Student Support
You are supported throughout your time in the School of Life Sciences by helpful staff and fellow students in support roles (mentors and reps) as well as central support services provided by the University. The Student Centre is at the heart of your student experience. Find out about the help available.
Academic Advisors
Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor if you need advice about your academic progress, to get feedback on your work and approach to study.
Office hours for your Academic Advisor can be found on your Sussex Direct study pages.
School Student Experience Group (SSEG)
The SSEG meets at least once a term, and is composed of all Student Reps, along with key members of faculty such as the Head or Deputy Head of School, the School Administrator, the Directors of Teaching and Learning, the Director of Student Experience, and Senior Academic Advisors. The SSEG is a forum in which the student reps discuss issues arising from their cohorts, including issues of concern and ideas for improvement. It typically discusses issues which can be resolved within the School. For additional information, visit the AQP website.
School Support Network
We have a network of trained staff who can provide advice, support and guidance. Find out more on the School Support Network webpage.
Skills Hub
Skills Hub is a great resource for all students to help you prepare for your studies. Use the site for support with:
- getting organised
- reading and research
- assessments: essays, reports, presentations and more
- writing well
- numeracy skills
- revision and exams.
The Buddy Scheme
Buddy Scheme Volunteers help and support other students. A buddy can support you and introduce you to life on campus, around Brighton and beyond. The Buddy Scheme is a Student's Union peer to peer support scheme that is open to all Sussex students at all levels of study. For more information, or to get involved, visit the Student's Union website.
The Student Centre
Whether it’s a simple query or support with a more complex issue, there’s a wide range of information, advice and guidance available at the Student Centre.
The Student Centre brings together our student support services, who provide confidential, pre-booked appointments in-person or via Zoom on a range of issues. They will also be running drop-in sessions, events and other activities throughout the year.
English Language for Academic Support (ELAS)
If you are on one of our degree programmes and English is not your first language, you can take advantage of workshops, sessions and tutorials run by English Language for Academic Study (ELAS).
ELAS offers a range of opportunities, including:
- workshops focusing on academic English language, skills and culture
- ‘time to write’ sessions, where you can put into practise what you learned at our workshops
- drop-in sessions to ask questions and find the support you need (no booking required)
- pre-booked tutorials to seek advice and feedback on your work.
They’re here to help you understand and adjust to the changes of university life at Sussex.
You can enrol through the Canvas platform. Here you’ll find more information about what ELAS offer, including the timetable for workshops and other sessions, as well as how to book these. You will also find self-study resources.
Issues, queries and personal problems
Whether it’s a simple query or support with a more complex issue, there’s a wide range of information, advice and guidance available at the Student Centre.
- emotional, personal or family crisis
- feeling homesick, difficulties settling in, housing problems
- safety, crime, sexual violence
- feeling anxious about seminars, concerns about study skills, performance and progression
- health concerns and other situations that may be impacting on studies.
- have access to resources 24/7
- be able to access support services and book onto events.
Student Wellbeing Canvas
This Canvas site is designed to provide key links to the Student Hub and other resources, making them easily accessible where students engage most.