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This update is for all non-finalist students. If you are a Postgraduate finalist, the award will remain open for submissions until the deadline of 1 August 2026.

You spoke, we listened: the Spirit of Sussex Award is getting a glow-up! 

The Spirit of Sussex Award (SoSA), which recognises the activities and experiences you take part in outside your studies, is moving to a new platform from September 2026. The new system will make it easier to record your activities and track your progress.

To enable us to make these changes, the current SoSA platform will close for all non-finalist students on Friday 7 August 2026. 

Act now to keep your information

Before the current platform closes, you should download a copy of any submissions you wish to keep by 7 August 2026. After this date, you will no longer be able to access your current SoSA submission.

Important: what happens to your current submission?

What happens next depends on your current award level:

• Gold Award holders: your award will be processed and you will receive information about collecting your certificate and pin badge.
• Bronze and Silver Award holders: your points and progress will be transferred to the new platform automatically. You can continue working towards higher award levels in the new system or keep your current award level.
• Students who have not yet reached an award level (fewer than 20 points): your current submission will not be transferred to the new platform. Any activities you have logged so far will be deleted when the current platform closes.

If you have not yet reached an award level and would like to continue working towards your award, you should download a copy of your existing submissions before 7 August 2026. Once the new platform launches, you will need to re-submit your activities and evidence in the new system.

We will provide guidance in September on how to do this. 

What are the changes?

Over the last year, we've worked with students and staff to improve the SoSA experience. The new platform will include:

• Fewer activity categories, making it easier to find where to log your co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
• Clearer examples of what can and cannot be submitted.
• A move from points to badges, helping you identify the types of activities you've completed and the skills you've developed.
• Earlier recognition of your achievements through physical pin badges and digital certificates while you're still studying.

⚠️ Not yet at Bronze Award level? If you have fewer than 20 points, your current submission will not be transferred to the new platform. Any activities you have already logged will be deleted when the current platform closes on 7 August 2026. Download your submission before this date if you wish to keep a record of it. You will need to re-submit your activities in the new SoSA platform when it launches in September.