University of Sussex
speciality: Psychology

I am currently studying Psychology with Economics at the University of Sussex, and overall my experience has been very positive. Sussex is a great place for students who enjoy an open, international and slightly unconventional academic environment.

Academic Experience

The Psychology department is one of the university’s strongest areas. Lecturers are supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about their research, especially in areas like social psychology, cognitive neuroscience and behavioural science. I’ve also found it easy to get involved in research yourself for example, I joined a placement in the REAL Lab, where I assist PhD students on projects related to trauma and therapy. Opportunities like this are a major highlight if you’re proactive and curious.

Studying Economics alongside Psychology gives a nice interdisciplinary balance, though the intensity fluctuates depending on the module. The course material is engaging but requires strong self-motivation, which is something to keep in mind.

Campus & Student Life

Sussex has a very friendly, welcoming campus culture. Because the university is set in Falmer, it feels like its own community, but Brighton is only a short train ride away. This balance works perfectly, peaceful campus life with access to a vibrant city full of independent cafes, arts, nightlife and the beach.

Socially, there are societies for almost every interest. I joined the Hockey society and Marketing Society and found it a great way to meet people and gain industry-relevant skills. In general, the student community is diverse, open-minded and supportive.

Facilities & Support

The library, study spaces and labs are well maintained, and the staff are always willing to help. Student support services like wellbeing teams and advisors are good, though at busy times responses can be slower. As a student ambassador, I’ve seen first-hand how much effort the university puts into helping prospective students feel comfortable and informed.

What Could Improve

Some admin processes can be slow, and certain modules feel more organised than others. Career support is useful but works best when you take initiative and seek out opportunities yourself.

Overall

The University of Sussex is an excellent choice if you want strong academic support, a friendly environment, and the chance to explore interdisciplinary study. It’s especially great for students who value creativity, independence and a strong sense of community.

I would definitely recommend it to students who want a balanced university experience with both academic depth and a vibrant social scene.

The University of Sussex provided an incredibly supportive and enriching environment for my master’s in Childhood and Youth Studies. The faculty were approachable and always available to guide, fostering a space for academic growth and exploration. The interdisciplinary approach broadened my perspective, while the welcoming campus atmosphere made it easy to connect with others and feel part of a vibrant community. Overall, Sussex was the perfect place to learn, offering the right balance of support, resources, and an inspiring environment.

I would recommend every-time.

– Great support from curriculum tutors.
– Diverse university professional studies.
– Amazing support for RPK and APK.
– Right amount of University assignments vs placements.
– Very contactable staff, including those in charge of the ITE course.

The professors are exceptional and the resources they provide are also amazing. The amount of support for students is phenomenal and goes above and beyond. The areas for improvement are in the facilities themselves, the available study space is limited, food is lacking in quantity and is not accessible to those on a lower budget.

Considering the implications of covid and lockdowns etc… My course leaders have been very supportive. I struggled, as I’m sure lots of us have, with poor mental health and the university made a conscious effort to check in with me when my attendance began to drop. This kind approach helped me to trust my teachers and get me back on track.
In regard to the course content itself, it’s a diverse degree that opens doors for many career options. This has been perfect for me, but may not suit all as you might struggle with certain modules that just don’t interest you. Furthermore, the course also lacks key readings and/or papers from BAME groups. I feel that it is not inclusive enough. However, this was brought up by our current year group and will hopefully change in the future.

Loved my course and the diversity of modules, as well as the opportunities for placements, years abroad and electives/pathways. The city made my experience great and made friends for life’s here, thank you!

Yes I would recommend my program- the professors are generally easy to contact and very approachable
The campus is very green and has good facilities
The downside to this university is the lack of events and the expensive location
Also, there aren’t so many places for students to go on campus to socialise.

The university is really well equipped and the environment makes me enjoy my time at Sussex.
Brighton is an amazing place to go to university and met so many people from different backgrounds. I would recommend.

I really love coming to Sussex, because it’s in the South Downs you don’t feel overwhelmed or like you’re trapped like you can do in a big city. All of the staff are really welcoming and you don’t feel uncomfortable asking them for help with your course. If you do feel uncomfortable talking to people you don’t know, you have your own academic adviser who can really help you with course issues but also if you are having any personal problems. I would say that a down side is definitely the price, the shops on campus are all really expensive and the accommodation is expensive and sometimes you end up having quite a few problems in your flat over the space of a year.