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Our Transformation Programme

In the Sussex 2025 Strategic Framework, we set out our collective ambition to build on our successes and pioneering spirit to ensure the University of Sussex can thrive locally, regionally, nationally and globally in new times and for a new generation.

Excellence in Education and Research

Across the institution, demand for programmes has accelerated in some areas, remained static in others and unfortunately reduced considerably in others. We are now somewhat out of shape as a University: with some parts of the University wanting to grow but struggling for investment.

So, we need to realign to address these challenges. We need to ensure our offer to students aligns with their aspiration, and we need to ensure that their experience and outcomes are on a par with the best institutions in the world.

We will never lose sight of our strengths in education and research but to reclaim our reputation as the University of choice for academics and students we need to respond to what students and research funders want from us – and we need to strive to ensure the experience is always excellent

A key aim of the Size and Shape programme is to enable the University to achieve excellence in education and research – contributing to great outcomes for our students and impact for our research.

In order to do this we need to address how we are allocating our financial resources to achieve these goals. This means taking a close look at our internal funding model – specifically cross subsidy.

As a reminder, in its broadest sense, cross subsidy is an internal financial process in which a proportion of income from one School (normally tuition fees) is used to subsidise another School for which the income generated from tuition fees or research funding is not sufficient to cover planned activities.

The University’s values are central to our approach throughout the Size and Shape programme. We have been open and transparent about the challenges we face. Following the six-week Size and Shape consultation period during April and May, one outcome was a need to further engage staff on cross subsidy.

Virtual session on cross subsidy

As a result, we are holding a meeting designed to help our people understand how cross subsidy works across Schools here at Sussex.

This event will be held on 22 July, from 2 to 4.30pm. There will be 50 places available for staff to attend, and it is hoped that there will be a wide representation of staff from across the University’s Academic and Professional Services divisions. 

Register now- places will be first come first served. If there is a much higher demand than anticipated further sessions will be scheduled as we are keen to involve staff in matters they care about. The event will be recorded and shared via the Sussex Size and Shape Engagement webpages.