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What’s it like to study at Sussex? Studying at Sussex S tudying at university can be exciting, rewarding and challenging. You will be exploring new and fascinating ideas in ways that may be very different from those you are used to in school or college. At Sussex our aim is that you enjoy your subject, gain experience in different ways of thinking and working, and leave with the knowledge and skills to take control of your future. University study involves an approach that you may not have experienced before – it’s very much a two-way process. You will find that you have access to a wide range of resources and support but you will be expected to make your own decisions: to study things that really interest you, to become increasingly independent in your work, but also skilful at working with others. Your patterns of study will be different, depending on your degree, but the opportunity to study at the cutting edge of your subject and to commit yourself to achieving your full potential is the same for everyone. Learning and teaching For most students, learning and teaching activities will involve large-group teaching combined with smaller group activities, including some or all of the methods listed on these pages. In the sciences, for example, learning activities include laboratory or practical classes and fieldwork, as well as private study. The number of teaching sessions will vary according to your subject and to your year of study. Formal contact hours tend to decrease as students progress through programmes, and become increasingly independent and self-directed learners. Outside formal teaching contact time you will be expected to study independently, so you will need to organise your time efficiently and develop good study habits. Lectures Many courses are built around a series of lectures, each lasting about an hour. Lectures usually take place in specially designed lecture theatres and offer a regular opportunity for the whole student group to be taught together. They are given by members of teaching staff on a particular prepared subject. Often a number of different lecturers will contribute to a series covering a broad subject area. They provide a number of different opportunities for you to learn: key information can be disseminated as the basis for further study or practicals; a framework of ideas can be established for exploration through further reading and research; within the format of the lecture, small break-out discussion groups can be formed; and key terms can be defined and explained. Lectures are important, but they represent only a starting point: you are expected to build on what you learn, for example through course- specific information and notes and through your own wider reading (see page 10 for information on learning resources). Seminars Lectures are often supported by seminars, in which a group of students and their tutor talk through ideas, question assumptions and discuss aspects of a topic in depth. Sometimes a student presentation or problem exercise provides the basis for discussion. Tutorials Many subjects offer tutorials where you can ask questions, check your understanding, solve problems and discuss assignments individually with a tutor or in a small group. This encourages you to be self-reliant, analyse problems, think imaginatively, develop new ideas and argue your case. Exercise classes Exercise classes are similar to tutorials, with a larger group of students working through exercises set by the lecturer. Laboratory and practical work Laboratory and practical classes are an important opportunity for science, and some media, students to test the concepts and methods introduced in lectures and tutorials. What’s it like to study at Sussex? Studying at Sussex 6

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Section 2 of the University of Sussex undergraduate prospectus 2009. Visit www.sussex.ac.uk to view online or order a printed copy of the 2010 prospectus.

Transcript of Undergraduate prospectus section 2: Studying At Sussex

Page 1: Undergraduate prospectus section 2: Studying At Sussex

What’s it like to study at Sussex?Studying at Sussex

Studying at university can be exciting, rewarding and challenging. You will be exploring new and fascinating ideas

in ways that may be very different from those you are used to in school or college. At Sussex our aim is that you enjoy your subject, gain experience in different ways of thinking and working, and leave with the knowledge and skills to take control of your future.

University study involves an approach that you may not have experienced before – it’s very much a two-way process. You will find that you have access to a wide range of resources and support but you will be expected to make your own decisions: to study things that really interest you, to become increasingly independent in your work, but also skilful at working with others. Your patterns of study will be different, depending on your degree, but the opportunity to study at the cutting edge of your subject and to commit yourself to achieving your full potential is the same for everyone.

Learning and teachingFor most students, learning and teaching activities will involve large-group teaching combined with smaller group activities, including some or all of the methods listed on these pages. In the sciences, for example, learning activities include laboratory or practical classes and fieldwork, as well as private study.

