University of Sussex
The first of Britain's 1960s universities: a listed Basil Spence campus in the South Downs, minutes from Brighton.
- Students
- 19,261
- International
- 33%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 17:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £24,200
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1961
About Sussex
The University of Sussex received its royal charter in 1961, the first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s. Its campus at Falmer sits in rolling parkland surrounded by the South Downs National Park, a few minutes from Brighton. The central buildings were designed by Sir Basil Spence and listed in 1993; Falmer House, the campus's central communal building, is Grade I listed.
Sussex has 19,261 students (2024-25), around a third from overseas, and is organised into four faculties: Media, Arts and Humanities; Science, Engineering and Medicine (including the Brighton and Sussex Medical School); Social Sciences; and the University of Sussex Business School, which includes SPRU, the Science Policy Research Unit. It is known for interdisciplinary teaching and for research strengths such as climate change and development studies. Six Nobel Prize winners have been members of staff.
The university suits students who want a campus with a strong social conscience and a relaxed, creative city on the doorstep. Sussex won the Unifresher 'Happiest uni in the UK' award for the second year running, and many courses offer a placement year, a study abroad year or an integrated Masters.
Be still and know
University motto
Why students choose Sussex
Accommodation is guaranteed for new undergraduates starting in 2026-27 and 2027-28 who apply by the deadline.
The Sussex Guarantee cuts your offer by up to 8 UCAS points (16 with Sussex Guarantee Plus) if you attend an Open Day, summer school or Sussex Inspires and make Sussex your firm choice.
Psychology at Sussex is 8th in the UK in THE's subject rankings 2026.
Brighton, voted one of the best cities in the world by Time Out in 2025, is a few minutes from campus and an hour by train from central London.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Sussex does not publish an overall offer rate. Typical offers for most courses are ABB–BBB, rising to AAB for Psychology and AAB–ABB for Law, with AAA for Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Contextual offers are available.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | Course-specific, e.g. ABB–BBB (Economics, Computer Science, International Relations, International Development), AAB–ABB (Law), AAB (Psychology), AAA including Biology or Chemistry (Medicine at BSMS) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 32 points (e.g. Economics, Computer Science, International Relations) or 34 points (Law, Psychology) |
| English language | IELTS 6 Course-specific; e.g. IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for Economics. Scores must come from a single sitting and be valid when the course begins; IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAT required. Applicants who meet the adjusted (contextual) offer criteria and score SJT band 1-3 were all invited to interview in the last cycle, and applicants at a sixth form or college in Sussex get a guaranteed interview.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses; UCAS accepts late applications until 30 June 2027, but some courses may fill earlier.
13 January 2027 is the UCAS equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry (Sussex's applying page still cites the previous cycle's mid-January date). Apply for accommodation by the published summer deadline to keep the housing guarantee.
How to apply
All full-time undergraduates, including international students, apply through UCAS (institution code S90). You submit a personal statement and reference; some courses interview, and Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (UCAS code B74) requires the UCAT, with interviews allocated by SJT band and UCAT score.
What admissions looks for
- Grades at or near the typical offer, plus any required subjects for your course.
- A strong UCAS personal statement; Sussex publishes its own tips for writing it.
- Context: Sussex considers all factors and sometimes makes contextual offers to applicants who have had less support.
- Engagement with the university: attending an Open Day, summer school or Sussex Inspires can lower your offer through the Sussex Guarantee.
Tips for applying to Sussex
- 1 Attend an in-person Open Day (autumn 2026 or summer 2027) and upload your participation certificate before an offer is made to get up to 8 UCAS points off; the Sussex Guarantee does not apply to Medicine.
- 2 Many degrees come in placement-year, study-abroad or integrated Masters versions; choose the version you want on your UCAS form.
- 3 For Medicine, you must sit the UCAT; applicants studying at a sixth form or college in Sussex can qualify for a guaranteed interview.
- 4 Check the scholarship search: first-year awards of up to £5,000 are available for UK and international students.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
Sussex offers undergraduate scholarships for UK and international students worth up to £5,000 in the first year, plus the Sussex Bursary for UK students; a searchable database shows which awards you are eligible for.
