Study Abroad Office 
University and Location
The first of the new wave of British university to be founded in the 1960’s, the University of Sussex has a student body of over 10,000 representing more than 120 countries. More than 500 students participate in the Sussex Study Abroad Program each year. Twelve academic schools and over 20 academic departments create an environment where interdisciplinary study is fostered. Creative thinking, diversity, and intellectual challenge have always been fundamental to a Sussex education. Located an hour from central London, the University of Sussex is located near the village of Falmer, just moments away from the cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton and Hove. The Sussex campus boasts award-winning architecture with green open spaces and is surrounded by the South Downs National Park. Students will find a wide range of shops and services on the 200 acre campus , as well as a Student Union offering more than 120 clubs and 40 sports teams.
Available Fields of Study
Exchange students may select from over 1000 regular courses and will study alongside Sussex students. Academic offerings include American Studies; Astronomy; Business; Computer Science; Economics; Engineering (electronic, mechanical and product design); Foreign Languages; Science. For a complete list, please visit the
Sussex Study Abroad Guide.
Program Dates
The academic year at Sussex begins in late September. Each academic year consists of three terms: autumn (September to January), spring (January to April) and summer (May to June). Students who attend Sussex for the spring semester are expected to enroll in both the spring and summer terms.
Autumn - late September - December
Spring - late January - May(and the summer term when end-of-year exams take place)
Summer - mid May - June
Application Procedures
Students must complete a Study Abroad and Exchange Application with the Office of International Programs. Nominated students will be instructed to complete additional Sussex application materials.
Course Selection
Students should refer to the detailed information on
course selection that is available at the Sussex website. Students may take courses from various schools and departments as long as they meet the prerequisites. Students will be asked to list at least six classes on their Sussex application and will be placed according to availability. Due to scheduling conflicts, it may not be possible to change course selections after arrival in Sussex, and students should choose their courses thoughtfully. You may also refer to the online
Transfer Course Guide to see if any courses you are interested in taking have already been evaluated and approved. Keep in mind that course approval does not guarantee that the course will be offered during your semester abroad.
Courseload
One Sussex credit is the equivalent of .25 of a Rensselaer credit. Students should register for around 60 credits per semester or 120 for a full academic year.
Grading and Academic Evaluation
The emphasis at Sussex is on independent study, and students will need to be self-directed and ready to participate actively in class discussion. Students in arts-based course will meet primarily in small groups, with lectures providing an introduction to each topic. In science-based courses, students will attend lectures, labs and workshops or tutorials. Although the number of contact hours for each class may be less than what students are accustomed to, this does not mean that less work is required. Assessment is typically based on essays, projects, presentations and exams. Classes may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
Accommodation and Meals
While university housing is not guaranteed, many accommodation options exist for exchange students. Students may apply for campus housing, university-managed off-campus housing, or housing in the private sector. Details will be included with your Sussex acceptance materials, and additional information can be found
here.
Estimated Expenses and Cost of Living
Exchange students pay regular Rensselaer tuition in addition to airfare, accommodation, meals and living expense. Students should budget approximately $1500 per month to cover housing, meals, local travel, books and supplies. Individual student expenses will vary according to lifestyle and travel.
If you have additional questions, please contact
Karen Dvorak.