Recruiter Profile: University of Sussex

The University of Sussex was the first of the new wave of universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in August 1961. Forty years on, the University has become a leading teaching and research institution, characterised by a number of academic strengths including research excellence, internationalism and interdisciplinarity.

Research excellence

Sussex is a leading research university, as reflected in the 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise. All subjects at Sussex were rated as either grade 4 or 5, recognising research of national and international standard respectively. Over 90% of staff are researching at this high level, the majority in areas of international excellence.

In respect of teaching quality, 13 of the 15 subjects assessed under the current teaching quality assessment scheme have scored 21 or more points (out of 24), with Philosophy and Sociology achieving the maximum score. Under the previous assessment scheme, Music, English and Social Anthropology were judged Excellent.

The quality of Sussex research work is reflected in the high level of funding it attracts from outside the University. Substantial University funds have also been invested in developing and refurbishing research facilities in recent years.

International reputation

Sussex has an international reputation for its innovative styles of teaching and for the quality and range of its research work. It has academic links with every continent, with 2,300 international students and teaching/research staff from over 120 nations. Additionally, many Sussex undergraduates spend a year of their degree outside the UK.

Interdisciplinary focus

Sussex is distinctive both academically and organisationally. The commitment to interdisciplinarity, whereby students are encouraged to broaden their academic horizons by studying topics other than those directly allied to their major subject, remains strong. Reinforcing this approach, the University is organised into Schools of Study and Graduate Research Centres, rather than more traditional faculties or departments, promoting the cross fertilisation of knowledge between subjects. Over 250 undergraduate and 200 taught postgraduate courses are now offered.

Campus life

Sussex is the only university in England which is entirely located in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The University campus is like a large, self-contained village, with lecture theatres, seminar rooms, libraries, laboratories, accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops and sports facilities all within easy walking distance. Just a few minutes away is the lively seaside city of Brighton with its great leisure facilities and its rich, varied cultural life.

Buildings in the heart of campus were designed by the renowned architect Sir Basil Spence. These include Falmer House, which won one of the coveted medals of the Royal Institute of British Architects in the year it opened (1962), and the striking circular Meeting House based on the design of the traditional oast house which won a Civic Trust award in 1969. In 1993, the buildings which make up the core of Sir Basil Spence's original design were given listed building status. Falmer House was one of only two educational buildings in the UK to be given Grade 1 status of "exceptional interest".

Over the past 40 years new buildings have been added as the University has expanded and its requirements have changed. In 2007, two new halls of residence opened with over 700 en-suite rooms becoming available. Construction of an £8 million teaching facility is also due to start in 2007.

A distinguished faculty

The University's international reputation attracts teachers and researchers at the forefront of their fields. Sussex is proud to have counted Nobel Prize winners and fellows of the Royal Society and British Academy on its staff. Faculty publish around 3,000 papers, journal articles and books each year, as well as being involved in consultative work across the world.

Unique resources

Its consistently high reputation in experimental subjects has ensured that Sussex has an excellent infrastructure of laboratories and academic support services. The Library has impressive IT facilities and over 1,000 reader spaces. The stock comprises over 800,000 printed volumes (about 15,000 books are added each year), while much of the information researchers may need is now available electronically. The Library is noted for its specialist holdings including the Virginia Woolf, Rudyard Kipling and New Statesman papers, the Mass Observation Archive (a unique social history resource), and a European Documentation Centre (with its collection of European Union publications).

A university for the region

The knowledge, training and facilities at the University are also used to promote the economic development of the region, an important example of which is the Academic Corridor project, in which Sussex plays a key role. The project is based on the geographical 'corridor' of educational institutions flanking the main A27 road from Lewes to central Brighton, and its flagship is the Sussex Innovation Centre housed on the University campus. This Centre is a key resource for the area and its facilities for high-technology companies and support for business development provides additional means of commercially exploiting the University's research and expertise.

Lifelong learning

Sussex is strongly committed to expanding its local and regional role. A central part of its mission is to contribute to the enhancement of the economic, educational and cultural life of the locality and it has formal relationships with over a dozen colleges of further and higher education in the region. The University is also committed to the principle of lifelong learning. This is put into practice through its Centre for Continuing Education, which offers short courses both on the campus and at locations throughout the county.