The number of teaching sessions will vary according to your subject and to your year of study. Formal contact hours tend to decrease as students progress through programmes, and become increasingly independent and self-directed learners. Outside formal teaching contact time you will be expected to study independently, so you will need to organise your time efficiently and develop good study habits.

LecturesMany courses are built around a series of lectures, each lasting about an hour. Lectures usually take place in specially designed lecture theatres and offer a regular opportunity for the whole student group to be taught together. They are given by members of teaching staff on a particular prepared subject. Often a number of different lecturers will contribute to a series covering a broad

subject area. They provide a number of different opportunities for you to learn: key information can be disseminated as the basis for further study or practicals; a framework of ideas can be established for exploration through further reading and research; within the format of the lecture, small break-out discussion groups can be formed; and key terms can be defined and explained. Lectures are important, but they represent only a starting point: you are expected to build on what you learn, for example through course-specific information and notes and through your own wider reading (see page 10 for information on learning resources).

SeminarsLectures are often supported by seminars, in which a group of students and their tutor talk through ideas, question assumptions and discuss aspects of a topic in depth. Sometimes a student presentation or problem exercise provides the basis for discussion.

TutorialsMany subjects offer tutorials where you can ask questions, check your understanding, solve problems and discuss assignments individually with a tutor or in a small group. This encourages you to be self-reliant, analyse problems, think imaginatively, develop new ideas and argue your case.

Exercise classesExercise classes are similar to tutorials, with a larger group of students working through exercises set by the lecturer.

Laboratory and practical workLaboratory and practical classes are an important opportunity for science, and some media, students to test the concepts and methods introduced in lectures and tutorials.

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You will usually work in partnership with other students. Working collaboratively and writing reports of the experiment and your observations are important elements of this work.

Group workYou may also be involved in group work, in which you collaborate with other students on a project, presentation or in a production task. This encourages you to take different roles and responsibilities, to share expertise and tackle tasks that you would not be able to undertake alone. The ability to work effectively in groups is much sought after by employers.

Independent studyIndependent reading and study, guided by lecturers, will enable you to prepare for – and follow up – topics in greater depth. This is especially important when you are undertaking an assignment, whether it’s a coursework essay, a presentation or preparation for an exam.

Much of your learning will depend on you: how you use the learning resources available to you; the extent to which you participate in discussions and practical or group work; and how you tackle course assignments and assessments.

During your second and third years there is greater emphasis on small-group and project work, and in the final year there is a shift to even more independent study. In many disciplines, this greater independence in the final year gives you the opportunity for more in-depth study of a particular topic. So, as well as having a broad understanding of your subject and its context, you develop a specialist interest and expertise. This breadth and depth of study – and the skills that it nurtures – will prove invaluable in your future career.

Learning supportWe understand that starting anything new can seem overwhelming, so we try to ensure that your first terms go well and leave you feeling positive and confident. We help to give you the skills you need to make the most of your studies both through support from your department and general study skills guidance and specialist support from the Library, IT Services and the Sussex Language Institute. Some of the things we do to support you will be organised alongside your studies. You will have an induction programme to get you going, and an assigned academic advisor throughout your programme to help you review how you are doing. We also have specially trained student mentors who can offer support on learning and assessment from a fellow student’s perspective.

AssessmentAt Sussex you will experience a range of assessments designed to give you the best opportunities to demonstrate your learning.

This means that your entire degree does not just depend on how well you do in your final-year exams. Instead, a variety of assessment methods measure different aspects of your progress. For example: an essay encourages you to read widely to answer a specific question; a dissertation examines your ability to sustain an original argument; a project evaluates your capacity to apply research; and an unseen exam tests your grasp of the breadth of a subject.

All science students and most arts students have exams at the end of each year.

Other methods of assessment include peer assessment, oral tests, portfolios of material compiled during a course, or take-away papers in which you are given up to three days to answer questions.

