About Sussex

The University of Sussex is a leading research-intensive university near Brighton, in the South East of the UK Surrounded by the South Downs National Park, the campus combines award-winning architecture with green open spaces. Sussex is currently ranked 1^st in the World for Development Studies, and Top 100 worldwide for Social Science. Sussex has also won awards for student diversity, student retention, and environmental sustainability.

Sussex has more than 18,000 students, with over 30% of the student body joining from outside of the UK. Sussex has over 200 Canadian students (2022/23), and has the second-largest intake of Canadian Law students in the UK.

Law at Sussex

Sussex Law School is one of the most successful and vibrant in the UK. Ranked in the Top 100 worldwide (World University Rankings 2019), it houses award-winning teachers and is a leading research intensive institution. Students explore law in its political, social, economic and cultural contexts, allowing them to understand yet question and challenge current legal theory.

Experiential Opportunities

Once at Sussex you can get involved in legal competitions to develop legal practice skills, giving you the opportunity to boost your employability and network with law firms. You can take part in these competitions in all stages of your studies. Sussex runs a range of contests, including:

negotiation
client interviewing
criminal advocacy
mooting

By taking part in these Sussex-run events, you will gain valuable experience and enhance your skills before competing at national and international levels. Sussex law students have a strong history of success in various mooting competitions in the UK and internationally.

Sussex Clinical Legal Education

The program’s range of clinical legal work also will allow you to use your developing expertise in the real world. Sussex Clinical Legal Education has links to a variety of not-for-profit legal projects and offers you the opportunity to expand your education and skills in a practical way. Some of the current legal projects include:

Migration Law Clinic
Criminal Justice Law Clinic
Family Law Clinic
Employment Law Clinic

Housing

Sussex offers 11 varied housing options to choose from, both on and off campus. In your first year, you are guaranteed university-managed housing. All rooms are single occupancy, providing you with your own space to relax and study. About 45% of accommodations offer ensuite rooms, with the rest sharing bathroom facilities.

All accommodations include a communal kitchen and social area. To see the range of accommodations offered, visit University of Sussex Accommodations.

For your second and third years you will move off campus to the lively city of Brighton.

Clubs and Societies

Getting involved with your interests outside of the classroom is a great way to integrate into a new University, and Sussex offers over 180 student-led societies. There are plenty to choose from and they are simple to join, and if you can't find the one you're looking for it is simple to start your own. Below is a selection of what was offered in the 2022/23 academic year:

Album Listening
Anime and Manga
Big Band
Canadian Student Law
Dog Walking
Drag
Lawyers Without Boarders
LQBTQ+
Model UN
Photography
Running
Baking
Screenwriting
E-Sports
Musical Theatre
Craft Beer

Sports Clubs

There are over 40 sports clubs to get involved in at Sussex, from competition level clubs to development and social clubs. You will get the chance to play local teams, and travel around the country competing against other universities as part of the British Universities and Colleges (BUCs) League:

American football
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Cricket
Equestrian Sports
Football
Hockey
Lacrosse
Motorsports
Mountaineering
Netball
Pole
Running
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Skating
Squash
Dance
Surf
Cheerleading
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Yoga

Brighton

A Sussex experience is inextricably linked to Brighton . A young, exciting city to live, it is just 9 minutes from the Sussex campus, so you will get to know it well. Brighton is home to around 300,000 residents, with another 40,000 students joining during semester. Brighton is a friendly and welcoming city and is the place you can be exactly who you’d like to be. It is well-known for its cultural scene and was voted Hipster Capital of the World in 2021. It is also home to Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, a Premier League football team.

Being coastal, the beach is a big part of life in Brighton year-round. The seafront is home to great restaurants, bars and nightlife. Beach sports are also something locals like to indulge in, with different venues, courts and a newly opened outdoor swimming pool. And, if you’re brave enough to take a dip in the English Channel, you might like to try paddle-boarding, sea kayaking or join one of the sea swimming clubs.

City life in Brighton is vibrant and cosmopolitan. The city is embracing of the arts, with multiple theatres, museums, galleries and live music venues. The true essence of Brighton is found in The Laines, the original streets from its fishing village days in the 17^th century! Here you’ll find independently run cafes, bars, restaurants, boutiques, markets and more - a perfect place to get lost for the day. Festivals and celebrations feed into Brighton’s bohemian nature. Some particular highlights each year are Brighton Pride, the Brighton Festival and The Great Escape, as well as multiple smaller ones too.

There are also loads of outdoor activities to keep you entertained at Sussex. The campus itself (being in the grounds of the South Downs National Park) means hikes, trail runs and off-road biking are on your doorstep. This national park stretches for miles across the county of Sussex, with incredible locations short train and bus rides from Brighton; see where the countryside meets the sea.