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

1. Where to live
Where to live Life at Sussex
Life at Sussex
W hen you first move to a new city, finding somewhere
to live can seem like a daunting task. At Sussex we
have a wide range of housing options geared to the needs
of postgraduate students.
You may want to live by the sea in Brighton & University-managed
Hove, or in the rolling parkland of the University accommodation
campus; you may have children or other We have expanded our housing for all categories
particular housing needs. Whatever your of students in recent years, adding over
preferences, our Housing Office is happy to 720 en-suite rooms at Stanmer Court and
discuss them with you. We put considerable Swanborough in 2007. All University-managed
effort into helping postgraduate students find housing is self-catering with shared kitchens
suitable accommodation and can provide many and other communal areas. If you live in one of
benefits and services, such as: our residences, you enjoy the benefits of having
• a guarantee of housing for all new full-time, a ready-made student community and facilities
full-year research students in their first year specifically designed with your needs in mind.
of study, and for non-EU Masters degree On campus
students registering in October who return the Postgraduate accommodation on campus is
housing application form along with a £250 typically found in Brighthelm and in Stanmer
prepayment before 1 August; Court, which is one of the University’s most Stanmer Court
• a choice of housing both on campus and in recently built residences. Each of the Brighthelm
nearby Brighton & Hove; houses has five study-bedrooms and communal Ronak’s
facilities, while Stanmer Court comprises a perspective
• individual telephones – with facilities for direct number of self-contained flats with large kitchen-
dialling and voicemail – in all study-bedrooms diners and individual en-suite bathrooms. There ‘I’m
x in the final year of my DPhil in Biochemistry
on campus; are also some studio units for postgraduate and
x I’m also a Residential Advisor (RA) in King’s
• broadband – internet connection giving access students in Stanmer Court and a number of Road. Being an RA means I offer help and advice to
x
shared rooms in East Slope. All kitchens have full students with any problems that arise, especially
x
to the University network service – in all study-
to
x those that are new to the country, and bring to
bedrooms on campus and wireless access in cooking facilities, but there are also many places
the
x attention of staff any issues residents may
certain off-campus residences; on campus to buy meals and snacks.
have. I also help to organise social events for the
x
• rental periods of up to 49 weeks – there is Brighton & Hove residents too.
x
no need to move out in the vacations; The University’s main postgraduate housing ‘There’s a great mix of students living here and you
x
development, consisting of 124 places, is a get
x to meet some fascinating people from all over
• a limited amount of family housing; and the
x world, which is a great way to discover new things
purpose-built seafront residence in the centre of
• an online database of furnished about different cultures and ways of life. As the
x
Brighton. The accommodation, on King’s Road,
accommodation for those looking campus is only a short bus or train ride away,
xx
is arranged in self-catering flats, mostly in units
you
x never feel isolated from university life either.
to rent private-sector housing. of six study-bedrooms with a shared kitchen and The best thing about living in King’s Road is being
x
bathrooms. In addition to the seafront residence, so
x close to the beach, as well as all the best bars,
Brighthelm we own and manage a number of other smaller restaurants and clubs in Brighton!
x
properties in Brighton & Hove, some of which are ‘I’ve
xx made some great friends and had some of
let exclusively to postgraduates. the best times of my life here at King’s Road.
I
x can’t recommend it highly enough – you won’t
Rents be disappointed!’
Rents for the 2009-2010 academic year have
not yet been finalised. As a guide, in the 2008- Ronak Lakhani
2009 academic year the weekly rent for a study DPhil in Biochemistry
bedroom in Brighthelm was £97.50 inclusive;
£89.50 plus service charge for King’s Road;
£104 per week inclusive for Stanmer Court; and
approximately £60 per person per week for a
shared room in East Slope. These rents compare
favourably with many other universities.
