Sussex uni

[Fluffpuff]

Does anyone have a child at Sussex Uni? My dd has been offered a place but is worried the campus may feel too small and claustrophobic. Dd also worried the social mix maybe too 'Surrey'. Also dd has heard because a lot of the students come from south east the weekends are dead as a lot of students go home. It is obviously a very good Uni as very high up in league tables. Also what are extra curricular activities like, have read Sussex not too good on this. Would appreciate any info anyone has. Thanks.

Also any advice on halls of residence?

I don't have a child at sussex but live near and have lots of friends that studied there, definatly not all 'Surrey' types. The campus is small but Brighton is only a quick bus ride away and it has more than enough to do. Only first years live on campus so the others years she's likely to be in town anyway.

What is she intending to study?

Good luck to your DD and where ever she chooses I hope she has a fabulous time.

She wants to read English and is very good for the subject apparently.

My oldest and best friend has 2 there and I live there and have visited it several times. They both love it and one is graduating this year one just started.One doing politics the other geography.

Hi fluff. Things might well have changed since 2000 (when I graduated) but I had a fabulous time at Sussex. The campus has great amenities - cinema, lots of bars, shops, library, surgery in addition to the clubs/societies and the location in the Downs meant we could also escape campus and go for walks.

Brighton is a short drive but there are plenty of regular buses and also a train station just over the road (accessed by underground walkway) - and you can't get a better student city in my opinion!

I moved there from the Midlands (not Surrey) and never noticed a mass exodus during the w/ends - more often than not people had friends to stay as Brighton was such a pull.

So I am biased - but I really can't rate the experience highly enough. The balance between a campus (safe, easy to meet other students, discounted amenities etc) and an amazing, vibrant and inclusive city like Brighton & Hove is a winner.

Hope she loves the experience wherever she goes.

By the way, I was on campus in halls for the first year, then moved out into town with friends I had made whilst on campus. I can't recall the name of the halls I stayed in, but they were newly built at the time ('97) and were 6 people per bathroom, kitchen and living area. The older ones (East Slope?) packed more in and weren't nearly so plush ;)

I stayed for a few years after graduating - and to be honest would like to return with DH & DS to live! Perhaps not on campus though.

My son is a first year student at Sussex. Although he is home for the weekend he is, as he is a student after all, still fast asleep! But I will ask him to give you his views later on.

He is in Northfield, which is brand new. It looks lovely, but it is very expensive and there have been a number of issues with things going wrong, which have been rather irritating considering how much we are paying!

The campus isn't small at all, and it occupies a beautiful setting. It's also only a hop skip and a jump away from Brighton.

Not sure about how 'Surrey' it is, but as we're from SW19 then DS1 would probably fit right in on that basis! But I don't think, for such a big and successful university it could be so biased.

What extra-curricular activities is your DD interested in?

Will she be on the Brighton campus? I know the university has other sites too - one at Hastings, not sure where the others are.

I have to say, though, Brighton is one of the least 'Surrey' places I know. The prices may be creeping up to Surrey levels, but the city is very cosmopolitan, bohemian, arty, with a big alternative and gay scene, lots of great bars and clubs, fantastic shops. Ideal for young people.

My DD is there - final year. The social life in Brighton is great for students and my dd had a ball when she lived on campus - halls rather than flats is better according to her as they are more sociable. There does seem to be a large London/South East contingent but not much going home at the weekends, why would they? Brighton rental prices aren't as cheap as other places and more on a par with London.

I shall miss visiting her there when she leaves this summer. Anything else you want to know ask away

My DD is a first year in Northfield too. She is having a great time - the halls and flats for first year are all on campus, basically behind the lecture halls - you couldn't be closer. Everyone in her flat (of 6) is from Kent or Sussex but she has also made friends with people from cardiff, Durham, Leeds etc. and there are lots of overseas students. Some students do go home at weekends but there always seems to be someone's friends (or relatives)staying.

There are hoards of extra curricular stuff - over 125 clubs and societies. Lots of sports clubs- many have weekend training sessions. A lot of socialising at clubs in town is done during the week as there are special student nights (so it is cheaper and the crowd will be mostly students from Sussex or brighton uni- not weekend stag and hen dos) but that holds true for most unis. My DD is not bored at the weekends - usually at least a pizza and film night and catching up with work to make up for week nights out. The variey and amount of clubs and pubs in town means that the social scene on campus is small. The 25 bus comes right up to the halls and runs every 10 minutes night and day (also cheap taxis deals for students) so you are never "stuck" on campus.

I do think most students are more hard up than previous generations and possibly the cost of travelling home is a factor in choosing unis now. All her flatmates (inc my DD) have part time jobs - its the overseas students who seem to have the money.

Brighton is great - sun, beach, clubs, shopping,the south downs straight behind your halls. My Dd even has rabbits "frolicking" outside her front door.

javo - which Northfield flat is she in? She may know my DS!

I stayed in Swanborough when I did an OU residential course a couple of years ago. Lovely 6 room flats with ensuite in each study bedroom and a big, well equipped kitchen/ diner.
It was right opposite the campus shop too, so it was really handy. The restaurants on site were rubbish though - the food was far too stodgy. I don't know whether this was because it was out of term time.

I would have been quite happy to study there full time.

Thanks for all your comments, they have been really helpful. My dd has applied to live in Brighthelm as her first choice. I have showed her all your comments and she feels very excited about going to Sussex now.

I went there as an undergrad 13 years ago and lived in halls, it was great. My advice is to get into the town, get involved in something non uni, get a job, meet people who aren't students asap. She won't feel lonely at the weekends if she does that. I remember lots of students going 'home' for the weekends in the first term but it dropped off. I'm also going back to sussex for a masters degree in september :)

A few of dd's friends are there in their 1st yr doing Eng&French.
They love it and as far as I know don't come home that often, we live near bournemouth.