Introduction:
Located on the southern coast of England and renowned as one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions, Brighton is a lively, colorful, cosmopolitan city featuring excellent night life, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and recreational facilities. Brighton is less than an hour away from London by train. The University of Sussex's location makes it ideal for students wanting proximity to London without the expenses of big- city life. Brighton itself has one of the youngest per capita populations in the UK and boasts a vibrant arts and entertainment scene in addition to coastal locale.

Founded in 1961, the University of Sussex has become one of England’s leading teaching and research institutions. Its 12,000 students have access to a choice of more than 1,000 courses in a wide range of academic areas. It is the only university in England which is entirely located in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.



Education System:
The academic system in the U.K. is quite different from that of the United States but like the U.S. system, remember that teaching and assessment methods may vary from course to course. Generally, you will find that you have fewer “contact” hours - time spent in class - in your courses at Sussex than you normally do here. You will find that you are left with a significant amount of time during the day and also in the evening when you do not have to attend classes, but no clear indication of how this time must be spent. This does not mean that your course load is lighter; rather, you are expected to spend more time in self-directed study preparing for classes, papers, and examinations. To succeed in your studies, you will have to develop a work routine where this “free time” is used productively.

At the University of Sussex, Study Abroad students will learn in a series of seminars and lectures and will be expected to: attend all classes scheduled in their timetable; carry out lab work (if taking a science module); attend workshops; and undertake independent learning, such as reading, preparing for classes or writing assignments. Each module (course) requires approximately 150 hours of work and this will consist of contact time and independent study.

Students attending for a semester should take 60 credits (equivalent to15 UM credits).

Grading System and Credit Conversion:
 

Sussex Mark	UM Grade
70-100	A
65-69	A-
60-64	B+
50-59	B
45-49	C+
40-44	C
0-39	F

Credit conversion: Sussex credits divided by four = UM credits

Academic Areas:
Humanities
Life Sciences
Science and Technology
Social Sciences
International Studies

Prerequisites:
Minimum 3.0 GPA. This program is limited to three exchange places per year.

Room and Board:
Limited on and off campus housing with single or double rooms is available to students. All accommodations are self-catering with shared kitchens. Students may also be placed with host families.

Most rooms are designed for one person, but there are some shared rooms. All Sussex accommodation is self-catering, with cooking facilities in communal kitchens. If you prefer not to cook, you can buy anything from a sandwich to a three-course meal on campus, all at reasonable prices. Each room on campus has a telephone, with facilities for voicemail and direct dialing. Facilities on campus include grocery shops and catering outlets, a launderette, a newsagent and a post office. Most residences have a live-in Residential Adviser - an established Sussex student who will help you when you arrive and can assist with minor problems that may occur during your first year.

You are a Guest:
As an exchange student, you will have the opportunity to experience university life in a completely different way. For example, you might find that courses abroad are not equal to three UM credits. The format of assessment might be different, with great emphasis being placed on one big test versus smaller assignments throughout the semester. The amount of time spent in class can vary greatly from country to country as well as the amount of independent learning that is expected. Exchange students are guests of the host university and will not receive any services that the local, degree-seeking students do not receive. The university abroad may not provide the same amenities as the University of Miami and the level of customer service can vary.

Exchange programs open the door for students to have the experience of a university student in a different country. It is important to talk to your study abroad advisor about your level of comfort with the challenges that await you abroad. Your advisor may be able to suggest an exchange program that offers more of the services to which you have become accustomed, or can direct you to a semester on location program. Students who have chosen to embark on an exchange program have reported that by overcoming obstacles encountered abroad, they have gained independence and self-confidence, and were challenged to broaden their perspectives.

Dates:
Fall: Late September to mid-December
Spring: Early January to late June

Student Testimonial:

I had a great time at Sussex! Of course, it was rainy and cold when I arrived in January, but by early March, flowers started blooming around campus. Campus is right next to a national park, and part of a nature preserve; I enjoyed seeing the wildlife as we got into spring, hiking the beautiful trails through the hilly countryside.  I think my favorite place on campus would be the Meeting House, which is a church on campus. It's a round building with colored windows all around, which on a sunny day makes the light come through multicolored and it shines all over the room, it's really gorgeous.  As far housing goes, I had my own room, and lived with five “flatmates” who also had their own rooms in the apartment, and we shared two bathrooms, a kitchen and an eating area.  It was more than enough space.

Exploring the city of Brighton, which is 30 minutes away by bus, is a lot of fun. My favorite places are the Royal Pavilion and Preston Park. The Lanes and the North Laine are both really cute and old shopping areas that also have good cafes and pubs. The beach and the Brighton Pier are really fun as well, especially when the weather gets a little warmer.
                                                                                 - Christina Green