24

2. Stephanie’s
perspective
Where to live Life at Sussex
‘Having not lived in the city before, I was initially
x
nervous about finding a privately rented property in
x
Brighton & Hove, so I contacted the Housing Office at
x
Sussex to see if they could offer any advice.
x
They were really happy to help, and directed me to
x
www.sussexstudentpad.co.uk – a website run by
x
the
x Housing Office – that lists rental properties in
Brighton & Hove. Once you’ve got your password, all
x
you
x need to do is fill in the online form saying what
kind of house you need. It’s as simple as that!
x
‘By
x far the best thing about the service is that you
know that the properties belong to landlords who are
x
registered with the University, meaning you can move
xx
into
x a house knowing it has been well maintained
and
x is safe to live in.
‘Once I’d chosen my house, I was even able to take
x
my
xx tenancy agreement to the Housing Office for
them to check over!’
Stephanie Wells
MA in European Politics
Private-sector housing in Brighton to families with one small child. Family flats King’s Road
and the surrounding area are in such heavy demand that they are let
We provide help and assistance to graduate only to students with accompanying children. Emina’s
students looking for accommodation Once your application for a family flat is perspective
in the private rented sector through the received, you will be placed on a waiting list ‘As
x an international student, I know that leaving
University Housing Office, which maintains until a suitable flat becomes free. We cannot home isn’t always easy. People you know and those
x
an online database of all types of furnished guarantee when they will be available and that you love are suddenly so far away. But I’ve found
x
accommodation – flats, houses, bedsits and advise you not to bring your family to Sussex living in King’s Road has guaranteed that I’ve quickly
x
private lodgings – in Brighton & Hove, Lewes and until suitable accommodation has been made great friends – there are so many like-minded
x
the surrounding area. confirmed in writing by the University. students and you’re based in the centre of Brighton,
x
overlooking the sea, so you’re never short of things
x
Prospective students looking for accommodation Housing for students to
x do.
in the private sector can search online on
with disabilities ‘The most special thing about Brighton is the
x
the University’s ‘Studentpad’ website at beautiful coast that just hypnotises you. Whether
There are two ground-floor rooms in an x
www.sussexstudentpad.co.uk which is updated you
x prefer walking, jogging, cycling, studying outside
on-campus house in the Brighthelm residence,
daily. If you are off campus and wish to access or
x just lying on the beach, Brighton is perfect. The
which are suitable for postgraduate students
Studentpad, you will need to contact the Housing view
x x of the open sea from the residence is really
with certain disabilities. There is also specially
Office for the current password. To do so, you amazing. It makes you think you are on holiday, but
x
adapted accommodation for wheelchair users in
should email housing@sussex.ac.uk quoting there are enough students in King’s Road to remind
x
Stanmer Court and in one of the University’s off-
your registration or application number. you
x that there are also lectures to be attended and
campus units located in King’s Road, Brighton. If
work to be done. It’s a great setting for making the
x
Students with children you require adapted accommodation, we advise most of the university experience and I’ve never felt
xx
There are about 60 small family flats in you to discuss your needs with us at an early detached from campus life.’
University-managed residences, mostly on stage, before submitting an application. Contact
campus. Most flats have only one bedroom, the Disability Advisor for details. See page 31 for Emina Bacevina
which means that they are normally allocated more information. MA in Contemporary
European Studies
Inside Stanmer Court
Further information
Please visit
www.sussex.ac.uk/residentialservices
or contact the Residential Services team
T +44 (0)1273 678220
E housing@sussex.ac.uk
25

3. Campus life
Campus life Life at Sussex
Life at Sussex
T he University of Sussex campus is a real home from home. Set in acres of
leafy parkland, the campus is a community with its own shops and amenities.
The country setting offers the ultimate in peace and tranquillity so you can focus on
your studies, and with the buzz of Brighton just minutes away, you can experience the
best of both worlds.
Johnathan’s The campus is like a large village where
perspective thousands of postgraduate students,
undergraduates and staff work, study and relax.
‘Campus makes the University of Sussex experience.
x With over 10,500 students the campus is
Pretty much everything I need to live and work
x small enough to be friendly and welcoming, yet
comfortably is a five-minute walk away.
x
sufficiently large to offer a lively social scene. It
‘Postgraduate study can be really challenging, but
x
is self-contained, with lecture theatres, seminar
facilities such as 24-hour computer access and the
x
great resources available at the Library help ease the
x
rooms, libraries, laboratories, accommodation,
pressure. All of my classes and tutors were located
x
restaurants, bars and sports facilities, many
so
x closely together it was easy to get advice on a with wireless internet access, and all within easy
dissertation topic.
x walking distance.
