Section 2 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. Why Sussex? Why us?
Commitment A great place to be
to teaching Our students voted us the
Because graduate education ‘Best Place to Be’ in a survey
works best when teaching of 91 universities. Our learning
excellence combines with support and expert lecturers,
first-rate research, we’ve our safe and multicultural
developed strong links between campus, and our all-round
our research and our taught friendliness were all highly rated
programmes
International Student Barometer,
conducted by i-Graduate,
autumn 2007
Superb learning An international
resources university
We have an excellent library, With students from over 120
an extensive computer network, countries and flourishing
specialist laboratories, international academic links,
media facilities and music we offer a global perspective to
rooms to support you whatever your postgraduate study. Our
your subject financial awards schemes also
demonstrate our commitment
to attracting high-quality
students worldwide
Top location
Our stunning green campus is
eight minutes from the lively
seaside city of Brighton & Hove
by train and only an hour from
London. Transport links are
excellent, with both London
Gatwick and London Heathrow
Airports within easy reach
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2. Research excellence World leading
Why Sussex? Why us?
We are a leading research Top 25 in UK
university – every one of our Top 50 in Europe
subject areas is rated as having Top 150 in the world
research of national or
international excellence The Times Higher Education
Supplement – World University
Higher Education Funding Rankings 2007
Council 2001 Research
Assessment Exercise (RAE)
Investing in research Distinguished
We are committed to our faculty
reputation as a leading Our international reputation
research university and have attracts teachers and
already invested £20 million researchers at the forefront of
over recent years and have their fields, and we are proud
plans for a further £40 million to have counted Nobel Prize
to support new research winners and fellows of the Royal
facilities across the arts, Society and British Academy on
science and social sciences our staff
Skills and career
development
Our Doctoral School and our
careers and employability
services provide you with
excellent academic skills
support and early career
development
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3. Welcome to Sussex
Welcome to Sussex Why Sussex?
Why Sussex?
T he University of Sussex is a leading research
institution with strengths across a broad range
of disciplines. Many of our faculty are academics of world
renown, working at the cutting edge of their disciplines.
The growth in the numbers of postgraduate applications
and admissions to Sussex over recent years reflects the
quality and excellence of what we offer.
The University’s tradition of interdisciplinarity is
reflected in the organisation of graduate studies,
which brings subjects together, encourages
intellectual exchange across disciplines, and
creates a sense of community for graduate
students. The University arranges seminars,
promotes conferences, welcomes well-known
research visitors from overseas, fosters research
clusters and circulates research papers and
other publications.
We run a graduate assistantship scheme for
doctoral students. Under this scheme, which
provides financial support at least equal to
a home/EU fee, doctoral students in many
subjects have the opportunity of doing paid
undergraduate teaching alongside their research
work. This is particularly attractive to students
who are contemplating a career in academia.
Sussex has had a strong international focus
since its foundation and has academic links
with every continent. The University is home
to researchers and students from over 120
countries. We have a diverse student population,
enriching the experience of all who study here.
The University campus is situated in beautiful
parkland on the edge of Brighton and is entirely
self-contained. The friendly and informal campus
life is a reflection of the community at large;
Brighton is a tolerant, lively and exciting place.
We are committed to our reputation as a
world-leading university for graduate studies
and research. In this prospectus we have tried to
provide the information that will help you decide
whether Sussex is the right place for you. Please
do not hesitate to contact our postgraduate
admissions staff if you have any further queries.
Further information Professor Michael Farthing
Student Recruitment Services, Vice-Chancellor
Sussex House, University of Sussex,
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 876787
F +44 (0)1273 876677
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
www.sussex.ac.uk
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4. Finding out
Finding out about Sussex Why Sussex?
about Sussex
Why Sussex?
W hether you’re based in the UK or overseas,
there are a variety of ways to meet us and find
out more about Sussex.
Postgraduate Open Day 2009 Meeting us outside the University
We aim to make this prospectus as informative If you live outside the UK, you can meet our
as possible but it can never really give you a true University-based advisors, who visit a number of
feel of what life is like at Sussex. To get the real countries each year, and our representatives who
picture we would like to invite you to come and are permanently based overseas.
see for yourself at our Postgraduate Open Day.
A list of forthcoming visits by our advisors is
You’ll get the chance to talk to the academic available at www.sussex.ac.uk/International/
faculty, postgraduate students and representatives admissions/overseas
from a range of support services including
Contact details for our overseas representatives
accommodation, careers, computing, library
are available at
and sport. There are also presentations on
www.sussex.ac.uk/International/agents/
postgraduate study, research, funding and
career opportunities. Get more information
The Open Day takes place on 28 January 2009, Stay in touch with us by regularly checking the Vicky’s
11.30am – 2pm, at Bramber House, University postgraduate section of the Sussex website at perspective
of Sussex. For more information or to register www.sussex.ac.uk/pgstudy
‘As
x part of the international liaison team, my job
your interest in attending this event, please go to The section includes our e-newsletter which is
x to help overseas students fulfil their ambitions
www.sussex.ac.uk/pgstudy provides regular updates for postgraduate to
x study in the UK by providing them with more
Other ways to visit Sussex applicants. information about Sussex. I travel widely with
x
the
x University to places such as Japan, Taiwan
If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open If you live outside the UK, you can also find out and
x Mexico and get the opportunity to talk to
Day, you are welcome to attend one of our more about Sussex by getting a copy of our students about their degree of choice, their goals
x
Discover Postgraduate Study drop-in sessions. international student CD. This contains a variety for
x the future and other important information
These are held each month during term time and of information, including prospectuses, a virtual like
x accommodation and fees. Often international
enable you to find out more about postgraduate campus tour, videos and information on fees students are nervous and apprehensive about
x
study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer. and scholarships. Request your copy by emailing studying in a foreign country, so the opportunity
x
Please go to www.sussex.ac.uk/pgstudy to pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk to
x speak to a representative of the University is
book your place. invaluable in helping them choose Sussex.
xx
You are also welcome to visit the University ‘One of the attractions of Sussex is our large
x
independently without any pre-arrangement. international community, which is made up of
x
On weekdays, please go to Sussex House students from 120 countries. Sussex students
x
also benefit from an extensive network of help
x
reception and ask for a member of our Student
and
x support, with additional language resources
Recruitment Services team. They can provide
such
x x as the Sussex Language Institute.
you with a postgraduate visitor pack and explain
‘One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is when
x
how to get the most out of your visit.
I
x get feedback from students who have gone on to
If you are unable to visit us, you can get an study here – many of them tell me how delighted
x
excellent introduction to the University at they are that they chose Sussex.’
www.sussex.ac.uk/USIS/campustour
Vicky Shaw
You may find it helpful to visit your chosen Senior International
department or meet your prospective supervisor Liaison Officer
during the application process. You will need to
contact the member of staff listed in the relevant
subject area (see pages 41-170) before you visit
us. We always do our best to accommodate such
requests.
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5. ‘The research facilities at
Sussex are great. Everything
I need is right here.’
James Karamath,
DPhil in Physics