Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

Hello,

As we head into September, I want to express a very warm welcome to those of you who start early in the year, who are studying the PGCE and who are already on campus, or about to return or start.

For those of you who start back with us from Welcome Week at the end of September, as we look forward to the start of a new term, I hope you are feeling refreshed, and I look forward to welcoming you back to campus.

Something I recommend for everyone, before term starts, is to check that your vaccinations are up to date. These are free via your doctor (if in the UK) and help protect you and those around you from serious illnesses such as meningitis and measles. Being up to date with your vaccinations does not just provide protection to you, it can also help protect those in our community (and beyond), who due to health reasons cannot have vaccinations themselves. Thank you to everyone who has already had theirs. More information on vaccinations below.

We were proud to welcome Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and former Sussex student, to campus during the summer. At his visit to the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, he met with researchers and students to learn more about our work in quantum computing and photonics.

The visit was a powerful moment to showcase Sussex’s leadership in science and innovation, highlighting our world record-breaking advances in quantum sensing, our pioneering work towards building the world’s most powerful quantum computer, and the transformative impact our community is making internationally.

Please read on for your regular update, including:

Need housing? Apply for a university accommodation place

New gym to open in September

Help to protect yourself and others from illness

There are lots of Welcome Week events for returning students

Apply for the Career Lab Consultancy Programme

If you park on campus you must have a permit

UK Students – have you applied for your student loans?

Wellbeing and support during vacation

Sussex Snapshot

Need housing? Apply for a place in university accommodation
If you have not secured your accommodation for September yet, there are still a limited number of University accommodation places available for returning students. Living on campus offers great value and convenience. Bills, insurance and Wi-Fi are all included, we have 24/7 security, helpful porters, and no travel costs to get to lectures. With hundreds of returning students already choosing to live on campus, it is a really popular option. Spaces are limited, so be quick and join the waiting list.

New gym to open in September
The main campus gym is moving from Falmer Sports Complex at the top of campus, to a new home at the Sports Centre near Falmer House.

This multipurpose space will be equipped with Life Fitness equipment, including treadmills, resistance machines, and free weights – everything you would expect from a modern, high-quality gym.

Read more about the new gym and Arches Studio.

Help to protect yourself and others from illness
Before you arrive at Sussex, please make sure you have had all your free NHS vaccines. They can help protect you from serious illnesses like meningitis, measles, and more. Find out how you can protect yourself and others.

Applications opening soon for Career Lab Winter Student Consultancy Programme

Gain real-world consultancy experience this autumn by working on a live project with an external organisation, focusing on areas such as business, community or sustainability. Open to final-year undergraduates and taught postgraduates, the programme runs part-time over four weeks (27 Oct–21 Nov) and includes a bursary paid at the UK Living Wage. Apply from Monday 1–28 September. Career Lab is open to all Sussex taught students. Find out more about the opportunities available to you.

UK students – have you applied for your student loans?

Before you return to Sussex this autumn, do not forget to reapply for your student finance. It is quick to do online and helps cover tuition fees, living costs, and more. Apply now via GOV.UK and make sure your funding is in place before term starts at GOV.UK. You can also track your application and find further details. Comprehensive information and advice on money and finance for all students is available on the Student Hub.

Access Wellbeing information and support during the break

Wellbeing support does not stop when term ends. Whether you are on campus or away, help is still available throughout the vacation. Sussex students have free access to Togetherall, a safe, anonymous online community where you can connect with others, share what you are experiencing, and access practical mental health tools, any time, day or night. You can also find a full list of wellbeing services, resources, and guidance on the Student Hub, including support for mental health, safety, and staying well over the break.

All the best,

Kate

Professor Kate O'Riordan

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)

Sussex Snapshot

A seagull on Brighton seafront.