‘When you need a break from studying there are
x
plenty of places on campus to grab some food –
A cosmopolitan community
x
I
Sussex offers excellent opportunities to meet,
x love the “funky tuna” bagels from the USSU shop.
‘There’s also an excellent range of sports facilities
xx
make friends and study with people from
available on campus, where you can play squash or
x different countries and cultures: over 40 per
do
x some yoga and a couple of great bars where you cent of our 3,100 graduate students come from
can
x grab a quick beer with some friends afterwards. overseas. The campus has a very cosmopolitan
And
x when the frantic pace of postgraduate life gets atmosphere and is a base for students and staff
too
x much, I like to unwind by playing a game of from more than 120 countries.
frisbee in Library Square.’
Catering facilities
Johnathan Turrall University flats and houses have self-catering
MSc in Technology and facilities, but there are also plenty of places on
Innovation Management campus to eat out at reasonable prices. Falmer
Bar serves food late into the evening. In Bramber
House, there is a self-service restaurant, a
sandwich bar and a coffee shop. Other options
include the Institute of Development Studies
restaurant, the Dhaba café and the Bolthole in
the Library. The University cafés are also good for
lunch and are popular with staff and students.
Shopping
Shopping on campus is good for essentials.
Bramber House houses a bookshop, newsagent,
a food store, a post office, launderette and an
insurance agency. There are also two banks on
campus, and three cash points. The Students’
Union runs several shops including a grocery
store by the residences (with late-night
opening) and a convenience shop, selling
everything from cheap stationery and hoodies
to excellent bagels.
Entertainment, clubs and societies
With so many people living and working together,
socialising is, not surprisingly, important. There
are a number of bars on campus, all of them
busy, and each with its own particular vibe. So if
you fancy a pint, if you want live sports on TV or
a quiet cup of tea to unwind after a hard day at
the Library, you’ll find somewhere that suits your
mood.
26

4. Campus life Life at Sussex
The Students’ Union provides a range of Disabled access
entertainment, on and off campus, including Some buildings on campus are situated on
comedy gigs, quizzes, live music nights and DJ steep gradients. Most academic buildings are
nights in the Cube, the campus nightclub. accessible by wheelchair, but some access
The Union also supports and helps fund over 100 routes can be long. An advantage of the sloping
student societies. Run entirely by students, these landscape is that ground-level access to some
represent interests such as creative arts, dance, buildings is available on different floors.
religion, film, economics, music, photography, In general, the arts buildings are easier to access
radio and current affairs. than the science buildings. There is restricted lift
The Students’ Union also runs over 30 sports access to some of the upper levels.
clubs. Car parking on campus is limited and sometimes
For more information go to www.ussu.info difficult, as much of the parking is on sloping
ground. However there is disabled parking
Project V located around campus, which is restricted
Project V is a Students’ Union scheme dedicated for use by orange badge holders only. It is also
to helping students get involved in the local possible, in certain cases, to be allocated
community through volunteering. There are dedicated car parking spaces.
numerous opportunities including working in an
Tactile paving and handrails are located around
art gallery in central Brighton, volunteering with
the campus, and guide dogs and hearing dogs for
the NHS and Age Concern, helping run a drop-in
the deaf are permitted in most areas. For more
support service for people living with HIV or AIDS,
information, see page 19.
or taking part in leisure activities with someone
who is visually impaired. By doing something Open space
different and rewarding, you can help others, When all the rigorous intellectual exertion
develop new skills and gain valuable experience of postgraduate study gets too much, the
for your CV. Visit www.ussu.info/projectv for campus offers the ultimate chill-out zone. The
more information. University is situated in the South Downs Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you can
Other campus facilities
walk straight out of the campus into acres of
Campus facilities also include a health centre,
rolling green parkland where you can escape the
a dentist and a pharmacy. For those in need of
hustle and bustle of campus life and rejuvenate
a retreat, the interdenominational Meeting House
body and mind. And, if all that greenery sounds
offers peace and quiet, as well as the chapel
frighteningly rural, remember you’re so close
and chaplaincy services. There is also a Muslim
to Brighton you can almost hear it buzz.
