• Fourteen new professors are appointed; 11 internally and three externally
• Sussex is still in the top twelve UK universities and seventh in the Research League tables, but the gap between Oxbridge and the rest is widening because of the effects of the RAE
• Sussex ranks 20th among old universities for research students but needs more taught PGs
• There has been a fall in applications over the past few years for UG programmes and first indications are that the unique Sussex way of studying might have to change. This begins by changing the prospectus to make it easier for students to follow
• There are plans to develop a Medical School jointly with Brighton University and the local NHS Trusts
• Some developments at Sussex are put on hold, including a new crèche and nursery facilities, student community building and the refurbishment of Falmer House because of tight financial position, although it is hoped that the new Government will reverse the trend towards cutting university funding
• University Radio Falmer is declared the best student radio station in the UK in the BBC Radio 1 awards
• Students paint a mural on the underpass, which is officially opened by the VC in December
• The Sussex Innovation Centre creates over 50 jobs in its first year
• The Excellence in Teaching awards begin this year, with faculty being awarded at the winter graduation ceremony
• Professor John Maynard Smith receives a Royal Medal for his contributions in the fields of paleobiology, genetics and behavioural ecology

Student numbers

One-third of all postgraduate students are from overseas

5,500 adults are registered on CCE programmes, over 2,350 of whom are on award- or credit-bearing programmes