
for
x so long that I actually really wanted upper age limit and have seen the graduation We know that one of the major concerns
to
x find out what I’d been missing. I of two 76-year-olds. We are acknowledged of anyone thinking of returning to study is
joined an Access to Higher Education
x
as a leading university in the admission of funding. There are grants, such as the Adult
course and it didn’t take long for the
x Dependants’ Grant for those with adult
enjoyment of studying to return.
x
mature students.
dependants, and the Childcare Grant and
‘Applying for Sussex was frightening
x Your contribution
and
x empowering at the same time.
Parents’ Learning Allowance for students with
Our interest in mature students does not dependent children. For further information,
I
x was unsure of my ability to engage
and
x keep up with the pace after being
stem only from our commitment to social visit www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
out
x of education for several years diversity. We encourage mature applicants
but, arriving at Sussex, it was soon
x because we know that, generally, more There are no age restrictions for the tuition
apparent that what I lack in recent
x experienced students are highly motivated, fee loan or other Government grants;
educational experience I make up for
x focused and successful. Our tutors regularly however, there are age restrictions on the
in
x life experience and analysis skills. comment on the outstanding contribution loan for living costs (eg UK students living in
‘Being a mature student with
x England must be under 60 at the start of the
commitments like raising my partner’s
x
to seminar discussions that mature students
make and we are proud to watch our degree programme). For more information
little boys has meant I need extra
x
support in making my timetable fit my
x students increase in confidence as their about fees and funding, see pages 34-36.
life.
x I was concerned that this support studies progress. Whatever your background, Find out more
wouldn’t be available, but the faculty
x returning to study can be a life-changing To find out whether you are ready to take the
have been more than helpful and done
x experience. leap into university life, we invite you to
whatever they can to make life easier
x
and help me slot in.’ Because of the value of experience, and attend one of our open days (see page 5).
the recognition that you may have certain We give talks on mature student life at
Sarah Bolland
commitments, we take a flexible approach Sussex, and are happy to answer any
when extending offers to mature students. questions you might have. We also have
You are not necessarily expected to fulfil a mature student advisor who is happy to
the general entrance requirements, but you advise anyone who is considering applying
must be able to demonstrate the potential to to Sussex as a mature student.
handle degree-level work before we can offer You may wish to attend one of our regular
you a place. mature student drop-in sessions, to take a
Events and societies tour of the campus and to ask questions. To
Once you get here you will soon find that book a place on one of the sessions, please
you are part of a lively community of like- visit our website at www.sussex.ac.uk
minded people. We have an active Mature or call +44 (0)1273 678417.
Students’ Society, which organises social For more information on entry requirements
activities and promotes the needs of older and applying to Sussex as a mature
students. The Society enables you to meet student, please visit www.sussex.ac.uk/
mature students from other academic years advice4students
and subject groups. There is also a parents’
group, providing support and discussion, and
an elected mature students’ representative.
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