Centre. For more information, see page 31.
For a virtual view of our beautiful green campus, log
Students with children are catered for with a
on to www.sussex.ac.uk/USIS/campustour
crèche and nursery. These campus facilities
are in great demand so we advise you to make
enquiries at an early stage in your application
process. For more information, see page 31.
27

5. Brighton
Brighton Life at Sussex
Life at Sussex
T he city of Brighton & Hove has everything: sun, sea, brilliant clubs, great places
to eat, fabulous shops, a cosmopolitan vibe and it’s only an hour from London.
Many people come here to study and fall in love with the place, vowing never to leave.
So what exactly is it about this lively, cultured city that makes it so appealing?
Sussex graduates will already be familiar with Nightlife
Brighton’s many charms, and new students can When the sun sets Brighton’s legendary nightlife
look forward to discovering one of Britain’s most kicks in. The city boasts over 200 pubs and bars,
exciting and idiosyncratic cities. ranging from the traditional spit and sawdust
Brighton has a long history as a fashionable variety to the distinctly chilled out and trendy.
holiday resort, originally made famous by the Popular venues include the beachfront Fortune of
Prince Regent (later King George IV) whose War, great for winter warmers but even better on
extravagant home, the Royal Pavilion, remains balmy summer evenings; The George, serving up
a beautiful folly and one of our many treasures. great veggie food; and Ali-Cats cellar bar, good
Brighton’s popularity grew throughout the for cocktails and early evening cult film showings.
19th century, and the Victorians added Brighton Some bars focus on live performances, from
Pier and a seafront promenade to the miles of stand-up comedy to live bands. Well-known
pebble beaches. examples are the Free Butt, a popular music
venue, and the Komedia theatre café-bar.
Today’s Brighton & Hove is just as fashionable
and popular as it was in the Prince Regent’s day, When the pubs close, or if they’re just not your
but now the city keeps going all year round. Its thing, Brighton’s club scene has plenty to keep
eccentric atmosphere makes it a place where you going into the early hours. Home of Nick Cave,
you can do anything and be anyone – yet it is the music scene in Brighton is a way of life. Any
small enough for you to bump into friends in the night of the week and all through the weekend
centre. It absorbs all kinds of people and leaves you’ll find a venue that suits your mood. As
them with an enduring affection for this unique well as the long-established classics, new club
and liberated city. nights pop up all the time with big name DJs
and London clubs bringing their specialist nights
Eating out down to the water’s edge.
Whether you’re a gourmet or a fast food addict
you’ll find plenty to suit your palate: Thai, Indian, Cultural life
Chinese, Mexican, vegetarian, Mongolian and, Brighton & Hove has a truly diverse cultural scene
arguably, the best fish and chips in the world. with a wealth of theatres, cinemas, venues and
Brighton & Hove has many eateries offering galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the
cheap and cheerful menus. In particular, Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental
Preston Street is lined with restaurants and fringe productions staged throughout the city,
hot competition keeps prices down. There are you’ll find something theatrical to entertain you.
plenty of pizza and pasta joints, and a number There are also lots of opportunities to catch
of excellent greasy spoons, such as the Market stand-up comedy, cabaret and ‘open-mike’
Diner, which supplies the city with carbs nights.
throughout the night. The streets of the North Cinema-goers will find plenty to keep them
Laine are dotted with a wealth of interesting happy. Brighton boasts two multiplex cinemas
cafés and bistros, ranging from the organic to the offering mainstream movies. If art-house cinema
seriously unhealthy. Whatever your tastes, you is more your thing, head straight for the Duke
won’t go hungry. of York’s, a Brighton treasure and the oldest
purpose-built cinema in Britain. And in true
Brighton style, the beach plays host to big-screen
cult films on summer evenings.