Assessment methods also include independent study projects, where you negotiate with a tutor about the nature of the project, what you aim to learn and the evidence you will provide to show that you have achieved your aims. This requires competence in organising your time and resources, some prior knowledge and understanding of the topic and a certain level of confidence. Satisfactory completion of assessed work is required for you to progress from one year to the next.

Degree classificationThe final degree classification is based on a number of different kinds of assessment, in order to give the fairest picture of each individual student’s abilities and achieve-ments. Assessments are used to build up a profile of your learning achievements throughout your degree; in most programmes your marks count towards your final degree classification from the second year onwards.

Listening to youWe believe that it’s essential to understand your views on studying at Sussex. We take all your feedback seriously, and try to use it to improve what we offer and the way we work. Our aim, of course, is to ensure that you get the most out of your time at Sussex.

We learn about your opinions through:

• student surveys that track your overall experience throughout your time at Sussex

• course evaluations that provide us with feedback about each course you take

• elected student representatives who attend all our teaching and learning committees

• more informal face-to-face discussions with you about your experiences at Sussex.

The comments we most commonly receive are that tutors are friendly and approachable; that the courses are interesting, relevant and challenging; that the student body has a really good mix; and that the campus is a great place to study and learn. If you choose Sussex, we hope you feel the same.

Students celebrate their results outside the Genome Damage and Stability Centre

Paul’s perspective‘Gone are the days when students were expected to sit for hours on end listening to the monotone drone of some venerable professor! ‘Research has shown that we learn best through discovering things for ourselves rather than simply being told things. Our approach to teaching here at Sussex is rooted in an understanding of the lecturer’s role as someone who inspires students to become active explorers of knowledge themselves. You will be encouraged to make your own discoveries and become an increasingly independent thinker.‘We all learn in different ways and, at Sussex, students encounter a varied and engaging curriculum, not only in terms of course content, but also in terms of how their learning takes place. This means Sussex students are likely to find themselves debating texts with their tutors and peers in a seminar, working collaboratively on research projects, making presentations, or organising reading groups. “Discovery learning” not only makes good teaching sense, it’s also much more fun!’

Paul BasuSenior Lecturer in Anthropology

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What’s special about Sussex?Studying at Sussex

There’s a unique flavour to Sussex that makes studying here a great experience. Our strong reputation for research

attracts outstanding academic staff from around the world and provides firm foundations for our teaching excellence. Add to this our proud history for innovative learning approaches and inclusiveness, where everyone is encouraged to make the most of all their talents, and you have a recipe for outstanding success.

Our research reputationWe’re proud of our research excellence across a broad range of disciplines, with many of our world-renowned academic staff working at the cutting edge of their fields in both the arts and sciences. Sussex has counted three Nobel Prize winners, 12 Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS), six Fellows of the British Academy and a winner of the prestigious Crafoord Prize on its faculty. Yet another Sussex FRS was appointed in 2007.

In the most recent assessment of the standards of research in UK universities, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) of 2001, over 90 per cent of Sussex academic staff and all of our subject areas were judged to be of national or international excellence. You’ll be able to read about our 2008 RAE scores when they’re published in December 2008.

The quality of our research is reflected in the significant level of funding we attract from industry, research organisations and government agencies. Approximately 20 per cent of our overall income comes from research activities.

We also invest millions of pounds in research: in purpose-built research facilities such as the Genome Damage and Stability Centre; in infrastructure developments such as state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School; and in the University’s Library, home to remarkable resources such as the Rudyard Kipling papers and the New Statesman archive.

Much of our research is devoted to finding solutions to real-world problems, with a particular focus on building strong links with business to foster commercial opportunities. Current ground-breaking research includes:

• examining climate change and the shift to providing sustainable energy

• discovering the nature of DNA repair defects in hereditary disorders, and so helping to develop cures for these conditions and contribute to cancer treatments

• studying the navigation techniques of insects to advance biological science and to develop new robotic systems inspired by nature

• identifying strategies to reduce the exclusion from education of millions of children in developing countries.

