Earlier today, Kate O'Riordan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, wrote to all taught students. You can read her full email below:

Hello,

Next week is One World Week – our annual celebration of cultural diversity in our community here at Sussex.

Run collaboratively by the Students’ Union and the University of Sussex, One World Week showcases the best of our campus community spirit and is a wonderful chance to not only appreciate each other’s cultures but create lasting memories.

You can expect campus events throughout the week, including games, international food pop-ups, a silent disco and a glow-in-the-dark twist on our Holi festival. You can see the full programme of activities on the Students’ Union website.

This week (3-9 March) is also National Careers Week. Check out this Student Hub article which shares useful tips for improving your employability ready for the workplace.

If you’re an undergraduate student, you might also be considering further study once you’ve completed your degree. Staying at Sussex for postgraduate study is a great way to boost your employability and build your skills, whilst also staying a part of our special Sussex community.

Our Masters Open Day on Saturday 15 March is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the different courses available and chat with teaching staff about any questions you might have. Book a place on the Open Day.

You may also be able to apply for a Masters scholarship, which can fund some fees and living costs while you study. Have a look at our Masters scholarships page to find out more.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Celebrate our Early Career Researchers this International Women’s Day
• Making your option module choices – what you need to know
• Share your thoughts at our next open office session
• Tips and tricks for neurodivergent students
• Student Food Takeover brings international flavours to Eat Central this spring
• University Mental Health Day, 13 March
• There is still time to apply for campus housing
• Find out how Sussex research is tackling sustainability challenges

Celebrate our Early Career Researchers this International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated globally on 8 March and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

As part of our IWD 2025 celebrations, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at Sussex. An exhibition featuring photographic portraits of some of our ECRs has now opened in the Library Open Learning Space (ground floor, after the Service Desk) so make sure you visit if you can. The portraits are accompanied by summaries of the research they are working on and encouraging comments to inspire other women.

Read more about the project and the inspiring ECRs we have here at Sussex.

Making your option module choices – what you need to know

The window for you to select your option modules for next year will formally open from Monday 10 March. Your current year of study will determine when you can access Sussex Direct to make your selections as follows:

9am on Monday 10 March

Online option choice opens for all current 1st year undergraduate students to select their 2nd year modules for 2025-26

9am on Tuesday 11 March

Online option choice opens for all current 3rd year undergraduate students to select their final year modules for 2025-26. This group includes any student on an Integrated Masters course, or those currently on a year abroad or placement year.

9am on Wednesday 12 March

Online option choice opens for all current 2nd year undergraduate students selecting their next year’s modules.

Don’t forget that you can explore the option modules on your course right now by logging into Sussex Direct. We’ve set up a browse mode that enables you to view your options and start planning the choices you will be able to make from next week.

We would like to encourage all students selecting module options in March to sign in to Sussex Direct up to a week before your option-selection date so that you can view your options and start planning your choices accordingly. Read more about this on the Student Hub.

All students will need to have completed their choices by Friday 21 March.

Share your thoughts at our next open office session

On Thursday 13 March Lewis Wilson, Students’ Union’s Education and Employability Officer and I, will be speaking with students in the Student Centre between 2.45pm and 4.15pm.

To book a 15-minute slot, email internalcomms@sussex.ac.uk with the subject “Open office session for students.” You can take part as an individual or bring a couple of friends (e.g. from your course or a society).

Tips and tricks for neurodivergent students

On Monday 17 March, 10.30am-1pm at the Global Studies Resource Centre, Arts C, join a social event where neurodivergent students will share their top 'tips and tricks' for other neurodivergent students. A Disability Advisor from Student Support will also be talking about Disabled Students’ Allowance and providing advice on the University systems.

The event will involve presentations and interactive discussions, exploring study skills, navigating processes, making connections and spaces on campus. Find out more and book a space.

Student Food Takeover brings international flavours to Eat Central this spring

Earlier in the year, we asked students to submit recipes from their home country for campus chefs to recreate, as part of our 2025 Student Food Takeover, and the results are now in! The winning dishes will be served as pop-up lunches in Eat Central this spring.

The winning recipes are: Canadian Poutine, a golden dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy, served on 12 and 13 March; Kuwaiti Chicken Machboos, an aromatic rice dish with chicken, served in April; and Venezuelan Arepas coming up in May, mouthwatering, crispy flatbread served with a variety of fillings!

Read more about the initiative, and save the dates for these upcoming food takeovers.

University Mental Health Day, 13 March

The Wellbeing Team will be touring campus with wellbeing information next Thursday, 13 March. Look out for an article on the Student Hub (and Monday’s Experience Sussex!) to see where you can find them. Wellbeing isn’t just when things aren’t so good, it’s also maintaining self-care. Pop by for a quick chat about anything!

There is still time to apply for campus housing

If you’re looking for housing next academic year, there is still time to apply for accommodation on campus.

There is no deposit required and living on campus can save you money on transport to your lectures and seminars. Plus, you’ll be living in the heart of university life!

Find out more about the accommodation available and how to apply.

If you have already applied for campus housing, you may now have been sent your provisional room offer via email. Make sure you accept this offer on the housing portal so you don’t lose your room allocation.

Find out how Sussex research is tackling sustainability challenges

Our academics, alumni and students are involved in ground-breaking initiatives to boost biodiversity, protect our seas and even help decarbonise our busiest ports.

The Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP), one of our Centres of Excellence is striving to be a hub for delivering research to enable efficient responses to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Their local research focuses on the rapidly changing environments in and around our region and how they can become more sustainable.

Students, staff and alumni are invited to attend a free launch event on Wednesday 12 March, 12-2pm in the Fulton Building foyer, when researchers behind this vital work will be giving short introductions to their projects, from tackling river pollution to designing educational posters about South Coast nature sites.

With best wishes,

Kate

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