Students’ life on Sussex campus during autumn term

The campus of the University of Sussex is spread over nearly 200 acres of land. On campus, there are academic blocks, library, students’ residences, sports complexes, shops, bars, bank, ATM, Post office, Dentist, Pharmacy, laundry and Security office. The total enrolment of students is around 10,000 including 3000 postgraduate students.  The University receives students from 120 countries and around 20% of the students are non-UK. The total number of staff is 2,200 including 550 teaching and 280 research faculty. The teaching faculty is from 50 countries.

The autumn term begins with fresher’s week. This was held from 25^th September to 1^st October 2010 and the actual academic term started from 4^th October 2010 to 10^th December 2010.

The academic activities including examinations were conducted as per the schedule announced on Study Direct of the University. Other activities like students’ union election, strike against fee hike, sports and annual general body meeting of students’ union did not affect the teaching. Throughout the autumn term, students were seen busy with studies, sports and other social activities.  Nearly 3500 first year students are accommodated on the University campus in seven residential houses viz. Swanborough, Brighthelm, East slope, Stanmer Court, Lewes court, Park houses and Park village. The Residential advisors are the second and third year students who live within the residences and have the responsibility for a group of first year students.

The library is open for 24 hours during the term days. The sports facilities are located at two sites-the Sport Centre and Falmer Sports Complex. The Sports  facilities  available to the staff and  students include  multipurpose sports halls, a fitness room, indoor cricket nets, squash courts, a dance and martial arts studio, a therapy room and a sports injury clinic, hard tennis courts, a floodlit artificial turf pitch (full-size for hockey and football), grass sport pitches (for cricket, football, rugby etc), and outdoor cricket nets. The students participate actively in sports including practice sessions. There is more than one team for hockey and football. Every Wednesday afternoon the University of Sussex plays with other university teams.

The John Smith Bookshop in the library which core texts and general interest books, cards, stationery, computer consumables and other related products. There are three shops viz. Martin McColl, Union News and Union Shop which sell wide range of products like snacks, sweets, drinks - including alcohol, cigarettes, discounted bus tickets, co-op food products, sandwiches/bagels, souvenirs, clothes, mobile-top ups, stationery, confectionery, doughnuts, news papers and magazines. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat & poultry, chilled & frozen meals are also sold from these shops.

The Union Store at York House is an on-campus supermarket. Alongside an impressive range of Co-operative groceries, including ready meals, pizzas and laundry powder,  a variety of local produce including fresh milk from the Sussex Downs, fruit and vegetables from a local farmer and handmade bagels from 'Bagelman' are available here.

There are two bars on the campus viz, East slope bar and Falmer bar. East Slope provides a delicious menu from noon till late. On the menu are mouth-watering sandwiches such as 'peppered roast beef', 'hummus and roasted sweet peppers' and 'grilled jerk chicken’, along with homemade burgers. With a huge range of drinks. The Falmer bar serves breakfast lunch/snacks/dinner menu with a huge range of dishes from panini's, to burgers, enchiladas, kedgeree, salads and curry. The students who live on the campus enjoy all different kind of food and drinks available on the campus.

The University takes students’ safety very seriously and security officers patrol the campus 24 hours. All security staff are qualified first aiders and can respond quickly to emergencies.