Read more about our research at www.sussex.ac.uk/research

Our teaching excellenceChoosing a research-led university such as Sussex has huge advantages, not just in the teaching you receive, but also for your future career.

Who better to teach you than experts working at the forefront of their field? Not only do they know their subject, they actually create the knowledge that moves their subject forward. Many students have the opportunity to participate directly in ground-breaking research work, with science and engineering students usually joining a faculty research project in their final year.

In addition, over recent years, four members of our academic team have won the Higher Education Academy’s prestigious National Teaching Fellowship Scheme awards, which recognise those who make an outstanding contribution to students’ learning experience.

Whatever your subject at Sussex, whether you are an arts or a science student, you will acquire a range of intellectual skills based on sound research principles. You will develop an analytical and enquiring mind, and the ability to reflect critically on what you have learnt.

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Robin’s perspective‘Sussex was, above all, a marvellous experience. I can’t look back on itwithout smiling and remembering how much fun it was. It was alsolife-changing at every level; it taught me intellectual rigour, criticalthinking, and the value of collective creative intellectual work, which I have applied through my career. ‘Beyond that, Sussex built myself-confidence and self-sufficiency, and launched friendships thatcontinue to this day. ‘With that legacy, you will understand the affection and gratitude I have for this unique university.’

Robin Paxton Managing Director, Discovery Networks (EMEA)

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You will learn to identify challenging questions and to solve intellectually difficult problems. These skills will prove invaluable in a job market that increasingly values the intellectual skills that are encouraged at a research-led university. A degree from Sussex will give you the edge.

Students from across a range of disciplines can also benefit from two recently launched creativity zones that provide opportunities to explore ideas in state-of-the-art surroundings. The creativity zones were developed in partnership with the University of Brighton with help from a £4.1m Government grant in recognition of our excellence in teaching and learning.

Our wider horizons One of the things that Sussex students particularly value is the strong cultural diversity on our campus and in the nearby city of Brighton & Hove.

The strength of our research also means we play host to large numbers of staff and students from all over the world. We currently have over 2,500 international students studying at Sussex, and we are home to researchers and students from 120 countries.

Because we have a large number of international links and many of our degrees have an international element, many students get to experience different cultures at first hand. One in seven of our students takes a degree that involves a year abroad, studying or working in Europe, North America and elsewhere. We also have a curriculum structure that makes it easy to learn a foreign language alongside your major subject.

We work hard to attract students from a variety of backgrounds, including those whose families haven’t experienced higher education before, mature students, black and ethnic-minority students, and students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Our vision for youWe want you to achieve your full potential during and after your time at Sussex.

One of the most exciting things about being at Sussex is the choice you are offered in your studies. You are not confined to studying just one discipline. Even if you take a single honours programme, you can still spend part of your time taking courses from outside your subject area, giving you plenty of opportunities to broaden both your experience and your studies. We also offer a range of fascinating degree combinations, enabling you to tailor your degree to your particular interests. We believe that this approach gives you both depth and breadth of knowledge, and the best possible experience of study.

We also aim to provide opportunities for work experience alongside your studies at Sussex. We offer sandwich degrees, work-shadowing schemes and a well-developed volunteer opportunities scheme, all designed to help you towards that all-important first job after graduation.

Of course, we’ll want you to make the most of your academic studies – to be inspired by your teachers and fellow students, to contribute your own ideas and passion for your subject, and to achieve the degree success that your hard work deserves. But that’s only half the story.

We recognise that there is so much more that you can do at Sussex. You may want to take part in volunteering activities; to achieve your own targets in leisure pursuits such as sport and the arts; and to experience the exciting and diverse culture that our University and the city of Brighton & Hove have to offer.

We know that it is through all these things that you can develop as a person and make a valuable contribution to society once you complete your degree.

