Developing the West Slope
Learn about how we are growing our campus.
Campus development
We’re investing in making the University of Sussex better. Through our campus development, we can maintain our position as one of the world’s leading academic institutions and attract and work with the best and brightest minds.
A better campus
Our experiences of study, work and life over the past few years have highlighted even more keenly the need to provide space that works for all our people – students and staff alike.
We’re investing in making our stunning 60-year-old campus better – with everything from big builds to small changes to our existing space and facilities. These will give us areas that work, providing modern spaces and keeping our historic campus beautiful for another 60 years.
Over the past five years, we have built 2,117 new bedrooms on campus, creating a new student village – East Slope – with a mixture of townhouses and flats as well as study spaces and social hubs. We have also opened the doors of our brand new Student Centre – a multipurpose learning and events space, which as well as being a new hub for student services, offers retail and leisure amenities.
Our next step is the most ambitious programme we have undertaken in recent years. The West Slope development will greatly enhance the student and academic experience, giving the University the infrastructure it needs to continue to be an internationally-recognised centre for excellence, as well as being a covetable place to live, work and forge connections.
Investing in the student experience
Read about our exciting new Student Centre.
Enhancing our landscape and environment
Explore our grand green spaces.
Preserving our architecture and heritage
Delve into our decades of history.
Latest news
West Slope is officially under construction
Posted on behalf of: Better Campus Team
Last updated: Monday, 15 April 2024
Left to right: Bella Sankey (Councillor), Comfort Karim (Student Ambassador), Mayor Jackie O'Quinn, Ishfaq Mohammed (Student Ambassador), Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil
Student Ambassadors Comfort and Ishfaq share their experience of meeting Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil to mark the start of West Slope construction.
Widening Participation Student Ambassadors Comfort Karim and Ishfaq Mohammed joined Vice-Chancellor, Sasha Roseneil on Thursday 21 March, to break new ground on the University of Sussex’s West Slope development.
West Slope will add almost 2,000 new student accommodation rooms to campus, as well as a new supermarket, café, and study spaces. West Slope also features a brand new Health and Wellbeing Centre, which is due to open in 2026, and will bring together NHS services and University wellbeing services at the heart of campus.
In line with the University’s mission to be one of the most sustainable in the world, West Slope will also be built to BREEAM Excellent standards with green roofs, water recycling and solar panels.
Comfort Karim, a final year Marketing and Management student, attended the event and said: “I found the opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes creation of the West Slope development immensely rewarding. Engaging in conversations and networking with professionals and key decision-makers of the university, such as Sasha, was truly enlightening.”
Ishfaq Mohammed, a final year Business and Management student, said: ‘I've thoroughly enjoyed participating in a historic moment at the University of Sussex. It's been enlightening to delve into the future development plans for West Slope, aiming to offer students contemporary, accessible accommodation, and enhanced facilities.’
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “West Slope will give us much-needed new student accommodation, allowing more students to enjoy the educational and social benefits of campus living, and our new Health and Wellbeing Centre will put student welfare right at the heart of our campus.
“Celebrating the start of construction with our Sussex and Brighton community partners, I am excited to watch the landscape of our West Slope evolve and transform into contemporary, environmentally suitable, and fully, accessible and inclusive student facilities.”
You can read more about West Slope and other campus developments on the Student Hub.