Japan

Ranked as one of the most international universities in the UK, we'd be delighted to welcome you to Sussex.

Welcome!/ようこそ!

A very warm welcome to the University of Sussex – one of the most popular universities for Japanese students in the UK. We’re home to over 5,000 international students from 145 countries, with over 150 from Japan.

Find out some of the key information about us below.

Contents

Student testimonials

Read about the experiences of two Japanese Sussex students.

Application information

University preparation courses

Find out more about International Foundation Year, International Year One and Pre-Masters courses.

Junior Year Abroad (JYA)

If you are a university student from Japan, you can spend a year or term at Sussex as part of our Junior Year Abroad programme.

You study academic and/or English language courses, and for some programmes, you receive credits that you may be able to transfer to your university.

Study International Development Studies at Sussex

The University of Sussex uniquely teaches International Development across five different places.

The consistent top world ranking position (QS WUR) in Development Studies applies to relevant postgraduate courses in each of the following:

Find out more information on one of our Development Studies Weeks. Leading academics, alumni and current students (including many from Japan) provide an insight into Development Studies at Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). 

Learn more about studying undergraduate International Relations and International Development from our former undergraduate student from Japan, Naomi Kawamoto. 

Find out about one of the most popular courses for Japanese students, the MA International Education and Development, from former student Kentaro Fukuchi and how it helped him with his top career at JICA.

Life at Sussex

Situated on the edge of a national park and located just a few minutes away from one of the most vibrant cities in the UK, Sussex has it all.

Support for international students

Sussex has teams dedicated to helping you make the most of your time at university. They can provide: 

  • advice on immigration and applying for your visa
  • support with finding accommodation
  • welfare support
  • help to improve your English language and writing skills.
  • guidance with searching for part-time jobs
  • recognition of your extra-curricular and voluntary achievements.

Find out more about support

Spirit of Sussex Award

The Spirit of Sussex Award is our way of recognising you’re achievements at Sussex. It can help you:

  • feel involved with life at Sussex
  • make friends and build a wider network while you're with us
  • get a job after your studies by showcasing all your achievements to future employers.

Discover more about the scheme.

Our location

Sussex is renowned for its location next to the South Downs National Park and its close proximity to Brighton.

  • We’re home to a beautiful campus next to a national park, convenient and close to the vibrant seaside city of Brighton and only an hour away from London
  • Brighton was ranked the most hipster city in the world (Movehub 2020), based on the number of record shops, vintage boutiques, vegan restaurants and coffee shops
  • Brighton is regarded as one of the most progressive cities in the UK, with a number of NGOs, charities and grassroots organisations based in Brighton. This makes it an ideal place to be located if you are planning to study within the field of development studies.

Food and culture

Brighton has many Asian restaurants and supermarkets, including Fortune Oriental Supermarket and Yum Yum Oriental Market.

You can also buy international products from our weekly on-campus market and food markets in Brighton.

Clubs and societies

Japan Society

The highly active Japan Society acts as a home away from home for Japanese students whilst welcoming students from all over the world who have an interest in Japanese culture. They organise film nights, sushi nights, cultural exchanges and more.

Find out more about the society.

Other societies

Choose from more than 200 societies and groups at Sussex and Brighton, including:

  • the Buddy Scheme, which matches new students with current students based on your interests and includes activities and trips
  • the Language Café, where you take part in language exchange sessions and other activities.
Brighton is a city with a beautiful sea, cheerful people and a brilliant atmosphere.” Masataka Mori
International Development BA

Alumni and careers

A degree from Sussex is internationally recognised and our Japanese alumni have gone on to do incredible things. Japanese graduates have taken up exciting roles at:

  • JICA
  • UNDP
  • ILO
  • IOM
  • Asian Development Bank
  • Embassies
  • UNHCR
  • UNICEF

Speak to an International Alumni Ambassador

Our international alumni ambassadors are recent graduates who help support the next generation of international students. Based in cities across Japan, they can help answer any questions you may have about studying at university via our online chat platform, Unibuddy.

Mami

Graduated: 2017
Course: MA International Education and Development
Current job title: Advocacy Officer for Save the Children Japan

Chat to Mami on Unibuddy.

Mami

Yukari

Graduated: 2018
Course: MA Poverty and Development
Current job title: Country Officer for Japan International Corperation Agency (JIKA)

Chat to Yukari on Unibuddy.

Yukari

Alumni network

We also have an alumni network based in Japan who can discuss with you their experiences of studying at Sussex. Find out more.

A group of alumni of different ages in a restaurant

A meet up of the University of Sussex Japanese Alumni Association in Japan.

 

A picture of Japanese offer holders and alumni meeting in a bar

Offer holders meeting alumni in Tokyo January 2024.

 

 

Our Japanese Alumni Association (USAAJ) provide a student support network and organise activities such as:

  • member dinners and parties, often with university staff
  • British Council and Foreign and Commonwealth Office events
  • academic seminars
  • counselling prospective students at education exhibitions
  • briefing new students before they go to the UK.

Email James, our International Officer for Japan, at j.i.minhas@sussex.ac.uk to contact the association.

Alumni stories

Read about the experiences of four of our Japanese alumni, who have gone on to work for organisations as esteemed as the United Nations and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Read more.

Get in touch

Talk to James

James Minhas is our International Officer for Japan based on campus.

Having graduated from Sussex and worked with international students for several years, James is ready to share his experiences with you and help you on your educational journey.

Email: j.i.minhas@sussex.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 872894
Unibuddy: James Minhas

Book a one-to-one meeting with James via Zoom.

Ask a student

Want to find out more about student life? Chat to our students online via Unibuddy.

Ask a question.

Find a representative in Japan

Sussex is represented by professional agencies in Japan.

They can support you through the process of applying to university, providing advice and helping you with the preparation and submission of your documents.

We work closely with agents to ensure you receive detailed and accurate advice about coming to study at Sussex. Find out more about our work with agent partners and how you can provide feedback about an agent.

See our list of agents in Tokyo and Osaka.

  • Tokyo

    BEO
    Email: study@beo.jp
    Address: Okada Bldg. 4F, 1-19-8 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002

    Talk to our dedicated Japan Country officer, Kazuki, about studying at Sussex: k.kido@beo.jp.

    SI-UK
    Email: tokyo@ukeducation.jp
    Address: Takagi Building 3F, Kamiosaki 2−15−14, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo-to, 141-0021, Japan

  • Osaka

    BEO
    Email: osaka@beo.jp
    Tel: 06-4256-7161
    Address: Kyoei Building 2F, Room 210-C, 2-8-11 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka City

     

    SI-UK
    Email: osaka@ukeducation.jp
    Address: 2F Nissei Building East, 2-2-13 Shibata, Kita-Ku, Osaka, 530-0012

Partnerships

We work with universities in Japan on staff and student exchange and joint research programmes. Our partner universities include:

Events

Meet International Officer for Japan, James Minhas, at the following events in March 2024:

Saturday 23 March:  SIUK UK Fair 1pm to 6pm  - Akihabara UDX Gallery, 4-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021

Sunday 24 March: BEO UK Fair 1pm to 6pm - Shinjuku L Tower, 1-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 

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