Our historic and developing campusVisit Sussex just once and you will be struck by the unique buildings that have formed the core of the campus since the University was founded over 45 years ago. Designed by Sir Basil Spence, they set a new standard in educational architecture.

These remarkable buildings, the beautiful parkland setting for the campus and our long-standing reputation for cutting-edge educational approaches have inspired generations of students since the 1960s.

We are now embarked on a new phase of campus development – with a large-scale refurbishment of teaching spaces completed, a new series of student residences constructed, and a new central teaching building due to open in 2009/10.

Students await the ‘dissertation dash’ on the annual submission deadline day for final-year work

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Learning resourcesStudying at Sussex

While you will be expected to buy some of your own course materials, Sussex provides a range

of specialist resources to support your studies and enhance your learning experience.

The Library The University Library is the key resource for the information that you will need during your studies. Library staff are ready to help and advise you from the day you arrive to the day you come to write your dissertation and prepare for your future career.

Easy to find at the centre of campus, the Library is a quiet and comfortable place to study. It is currently open into the early evening and at weekends during term time.

Additional support can be arranged for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties. If you have any individual requirements or suggestions, a member of the Library staff will be happy to discuss them with you. For more information, email [email protected]

Much of the Library’s information is also available over the internet so you can use the electronic library anywhere and at any time. Visit www.sussex.ac.uk/library

InfoSuss This is a web-based tutorial to help you find your way through the many electronic resources. It will show you how to use the Library catalogue, understand your reading lists and find information online atwww.sussex.ac.uk/library/infosuss

Special Collections The Library has a unique collection of manuscripts, archives and rare books, including the papers of Rudyard Kipling, Virginia and Leonard Woolf, and the archive of the New Statesman, as well as the world-famous Mass Observation Archive. Many of these collections are used in University courses, and undergraduates are welcome by appointment. For more details, see www.sussex.ac.uk/library/speccoll

IT ServicesIT Services (ITS) provide a range of computer facilities that are available to help you study successfully.

Located across the campus, many with 24-hour access, all PCs have a customised desktop, a full MS Office suite, email and internet access. You can print and use your personal file storage from all these PCs. In addition we provide specialist software and a small number of iMac computers. There are also a number of adapted PCs for students with disabilities and additional learning needs.

Our staff offer help and support via the web, by email, over the telephone and in person. There is also an extensive range of IT skills training courses. For more details, see our webpages at www.sussex.ac.uk/its/training

Computing for disabled students ITS currently support 10 adapted PCs specifically for use by students with a disability or specific learning difficulty. In addition to the standard desktop, each adapted PC offers a number of assistive software packages. The PCs are located across campus in easily accessible rooms. Some benefit from height-adjustable desks, while others offer large screens. All have access to printing facilities.

Sussex Direct Most students will already have used Sussex Direct to register before arriving at the University. Once here, however, you can use it for personal and secure access to information about your courses, reading lists, timetables and marks. You can also access Study Direct for your subject-based e-learning course material.

You can find more information at www.sussex.ac.uk/direct

Sussex Language Institute The Institute (SLI) offers self-access and structured learning facilities for students who need support with English, other languages and study skills.

SLI offers a resource library of language-learning materials including computer-assisted language-learning programmes, digital and analogue audio and video media, access to the internet and satellite TV programmes. Teaching facilities include a digital multimedia language laboratory.

For further information on short courses and pre-sessional programmes and resources, see page 29.

Multimedia Services Unit For students taking media and film degrees, the University’s Multimedia Services Unit offers an extensive range of digital production and post-production facilities. These include broadcast-standard shooting kits, professional Avid edit suites, soundproofed digital audio recording studio and voiceover booths, plus a TV and photographic studio with full lighting grid.