28

6. Brighton Life at Sussex
Music North Laine, a laid-back area of independent Claudia’s
Classical music lovers are well catered for clothes shops, cafes and record shops, peddling perspective
at the Dome, Brighton’s art-deco concert venue. everything from vegetarian shoes to designer
labels. For more up-market merchandise, The ‘I
x love Brighton – the best thing about living here is
Home to the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra
the
x music scene. There are so many great venues
and a state-of-the-art acoustic system, the Lanes offer antiques, exclusive fashions and
to
x explore and bands to watch. As well as Brighton
1,800-capacity Dome also plays host to blues, jewellery among the cobbled alleyways and
bands like The Kooks and This City, I’ve recently seen
x
pop, rock, jazz, dub, world and club. Opera converted fisherman’s cottages.
The
x Queens of the Stone Age, The Kings of Leon and
buffs can take advantage of world-famous
Sporting opportunities Vampire Weekend – all in the space of a few months!
x
Glyndebourne, a centre for opera and just a few Also, major cultural events like the Brighton Festival
x
As well as the sports facilities on campus (see
miles down the road. The Brighton Centre and and
x the Great Escape festival never fail to amaze with
page 30), there are many sporting opportunities
Concorde 2 are Brighton’s major rock and pop the
x great bands and artists they book every year.
in nearby Brighton & Hove: two public swimming
venues but on any day of the week you’ll find gigs ‘Brighton is a great place to live if you love your food.
x
pools, five golf courses, water sports, greyhound
in pub venues, small clubs, on street corners, There are so many pubs and restaurants offering food
x
and horse racing, ten-pin bowling, and ice skating.
in parks and even on the beach. The University from all over the world that it can be truly tantalising
x
of Sussex Students’ Union also organises on- Local sporting events include international tennis to
x xdecide where to go for a meal. Fierce competition
and off-campus entertainment, including live and beach volleyball and football tournaments. also means that prices are reasonable, and even on a
x
bands, cabaret and charity events. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club (the student budget you’ll be able to eat out.
x
Seagulls) and Sussex County Cricket Club both ‘If
x you’re into fashion, the shops and boutiques in
Annual events have their home grounds in the area. and
x around the Lanes leave nothing to be desired.
The highlight of the cultural year is the I
xenjoy hunting for unique vintage pieces in charity
Brighton Festival in May, England’s biggest In the country shops and have already found a few treasures for
xx
arts festival, attracting hundreds of performers Step outside of the city and you’ll find yourself in my
x wardrobe. There are also lots of quirky little
to its three-week stint. This is your chance to some of the most beautiful countryside England boutiques in the Lanes, and of course H&M, Topshop
catch internationally renowned musicians, has to offer. Cradling the city, the South Downs and Zara can all be found in central Brighton too.
x
dancers, poets and writers. Complementing the provide breathtaking views, tranquil walks and ‘And when the urban buzz becomes too tiring, there’s
x
the
x beach and the beautiful South Downs within easy
mainstream festival is the Brighton Fringe, a plenty of opportunities for paragliding, mountain
reach for some peace and tranquillity. A walk on the
x
concentration of comedians, artists, speakers biking, hiking and rather more sedate picnics.
cliffs of the Seven Sisters offers breathtaking views
x
and street performers who spill out into the parks Nestling among the Downs you’ll find the historic
and
x is an ideal opportunity to enjoy some fresh air.
and onto the streets, entertaining the city night towns of Lewes, Arundel, and Chichester, and You
x don’t need a car to drive out to the countryside,
and day. And when the Festival finishes there’s any number of picturesque villages. Brighton & Hove buses get you to most of the popular
x
always some other event to refill the streets with places, and the bus ride along the coast is pretty
x
colour and spectacle, including the London to Close to London
spectacular!’
Brighton Bike Ride, Party in the Park, the Veteran If you fancy a change from the candyfloss and
Car Run and Pride. In October, the Paramount the beach, Brighton is less than an hour away Claudia Biedert
Brighton Comedy Festival comes to town, by train from the bright lights of London. Close MA in Gender and Media
bringing talent including Rich Hall, Jerry Sadowitz enough to visit for the day or the evening, London
and Jimmy Carr. You’ll struggle to find a weekend is a fascinating cosmopolitan capital city with
when there isn’t something going on. historic sites such as the Tower of London and
modern attractions such as the London Eye.
