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
New Health and Wellbeing Centre: final works underway
Posted on behalf of: Better Campus
Last updated: Thursday, 20 November 2025
The finishing touches are now being made to our new Health and Wellbeing Centre – opening this spring – as the project moves into its final stage.
Scaffolding is coming down, utilities are being connected, and the internal fit-out is well underway. Over the next few months, work will focus on completing the building and transforming the surrounding area with new paths, parking, and improved connections to existing routes.
What you’ll notice on campus
If you’re around the Student Centre, you’ll see the area begin to change as external works progress. From Monday 24 November until March 2026, key activity includes:
- The hoarding around the site will be removed and replaced with temporary fencing.
- Contractors will continue to work Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, with Saturday work from 8am to 1pm.
- Old pavements and parts of the road will be removed to create new access routes. Some noise is expected, but we’ll monitor this closely and minimise disruption wherever possible.
Refectory Road: what to expect
Refectory Road will stay open, but there will be temporary adjustments while works take place:
- Vehicles: The road will narrow in certain sections and the speed limit will be reduced to 10mph.
- Cyclists: A short stretch of the cycle lane near the Student Centre will close. Cyclists will need to dismount and walk through this area.
- Pedestrians: A diversion will be in place, directing pedestrians to the Student Centre side of the road via a fully step-free route.
- Buses: The Bramber House bus stop will stay open but will move slightly down the road.
Stay informed
If you have any questions about West Slope or the temporary changes to Refectory Road, please contact bettercampus@sussex.ac.uk.
We’ll be sharing more updates about the new Health and Wellbeing Centre as we get closer to opening – look out for announcements on the Staff Hub and Viva Engage.