Campus development

Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil presents our campus development plans

• Video transcript

  Transcript starts:

  Video visuals: Video starts with ariel panoramic views of the University of Sussex before entering the Student Centre.

  Vice- Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘Every building starts as a vision. Our new Student Centre was born out of a vision to enhance the experience of students at Sussex, to provide them with a flexible contemporary space where they can study, socialise and be supported.’

  Video visuals: External video of the Student Centre arches featuring Liberty Glasses and Taj Grocers

  ‘The arches next to our Student Centre, home to local independent businesses, Taj Grocer and Liberty Glasses, came from our ambition to offer more to our students, to be more sustainable, as well as to express our commitment to the Brighton community of which we are proud to be part.’

  Video visuals: Video moves from the Student Centre to the inside of the Meeting House showing its stained glass windows, and then to the outside of the Meeting House showing its iconic round shape, and then to ariel views of the Library, Falmer House and the Meeting House, students walking on campus. Video then moves from central campus to views of East Slope showing the outside of our newest student residences on campus.

  Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, speaks over images:

  ‘Our Student Centre, much like our iconic Meeting House and our amazing Grade I and II Listed Library and Students Union and teaching spaces is far more than just a building though, far more than the sum of its parts.

  Indeed, as you walk around our campus today, all our buildings tell you a little of our history and give you a glimpse of our future. And our history is all around us. The iconic architecture of Sir Basil Spence covers the south of our campus.

  While to the east you can visit the new East Slope development, which provides accommodation for over 2000 students and is home to the Student Centre and arches.’

  Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘And as for the future, it’s plain to see that this is a work in progress.

  We’re embarking on the biggest development that our campus has seen in recent years.’

  Visuals: An architect’s image of the new West Slope development set in the context of the wider campus, then an architect’s image of some West Slope buildings, and an architect’s image of the new café, then an architect’s image of more West Slope buildings with greenery and an external lift, then an architect’s image of a building’s internal layout, then an architect’s image of accessible routes in West Slope, then architect’s image of the new Health and Wellbeing Centre reception area

  Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, speaks over images:

  ‘The West Slope development will be a home away from home for our students.

  It will offer a complete on campus experience.

  There’ll be nearly 2000 more residential rooms with much needed new accessible rooms and family accommodation and a purpose built Health and Wellbeing Centre to provide crucial services that our students expect and need so that they can thrive.’

  Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘The West Slope development will make us more accessible, more sustainable and more connected.

  And whilst the West Slope may be in its building phase, it’s already delivering improvements.

  Already we’ve improved our utilities, making them more resilient.’

  Video visuals: Photo of children playing in a new playground near Northfield residences, then a photo of the University of Sussex Women’s Basketball Team on the new basketball court near Northfield residences, then an image of the outside of a new laundrette next to Swanborough residences, then a photo of a student doing their laundry inside the laundrette at a bank of washing machines, then a photo of two security officers outside our new Security Centre at Bramber House.

  Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, speaks over images:

  ‘We’ve built a new playground for our campus families and a basketball court next to our Northfield residences.

  We’ve also built a new launderette next to our Swanborough residences and have opened a new improved security office located just across from the Student Centre.’

  Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘In 2026 the new Health and Wellbeing Centre will be opened, and the first new residences will be ready for occupation.’

  Video visuals: Architects animation of the new Eat Central café – doors open onto a bright new restaurant with colourful seating and décor.

  Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, speaks over images:

  ‘Before then, we’re completing a full refurbishment of our main catering outlet, Eat Central, to provide a more modern environment where students can purchase good value, nutritious food, day and night.

  We’re working with our campus community on these plans and look forward to unveiling the revamped space this summer, ready for the new year.’

  Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘Very excitingly, this year will also start to reap the benefits of works to replace our entire campus internet network, bringing vastly improved speeds to every corner of the campus.

  Meaning students will have the same study experience from their bedrooms to the library.
  and even in our outside spaces.’

  Video visuals: ariel images of the University of Sussex Library, and then an architect’s image of the proposed new accessible main entrance to the Library which shows a brick tower in front of the main Library. The video briefly goes back to Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil speaking to camera, then shows an image of the new student garden.

  Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, speaks over images:

  ‘We also hope to start work shortly on a new entrance to our listed library building, meaning our historic architecture will become more easily accessible for everyone in the community.

  We even have a new student garden where our green fingered students can do their bit to support our ambition to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world.’

  Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil speaks to camera from the Student Centre:

  ‘And we are already realising that ambition.

  In December last year we were placed 26th in the QS World University rankings for sustainability.

  From big builds to small changes, we are always investing in our future and in your future.’

  Video visuals: Video ends with ariel views of the University of Sussex campus.

  Transcript ends.