Library facilities

Over 1,000 study placesEight group workroomsElectronic library with access to over 20,000 journalsOver 100 PCs, laptop facilities and wireless coverage throughoutAudio-visual facilities including films and documentaries Enquiries deskAutomated book issue and return

IT facilities

450 PCs, many available 24 hours a day Wireless network to enable laptop owners to access online resourcesFree email and internet accessAccess to personalised information about your degreeHelp via the web, by email, over the telephone and in personExtensive trainingSafe storage for computer files, accessible both on and off campusExtensive printing facilitiesAdapted PCs for students with disabilities and additional learning needsStudents who live on campus can connect to the internet from their study bedroomsIf you live on campus, you can use your own computer to connect to the campus network. If you have a laptop, you can take advantage of our extensive wireless network. As well as being able to prepare your assignments when and where you choose, you will be able to benefit from the big investment Sussex is making in virtual learning, and access to online support and information services.

For more details, visit our website at www.sussex.ac.uk/its

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Partners in Europe *

Austria ViennaBelgium BrusselsCzech Republic PragueDenmark Aarhus, Copenhagen, RoskildeEstonia Audentes International UniversityFinland HelsinkiFrance Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Caen, Grenoble, Marseille, Martinique (Antilles-Guyane), Montpellier, Paris, la Réunion (Saint-Denis), Strasbourg, ToulouseGermany Berlin, Bonn, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Konstanz, Mannheim, Munich, TübingenGreece AthensIceland ReykjavikIreland CorkItaly Bologna, Padova, Perugia, Rome, Siena, VeniceThe Netherlands Amsterdam, Groningen, Maastricht, UtrechtPoland Warsaw, WroclawRomania ClujSpain Alicante, Bilbao, Cadiz, Gran Canaria, Granada, Madrid, Salamanca, SevilleSweden Goteborg, Malmo, Stockholm, UppsalaSwitzerland Geneva (Swiss links are outside the LLP Erasmus Programme, but operate similar bilateral arrangements)

Study abroad opportunitiesStudying at Sussex

Would you like to live in another country and experience different cultures and environments as part of your

degree? At Sussex, you can undertake a period of study abroad with many subjects. A large number of Sussex undergraduates spend time abroad either studying or working in Europe, the Americas or elsewhere.

Partners in Asia and Australia *

Australia Monash UniversityChina City University of Hong KongJapan International Christian University (Tokyo)Singapore National University of Singapore Taiwan National Taiwan University

A year abroad is an opportunity to travel, experience life and study in another country, and improve your language skills. While away, you normally follow a full programme of study, the assessment of which counts towards your final degree classification.

Sussex and EuropeWe offer one of the best-supported European study abroad programmes of any UK university. Pioneered independently by Sussex in the 1960s, our study abroad scheme is supported by the European Commission within the framework of its Higher Education initiative, the LLP Erasmus Programme. This enables collaboration with European Higher Education institutions and facilitates the movement of students and teachers to European partners through Erasmus grants.

Some of our degrees have a compulsory year abroad and there is usually a choice of French-, German-, Italian-, and Spanish-speaking destinations. There are also possibilities for some students to study in French-speaking African and Caribbean destinations such as la Réunion and Martinique. For students taking Spanish, study abroad opportunities extend to Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

Some students have the option to undertake work placements in continental Europe, as well as to attend an overseas university, or may work as teaching assistants.

Even if your degree programme does not include a compulsory year abroad, you may still have the opportunity to study at an overseas university as part of your programme. In this case you would replace a term or a year of your degree programme that would normally be spent at Sussex with your time abroad. You have an exciting range of possible destinations – almost all of the EU as well as Iceland and Switzerland.

A growing number of overseas universities now have courses taught in English for international students.

Sussex and North AmericaIf you are studying American Studies or any other degree with an American Studies component (eg American Studies and Politics, or Law with American Studies), you spend your third year (of a four-year degree) in full-time study at a North American university. Among the current roster of exchange universities is the University of California, Rutgers, Tulane, and George Washington universities, and the University of Toronto – the full list can be seen on the next page.

There are opportunities for students taking other subjects to study in North America. Each year we offer places for students wishing to spend a term there.

