History/Anthropology at Sussex Uni

[daphnedill]

My dd wants to study history or history and anthropology (2011 entry). Her expected grades for A2 subjects are AAB or ABB. She's considering a few unis, but is really keen on Sussex, partly because she really likes the course and also (I think) because she thinks Brighton is a really cool place. She's going to the Open Day in June, but would really appreciate comments from anybody with experience of Sussex and/or this course.

I am at Sussex Uni at the moment, finish in June
It is wonderful! seriously! The campus is beautiful, everything is close by, Brighton is a lively, exciting place to be. Lectures have been great (though I'm studying English and Education)
I'm so sad at finally coming to the end, though very relieved at never having to write another essay ever again!
Reasonably good investment... my building Arts E is just about to be demolished and a whole new modern up to the minute building replacing it.
There have however been some areas where funding has been cut and there have been some protests from lecturers.... we were locked out last wed due to a picket line.
Anything in particular you want to know?

We live near Brighton, and I have teens. With my parent hat on, it's one of the friendliest, welcoming cities I've had experience of, and I'm happy for my teens to wander at will.
It's very accepting of difference and packed with a huge variety of things to do. Only 50 mins from London as well.
Sussex Uni will have very high grade expectations, has a lovely campus and good pastoral student care. My son is planning to apply in the future.

I went to Sussex (admittedly quite a few years ago) and although I had a great time in Brighton I thought the uni was pretty disappointing TBH. I am sure this would be true of other unis but I felt they were totally uninterested in undergraduates and just packed us in for the money. I had about 4 contact hours a week and the rest of the time I was left to research alone. They tried to dress this up as a strength as you learnt to self motivate and research. What bollocks. Over my three year degree my personal tutor never even learnt my name (and I was a great student - I got a first).

I also found the majority of the student body quite bland. Sussex once had a reputation as a politically active hotbed but by my time it was the opposite. Thousands of home counties students who were there to get drunk and not much else.

As I admit there are no doubt many other unis of which similar criticisms could be made but my friends who went to the older unis (eg Bristol, Durham) had much more teaching and attention and a more academic and engaged student body.

Thank you for your comments. We're going to the open day on 12 June and visiting some other unis. I'll certainly try to ask somebody about the number of contact hours. To be honest, I went to London and we didn't have more than about 10 hours a week. I doubt very much that dd will get the AAA needed for places such as Durham.

Don't be too quick with Durham, DS1 is holding an offer of ABB for Anthropology and Sociology. I know straight Anthropology gives AAB offers, so it could be worth a look.

They've apparently laid off a Lot of their historians at Sussex. DH reckons a lot of the pre-1800 historians are gone (he's a history lecturer).

Interesting info, Habbibu - thanks! Doesn't sound too good, does it?

We're waiting to see how she does in her ASs. The reality of grades needed for history at uni seem to have provided a kick up the *. DD has just spent most of half term revising, despite the glorious weather! She might end up with AAA after all, in which case she'll have a wider choice.

There are a lot of cuts being made at Sussex at the mo, with a strike only recently due to cuts in Lecturers. We were locked out a couple of Wednesdays ago after we were told to not risk crossing a picket line. English and education have made big cuts so it wouldn't surprise me if other areas are suffering too
There has been a lot of new building work, not sure if that's where the money has gone