Latest student news
Your student update: Study support, plus you could win a MacBook Air
Posted on behalf of: Student Communications
Last updated: Thursday, 13 April 2023

Professor Kelly Coate
Earlier today, Kelly Coate, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, wrote to all taught students. You can read her full email below:
Hello,
I hope you are having a good spring vacation. This week I’m in touch with a shorter message, including some excellent opportunities.
I’m also happy to share that Sussex has come joint first for Sustainable Food in People & Planet’s 2022/23 university league table. You can read more about this on the Student Hub.
Read on for this week’s update, including:
- Resources to support you with assessments
- Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey: £1000 prize draw closes on Monday
- Question your local election candidates in the hustings
- Paid internship opportunities for autistic Sussex students
- You could win a MacBook Air with Santander Universities!
- How to recession-proof your finances and win £50
- National test of the UK Emergency Alerts service
- TEDx University of Sussex 2023 event on campus
- Sussex snapshot
Resources to support you with assessments
Ahead of the next assessment period, do take the time to read through our guide to submitting work and accessing feedback in Canvas. You might also like to revisit our Digital Learning Guide to Sussex Direct and Canvas, which was created by students to help you.
Our refreshed Skills Hub has lots of resources to help you with your studies, including support around referencing and revision. Watch the welcome video to get started.
I'm wishing you luck with your upcoming assessments and I hope you can take a break over the vacation as well.
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey: £1000 prize draw closes on Monday
The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is an opportunity for you to let us know about your postgraduate experience so far. Your responses will help shape the future for other postgraduate students.
If you’ve not yet taken part, don’t forget that if you complete the PTES by the end of Monday 17 April, you’ll be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win one of two £1000 cash prizes.
Plus, for every eligible student that completes the survey before it closes on 7 May, the University will donate £1 to a charity chosen by you. You can vote for your favourite charity at the end of the survey, from a shortlist nominated by student reps.
If you access the survey via the link above you will need your respondent ID and password (not your University of Sussex credentials), which you can find in the email you received on 27 March 2023 inviting you to take part in the survey.
You can find information about the PTES on the Student Hub.
Question your local election candidates in the hustings
Local elections are coming up on 4 May, and you have the opportunity to question some of your local candidates standing for election at the hustings on Monday 24 April (5.30-7pm at the Meeting House on campus).
Find out how some of your Brighton & Hove representatives plan to tackle local issues that matter to you. The event is free to attend but places are limited so make sure you book in advance using Eventbrite.
Don’t forget that new rules mean you must bring photo ID when voting in person in the elections. Find out more on the Electoral Commission website.
Paid internship opportunities for autistic Sussex students
The University has 15 paid internships currently being advertised that are exclusively for autistic Sussex students and recent graduates.
The internships will take place over the summer, pay at least £10.90 per hour and the employers taking part have all undertaken Employ Autism training, to ensure that you are fully supported in your work experience. Opportunities are a mixture of in-person and remote, with roles in areas such as digital marketing and production.
To explore all the internships, log into CareerHub and select Ambitious About Autism Internships.
You could win a MacBook Air with Santander Universities!
Our partner Santander Universities is giving away ten MacBook Air laptops to higher education students in the UK. If not already registered, you will need to register first for the free Santander Scholarships Platform, verify your email address and then enter the prize draw. All students are eligible, even if you don’t bank with Santander. Entries are open now and will close on 12 May 2023.
How to recession-proof your finances and win £50
From Monday 17 to Friday 28 April, our partner Blackbullion will be running their ‘Recession-proof your finances’ competition. You’ll learn what a recession is, what causes one and how to survive and thrive in a recession. Complete the pathway to collect the ‘Recession-proof’ badge and enter a prize draw for £50 to add to your savings, as well as three personal finance books to help you learn more about money. Find out how to take part.
National test of the UK Emergency Alerts service
On Sunday 23 April, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. This service means that, in an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.
See the Government website for information about this test, including a video that shows an example emergency alert.
TEDx University of Sussex 2023 event on campus
Back in person after 10 years, TEDx University of Sussex 2023 is happening on campus on 23 April. It will be an inspiring day filled with a range of speakers, workshops and entertainment, from Brighton and beyond. This year’s theme is “Unlearn, Re-learn". Register on Eventbrite for your free ticket.
Finally, don’t forget you can contact the Student Centre, either online or in person, for information and support on a wide range of issues.
With best wishes,
Kelly
Professor Kelly Coate, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students