Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all undergraduate students earlier today. You can read the full message below:

Hello,

In this summer update, I am really pleased to share that Sussex has been recognised as the 8th most sustainable university in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Sussex was ranked 8th in the UK out of 91 institutions, and 26th globally out of 1,503 universities for sustainability, in recognition of the social and environmental impact of our education and research. On top of this, we were recognised for Employment outcomes, ranking 16th in the UK.

Our Careers, Employability and Entrepreneurship team also recently won the 2024 AGCAS Supporting Student Employability Award – find out more below.

More locally, Brighton & Hove Pride is on Saturday 3 August, where I will be taking part in the Community Parade with the University’s walking party. June is recognised in many countries as a month to celebrate and acknowledge LGBTQ+ Pride. In this latest post, student blogger Tugce writes about the meaning of Pride month and finding acceptance and a community at Sussex.

Meanwhile, one of our postgraduate researchers, Naimat Zafary, has written an article for the Higher Education Policy Institute marking 1,000 days since the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan. I recommend giving it a read.

To those of you graduating next month, I look forward to seeing you there and celebrating alongside you and your loved ones.

Please read on for your regular update, including:   

• Accessing University services during the summer
• Award-winning careers and entrepreneurship support
• Support during and beyond Men’s Health Month
• Join the University Housing waiting list
• Call for donations to the University Food Bank
• General Election on Thursday 4 July – remember ID
• General Elections - Hear from your local candidates!
• How are Sussex researchers transforming lives?
• Announcing the National Student Survey 2024 prize draw winners
• Video: get to know Lewes with Digital Media Creator Grace.

Accessing University services during the summer

University support services continue to be available during the summer months. You can go to the My Sussex portal for answers to frequently asked questions and to make appointments with our friendly advisors. On the Student Hub, you can also find information on wellbeing support, careers support, and money advice, including how to get financial support through Hardship funding and short-term welfare loans.

You can contact the Student Centre in person at the Welcome Desk or by phone (01273 075700) too.

If you are staying in Brighton during the summer, check the Student Hub for information on opening times over the summer period. Some campus facilities may operate different hours from term time. There are still loads of options for where to get your foodie fill over the summer, including where to find the Sussex Saver meal.

Eat Central will remain closed until September after a small amount of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete – RAAC – was found during the early phases of construction work. In this article you can read more about the careful work that will be undertaken at Eat Central, as well as what to expect when it reopens.

Award-winning careers and entrepreneurship support

The Sussex Careers, Employability and Entrepreneurship team recently won the 2024 AGCAS Supporting Student Employability Award. This award celebrates initiatives that really make a difference in terms of helping you prepare for life after graduation.

Our Career Lab and Entrepreneurship Programme provide 1,200 quality work experience opportunities each year, which are open to all students. We actively seek employers who align with Sussex values and prioritise opportunities with a sustainability focus.

Check the Student Hub for more information on how you can boost your career prospects and develop your entrepreneurial skills.

Support during and beyond Men’s Health Month

Men’s Health Month, organised by the Men’s Health Forum, is happening this June. This annual event aims to raise awareness of preventable health and wellbeing problems that disproportionately affect men and encourage them to seek information, advice and support. 

Some men may find it difficult to reach out for support, for many reasons. If you are a male student at Sussex and would like support, there are lots of different options that could help. Read more about Men’s Health Week and the support available on the Student Hub.

Join the University Housing waiting list

If you are a returning student to Sussex, we will have a number of rooms available in September 2024. We will also have a number of rooms for new Home postgraduate taught students (MSc and MA). Find out more and join our housing waiting list.

Call for donations to the University Food Bank

If you have tins or packets of non-perishable food in your student accommodation that you will not be taking with you, please consider donating them to the University Food Bank when you leave for the summer. There are collection points in all student residences on campus and in the Meeting House, and all food donated will go to the Meeting House Pantry, which is available to students suffering from hardship. Find out more about what to donate to the Food Bank and how.

General Election on Thursday 4 July – remember ID

There are two weeks to go until polling day and it is important to remember that you now need to bring photo ID when voting in person at an election.

In the last UK elections 33% of 18-24 year olds were not aware they needed to bring photo ID, which means a huge number of eligible young people were unable to vote.

Photo ID includes a driving licence or other document such as a passport. If you do not have any photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document called a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for applying is Wednesday 26 June at 5pm.

All the information about the general election and how to vote is on the Student Hub.

General Elections - Hear from your local candidates!

Citizens UK invites you to an exclusive question time-esque event where you can engage with our future MPs. Citizens UK will be putting their campaigning priorities to the Greens, Lib Dems, and Labour candidates for Brighton Pavilion, Hove, and Kemptown constituencies.

Register your interest here - and make your needs heard!

If you have any questions, please email Camille from the Students' Union at camille.b@sussexstudent.com.

How are Sussex researchers transforming lives?

Research lies at the heart of Sussex, and many of your tutors are world-renowned researchers, with 89% of their research being rated world leading or internationally excellent. This expertise informs your curriculum and educational environment.

You can now learn about some of the ground-breaking research taking place within our Centres of Excellence. Watch our latest video showcasing three of our Centres of Excellence: Sussex AI, the Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth, and the Sussex Centre for Migration Research. Each Centre is taking on impossible challenges, that if overcome can make an important contribution to the planet and its people.

Announcing the National Student Survey 2024 prize draw winners

Congratulations to the 10 final-year students who won graduation packages worth £150 for taking part in the National Student Survey (NSS). Ipsos, which runs the NSS on behalf of the Office for Students, selected the winners at random and we have already contacted them with details on how to claim their prize.

Thank you as well to all finalists who completed the NSS. Your views will help prospective students to make decisions about which universities to apply to, just like you did a few years ago.

Video: get to know Lewes with Digital Media Creator Grace

Finally, you might like to watch Digital Media Creator Grace’s Instagram video highlighting things to do in nearby Lewes, which was created for Sussex Day (16 June).

With best wishes,  
   
Kate 

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students) 

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