University of Sussex, UK
EducationWorld March 05 | EducationWorld
Established a mere forty five years ago, University of Sussex, UK is ranked among the top 50 universities globally for the quality of its academic programmes and research activities Sited on acres of rolling green downs of unspoilt countryside near the popular seaside resort town of Brighton, the University of Sussex is ranked among the top 50 universities globally for the quality of its academic programmes and research activities. In a table of the top 50 arts and humanities universities worldwide compiled by the Times Higher Education Supplement in early 2005, Sussex is ranked sixth in Britain and 22nd internationally. Among the top 100 social sciences universities, Sussex is ranked eighth in the UK and 48th worldwide. Moreover in the latest assessment of the standards of research in British universities (the Research Assessment Exercise), over 90 percent of Sussex staff and 29 subject areas were judged to be of national or international excellence. The faculty includes two Nobel prize winners, 13 fellows of the Royal Society, five fellows of the British Academy and a winner of the prestigious Craaford Prize. These encomiums are particularly meritorious given that Sussex University was established a mere 45 years ago. It was the first of a new wave of universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in August 1961. Forty years on, it is widely ackno-wledged as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research institutions, characterised by a number of academic strengths including research excellence, internationalism and inter-disciplinarity. “At Sussex we offer plenty of variety in studies. We break down barriers between traditional subjects, allowing students flexibility and choice. We encourage intellectual breadth and self-reliance — skills that are highly prized in the worlds of work and research,” says Prof. Alasdair Smith, vice-chancellor. Currently the varsity has an enrollment of 11,733 under-graduate and postgraduate students, of whom more than 2,500 are international students from 120 countries. Brighton. A lively, friendly seaside town, Brighton offers a wide range of leisure facilities which could well have been designed for students! It is just about an hour by train from London and is well positioned for international travel. No town or city in the UK has more restaurants per resident than Brighton. It offers a huge culinary choice — Thai, Mexican, Chinese, French, Indian — all reasonably priced. Brighton’s other highlights include a cutting-edge club scene, a thriving artistic and cultural community, shopping arcades and a unique atmosphere of freedom and tolerance. Surrounding Brighton is some of the most picturesque countryside in England. Cradling the city, the South Downs provide breathtaking views, tranquil walks and opportunities for paragliding, mountain biking, hiking or sedate picnics. Stanmer Park, contiguous to the university campus, has vast acres of open spaces, a large wooded area, two farms and a village street complete with a shop and traditional tearoom. Campus facilities. Set in acres of parkland, the Sussex University campus is entirely self-contained and offers excellent academic, social and sports facilities. The library houses over 750,000 volumes, 3,500 periodicals, electronic and audiovisual resources and an on-line…