- Up to £5,000 (UK and international)
- First-year undergraduate scholarships
Academics
International Development (BA)
Taught in the School of Global Studies; development studies is one of Sussex's leading areas of expertise. ABB–BBB or 32 IB points.
Psychology (BSc)
8th in the UK in THE's subject rankings 2026; AAB or 34 IB points, with a placement-year option.
International Relations (BA)
ABB–BBB, part of Sussex's strong social sciences in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Law (LLB)
AAB–ABB, taught in the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.
Economics (BA/BSc)
ABB–BBB, in the Business School alongside SPRU, the Science Policy Research Unit.
Medicine (BM BS)
A five-year degree awarded jointly with the University of Brighton through Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
Research
- In REF 2021, 89% of Sussex research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and 93% of its research impact was outstanding or very considerable.
- Six Nobel Prize winners have been members of staff, including chemist Sir Harry Kroto and physicist Sir Anthony Leggett.
- The Sussex Innovation Centre has hosted more than 160 companies with cumulative revenue above £250 million.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- University of Sussex Business School
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Sussex was 15th in the UK for employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings, and its Careers and Entrepreneurship team won the Grand Prix and Sustainable Careers awards at the Graduate Futures Awards 2026.
Student life
Sussex's campus at Falmer mixes Basil Spence's red-brick and concrete arches with open lawns and woodland on the edge of the South Downs, so cycling and walking on the Downs are part of student life, as are campus traditions like One World Week. Students have twice voted it the happiest university in the UK in the Unifresher awards. New undergraduates are guaranteed a room if they apply on time, and the university's living-costs guide also covers renting a room in a shared house in Brighton. The city, with its seafront, live music and the UK's biggest Pride festival, is a few minutes away.
- Unifresher 'Happiest uni in the UK' award, two years running.
- Falmer House, Basil Spence's central communal building, is Grade I listed.
- Campus events such as One World Week, plus cycling and walking on the South Downs.
- Guaranteed accommodation for new undergraduates in 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Housing. Accommodation is guaranteed for new undergraduates who apply by the summer deadline (31 July for 2026 entry), with some exceptions such as first-year BSMS students, who are housed through the University of Brighton.
Location
The campus is at Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton and Hove, on England's south coast, surrounded by the South Downs National Park. Brighton is known for its seafront, the Lanes and North Laine shopping streets, gigs every night of the week, the Brighton Festival each May and Brighton Pride. Central London is an hour away by train and Gatwick is about 30 minutes from Brighton.
Nearest airport: London Gatwick (LGW)
Notable alumni
- IM Ian McEwanNovelist and screenwriter
- TM Thabo MbekiPresident of South Africa (1999–2008)
- FM Festus MogaePresident of Botswana (1998–2008)
- CA Carlos Alvarado QuesadaPresident of Costa Rica
- RG Rebeca GrynspanEconomist; Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) since 2021
- HB Hilary BennUK Labour politician; Secretary of State for International Development (2003–07) and for Northern Ireland (2024–26)
- SK Sir Keith SkeochFormer chief executive of Standard Life
- HB Helen BoadenFormer BBC director
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Sussex?
Most courses ask for ABB–BBB at A-level or 32 IB points; Psychology asks for AAB (34 IB), Law AAB–ABB (34 IB) and Medicine AAA. The Sussex Guarantee can lower your offer by up to 8 UCAS points.
How much does Sussex cost for international students?
For 2027 entry, international fees on the courses we checked are £24,200 a year for subjects such as Economics, Law and International Relations and £28,100 for Computer Science and Psychology. UK students pay £10,050.
Is accommodation guaranteed at Sussex?
Yes. Sussex guarantees accommodation for new undergraduates starting in 2026-27 and 2027-28 who apply by the deadline, with a few exceptions.
How do I apply to study Medicine at Sussex?
Apply through UCAS to Brighton and Sussex Medical School (course code B74) by 15 October 2026 and sit the UCAT. The standard offer is AAA including Biology or Chemistry, and interviews are allocated using the UCAT and SJT band.
What IELTS score does Sussex require?
It depends on the course; for example, Economics requires IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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