A scholarship of US$3,000 is offered annually to enable a Sussex student to spend a year studying at the University of California: the William and Olivia Allaway scholarship is open to any Sussex undergraduate whose degree programme does not include a compulsory year abroad, and who is not in the first or final year of their programme. Selection is by essay competition, which is set annually in the academic year prior to the scholarship being taken up. Contact the International and Study Abroad office at the address on page 13 for further details.

Partners in Latin America *

Mexico Universidad Anáhuac del Sur (Mexico City), Universidad de GuadalajaraChile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago)Argentina Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (Mendoza)

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Tanvir’s perspective‘Studying Law with American Studies at Sussex allowed me to spend a year at the University of North Carolina (UNC). And what a year it was! The facilities at UNC are awe-inspiring: they have their own airport, hospital, police force, and even a 60,000-capacity stadium. And since it’s so big, there’s an amazing array of classes. I even saw President Bush and Senator Kerry in the students’ union during the heated 2004 presidential campaign. ‘I also had my own TV show on the university TV station at UNC; I went to Las Vegas and filmed a sequence called “Brits do Vegas”, through which I managed to get an interview with a national TV broadcaster in New York. ‘Living in America had been a dream for me since school, and now the friends I made at UNC are among my closest.’

Tanvir E ChoudharyLaw with American Studies

For the most up-to-date information on study abroad, please contact: International and Study Abroad Office, Level 1, Mantell Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RF. T +44 (0)1273 678422 F +44 (0)1273 678640 E [email protected] www.sussex.ac.uk/international

Study abroad funding and feesThe University of Sussex participates in a number of study abroad schemes, including in Europe the LLP Erasmus Programme.

The Sussex tuition fee is waived for UK/EU students who qualify for Erasmus status and are studying for a full academic year in Europe under the LLP Erasmus Programme, or who undertake a British Council Language Assistantship in Europe. Students who combine a work placement on their year abroad in Europe with study at an Erasmus partner institution, may also be waived the Sussex tuition fee, subject to length of placement and Erasmus eligibility criteria. Students who spend less than a full academic year abroad at an Erasmus institution, eg one term, are liable to pay the same tuition fee as if they were studying at Sussex. Erasmus students do not pay extra tuition fees to the partner university.

Students, who spend their year abroad at one of our non-Erasmus partner institutions, are liable to pay half the prevailing Sussex fee, subject to the usual income assessment procedures. Students, who spend less than a full academic year abroad, are liable to pay the same tuition fee as if they were studying at Sussex. You will not have to pay tuition fees to your host university as these are waived as part of the exchange arrangements.

UK students, studying abroad for eight weeks or more, may be eligible for a higher rate of student loan and a means-tested grant to cover the cost of health insurance and travel to and from the country of study. Students should be aware that in order to get a visa to enter North America they are required to provide financial guarantees in the spring before their year abroad (see pages 166-167 for more information).

1: Geneva

2: Bologna

3: Northern lights, University of Alaska

4: Gran Canaria

Partners in North America *

Canada BUC, Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), Toronto and Waterloo, Université Laval USA Universities of Alaska, California, Universities of Colorado, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Georgia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Miami, Mount Holyoke, New York, North Carolina, Northwestern, Occidental, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Reed, Rensselaer, Rochester, RPI, Rutgers, Spelman, Stonybrook, Texas, Tulane, Vermont, Seattle, Washington

* These listings were correct at the time of going to press (January 2008), but are subject to change as our academic links are developed. Please note that not all subjects are available at the university destinations listed, and students studying abroad will not have unlimited choice in selecting their host university/city.

Studying abroad is an opportunity to experience different cultures and environments. Although the University of Sussex endeavours to ensure that courses offered by foreign universities are of a proper standard for the purpose of your degree programme, it is important to recognise that the facilities may be different from Sussex. In particular, the amount of university accommodation available and the provision of academic, social and welfare support facilities may not be at the same level as at Sussex.

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