Great shopping If you want to travel further afield, London
With the best shopping south of London, Gatwick Airport is half an hour away by train from
Brighton’s wares range from the conventional Brighton; the perfect jumping-off point to explore
to the truly bizarre, all within walking distance. the rest of Europe and beyond.
Big-name stores can be found in the Churchill
Square shopping centre but if you’re looking
for something slightly offbeat, head for the
29

7. Peter’s
Sport and fitness perspective
Sport and fitness Life at Sussex
‘What’s great about sport at Sussex is that the
x
Life at Sussex University timetable allows most full-time students
x
to
x have Wednesday afternoons free, meaning they
can
x participate in extra-curricular clubs and sports
events. The Sport Centre is right on campus – less
x
than five minutes walk from the main academic
x
areas.
x
‘One of my passions is kickboxing. The kickboxing
x
club meet twice a week and the class fees are
x
very reasonable as the hire of the hall and other
x
expenses are subsidised by Sussex, making the
x
cost to students really reasonable. The club is fully
x
Y our life at Sussex isn’t just about studying. We also
have excellent sports facilities to help you make
the most of your spare time. You don’t have to be
equipped with kick bags, shields and other safety
xx
equipment, and we get to train in a large, spacious
x
gym with mirrors.
x
‘Whether you’re already serious about sport or fancy
x
a world champion to take part – we cater for a diverse trying something new, Sussex is a great place to be.’
range of interests at all levels of ability. Peter Muffett
MA in International
English Language
Teaching
British BIKMA/WKMA
67-70 kilograms
kickboxing champion
Sport at Sussex is organised and provided Sports clubs
through the University service, Sussexsport, USSUSport supports over 30 student-led clubs,
and the Students’ Union’s USSUSport. Both are which include various outdoor sports such as
committed to ensuring that you have access to windsurfing, sailing and mountaineering, as
a wide range of sport and fitness opportunities well as more traditional sports such as soccer,
and facilities. netball, rugby and hockey. The University
The University facilities are situated at two sites is currently in the BUSA Premier league for
basketball and has had recent Championship Competitions
on the campus, and also provide a training venue
success in squash, fencing and volleyball. Opportunities exist for those belonging to
for Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
USSUSport clubs to take part in the British
Facilities on campus include: Classes and courses programme Universities Sports Association (BUSA)
• two large multi-purpose sports halls Sussexsport offers a fantastic range of dance competitions and local leagues. Club activities
and movement classes with activities such as also include tours and exchanges with
• two newly equipped fitness rooms with state- aerobics, yoga, tai chi, circuit training, pilates universities and teams abroad. Sussexsport
of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance and various dance styles such as jazz, belly organises intra-mural and inter-school leagues
equipment, and a specialist strength and dance, street and ballet. In addition, coaching and events for those who want to take part in
conditioning room courses are available for squash, tennis and campus-based competitions.
• a dance studio/martial arts dojo badminton. There are also opportunities to try
five different styles of martial arts. Coaching opportunities
• seven squash courts, four with glass backs The University offers a number of Sports Coach
Sports bursaries UK and National Governing Body Coaching
• a lifestyles studio offering a sports injury clinic, Sports bursaries are offered to talented student
treatments in massage, Reiki, aromatherapy Awards. These awards offer students the
athletes who have reached national standard in opportunity to improve and develop their
and beauty therapy services their chosen sports. All bursary recipients receive coaching skills.
• a floodlit artificial turf pitch (hockey and soccer) mentoring support to help them balance their
academic and sporting requirements. Further information
• four grass soccer pitches
For further information or an application form, Please visit our website at
• a rugby pitch www.sussexsport.com
please contact the Sports Development Officer
or contact Sussexsport directly on:
• a cricket pitch T +44 (0)1273 678228 or
T +44 (0)1273 678228
E sussexsport@sussex.ac.uk
• six hard tennis courts. E sussexsport@sussex.ac.uk
30