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50 years

August 1990 - July 1991

  • The UK's future lies in equipping future generations with the skills to expand the knowledge base. Sussex aims to do this by concentrating research on to areas key to economic, political and scientific progress
  • Applications for UG places have increased by 45 per cent since 1988, with plans to increase student numbers to 7,500 in the next five years
  • New buildings are planned: a £19 million programme to extend residential housing is the biggest in Sussex's history; 562 new units are to be built on campus plus the adaptation of some buildings to bring this up to 600. Off campus a further 250 units are planned
  • Twenty per cent of Sussex students spend a year of their programme in Europe, including 15 per cent of scientists
  • New BAs on offer include Computer Science with European Studies and European Commercial Law
  • A new Graduate Institute in Contemporary European Studies is planned as the single European Market approaches
  • There is growing emphasis on professional development programmes including an MA in Public Service Management
  • There are new degrees focussing on the environment: Ecology and Conservation, Geography and Environmental Studies, MA in Environmental Development and Planning, and Diploma In Environmental Studies
  • The Trafford Centre for Medical Research opens. It will conduct research into ageing, cancer and community medicine
  • The Sussex Centre for Neuroscience [J1] is opened
  • A grant is awarded to develop non-vocational continuing education aimed at adult and disadvantaged students
  • The A27 is first referred to as an 'academic corridor'
  • Research grants and contracts totalling over £9.5 million are awarded to the University
  • The Faraday Lecture Tour co-presented by Sussex and Bath begins at the Brighton Dome. It will tour 16 towns and cities over six months and will be seen by over 85,000 schoolchildren
  • In November 1990 IDS celebrates its 25th anniversary with an International Silver Jubilee Conference
  • In December Sussex decides to adopt a 'comprehensive and integrated institutional environment policy'
  • A new Major in Music and Media Studies is approved
  • Mastermind is filmed at the Meeting House
  • In January 1991 Joan Mont and Raymond Blackwood, University Council members, are awarded honorary degrees
  • The University credit card is launched. Profits will be used to expand the nursery and crèche
  • Brighton and Albion FC adopt the University sports site as training headquarters; the team think the facilities are first-rate
  • In February 1991 the University's tender to Continuing Education is funded in full by the Universities Funding Council (UFC), enabling the University to fulfill its plans to increase and diversify adult education courses in the Sussex region. The grant of £750,000 20 per cent above the national average and the ninth largest increase in the country
  • The UFC awards Sussex the 12th largest increase among universities and the 10th largest increase in student numbers
  • In March 1991 Sussex is given the go-ahead to offer the first full-time Common Professional Examination (CPE) in the South East by the Law Society and Bar
  • The Library opens its information network to support the growth in computer-based information services for research and teaching-training needs. Services will be available across campus
  • The Trafford Appeal is launched to raise £2 million for the Trafford Centre
  • During April 1991 over 1,000 school children visit the University Open Day
  • The VC performs the topping-out ceremony for the first of the new campus housing projects
  • The Diploma in Social Work is launched; the first of its kind in the country and first-ever collaboration between Sussex, Brighton Polytechnic and East Sussex Social Services
  • May 1991 sees Ken Dodd receiving a Visiting Fellowship as part of the Brighton Festival
  • Registrar Dr Geoff Lockwood celebrates 30 years at the University at a reunion with friends and colleagues
  • The Trafford Centre for Medical Research opened by the Chancellor the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. Lady Trafford is awarded an honorary degree
  • In June 1991 the Centre for Social Work is established
  • SPRU celebrates its 25th anniversary with a major conference on campus, welcoming 300 delegates from around the world
  • The University celebrates its 30th anniversary with the largest graduation ceremony in its history. One thousand two hundred and fifty-three graduands receive their degrees, 933 in person

Quick fact

Languages are the most popular undergraduate subject

Student numbers

Over 6,000 students; a one-third increase over a four-year period