Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her full message:

Hello,

I’m thrilled to share that Sussex has been voted top in the South East in two WhatUni Student Choice Awards categories, securing first place in the Student Life and International categories. This is a fantastic achievement made possible by your votes and testament to the vibrant and supportive community we have at Sussex.

Whilst it is the summer vacation for our undergraduates, Campus remains vibrant, with cafés, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities, such as the sports centre and the ACCA open for you to enjoy.

As we move through the summer months, there are plenty of opportunities to engage with academic and social activities, in addition to our student support services that are available in person at the Student Centre, and online via My Sussex.

Finally, June marks the start of Pride Month, and I encourage you to join me in celebrating and supporting our LGBTQI+ students and staff. We aim to be an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming space for everyone. You can find out about Brighton Pride and other community activities in future updates.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

• Sussex is top in the South East
• Win a week’s free lunches with our reverse vending machine
• Summer of Research is back
• Complete the Postgraduate survey and win a £150 graduation package!
• The University of Sussex Library offers free Ebooks!
• Finding your perfect study spot
• Socially Responsible Policy Review update
• Sussex Snapshot

Sussex wins first place in Whatuni Student Choice Awards

The University of Sussex has been awarded first place in two categories in this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs).
Sussex claimed top spot in both the International and Student Life categories, in the South-East region. We were also ranked third in the region in the Career Prospects, Postgraduate, and Student’s Union categories.

Win a week’s free lunches with our reverse vending machine

Students and staff can win a week’s free lunches for recycling in our new reverse vending machines.
We’ve introduced five new reverse vending machines across campus: you just feed them your empty plastic bottles and drinks cans to receive a ticket in return.
To enter our fortnightly prize draw, just take your tickets to the Students’ Union reception in Falmer House and put them in the prize box.

Win a week's free lunches with our new reverse vending machines : University of Sussex.

Summer of Research is back with free events

This June, the Summer of Research Festival returns from Monday 9 – Friday 20 June 2025. Alumni, local residents, and friends and family of students and staff are all warmly invited to join us for a selection of the fascinating, free events that showcase the exciting research happening here at Sussex. Find out about all the great events that are taking place.

There is still time to complete the Postgraduate Survey and win a £150 graduation package!

Thank you to the hundreds of you who have already completed the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES). We are always looking to make your time as postgraduate students at Sussex the best it can be and your responses to the PTES can help us to do that. As a thank you, students who take part by Friday 13 June will be offered the opportunity to opt into a prize draw, with five graduation packages worth £150 each on offer.
Find out more and take part in the survey.

The University of Sussex Library offers free Ebooks!

Students and staff at Sussex now have access to a brand new collection of Ebooks, alongside the existing selection of audiobooks. The new titles are intended to help you switch off and relax, so you won’t find textbooks, only reading for fun. Access is completely free, and Libby is easy to use and available 24/7. Browse the titles and find your summer read.

Finding your perfect study spot

If you’ve ever wanted to find the perfect spot for studying on campus, student Lou Bruce blogs about the different options, the benefits of studying with others and why sometimes getting out of the house and finding inspiration is best – whether that’s the quiet of the Library, the buzz of the Student Centre, or in your academic building. Read Lou’s blog.

Attend an engagement session on the Socially Responsible Investment Policy

As shared in February, a group made up of University Council members and senior leaders is currently reviewing and updating the University’s Socially Responsible Investment Policy.

The existing policy, originally approved in 2016-17, informs how the University invests its funds. Given changing global contexts and investment opportunities, it was agreed that a review would be carried out to ensure that the policy aligns with our institutional values and remains sector-leading.
We will be holding an engagement session on Wednesday 18 June from 3.30pm until 5pm. Find out how to register your attendance.

All the best,
Kate
Professor Kate O’Riordan
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students