Thinking creatively, diversifying teaching and challenging the mind, these are the main elements of education in University of Sussex, an institution founded in 1960 in the coastal city of Brighton, England.
Sussex excels in its academic research, as ranked 2017 by QS World and the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with over 90% of its research activities categorized as world-leading or internationally outstanding in terms of originality, significance and rigor, confirming its position among the top 30 universities for research in the UK.
Attracting students from more than 100 countries, the university has focused its academic activities internationally since its foundation, with partnerships with institutions around the world, such as Peking University (Beijing), National Taiwan University (Taiwan) and Harvard University (USA). ).
According to the QS World Rankings, Sussex is ranked, for the third time, as the number one in the world in Development Studies, being ahead of other century-old institutions, such as Harvard and Oxford.
The university has 15,000 students – one third of which are graduate students – and three Nobel Prize winners, 12 members of the British Academy, one Crafoord Prize winner and the newly elected president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada.
The university's teaching excellence also calls for outstanding students, but the selection goes far beyond that. According to Luis Ananguren, Senior International Officer of Sussex, “the university is looking for students who are critical, thoughtful, creative and courageous”.
Ananguren also states that he perceives in the personal statements of Brazilian candidates a certain shyness, which can cost a place in the course. “Don't be humble! Talk about what makes you unique and don't be afraid to show your passions and experiences,” he explains.
Currently with 29 Brazilians making up the Sussex student community, the university is pursuing projects with Brazil in the areas of development, politics and innovation, following excellence in partnerships with other institutions around the world.
“Our goal is to deliver current research-based teaching and learning programs that appeal to students from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in order to develop life skills,” says the International Officer.
The University of Sussex also stands out for its departments of Business and Economics, Communication and Media, International Relations, Geography and Politics – all of which rank among the top 50 in the world in their respective fields, according to the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2018. .
The Sussex campus is also of great prominence, awarded for its architecture. Designed by Sir Basil Spence, the buildings received recognition as early as 1993. Falmer House is one of only two educational buildings in the UK to be Grade-I listed in recognition of its exceptional interest.
“The campus has one of the most beautiful locations in the UK, in one of the most exciting cities: Brighton,” says Ananguren. Brighton is considered a cultural center and was recently officially elected the Hipster Capital of the World, ahead of 446 other cities in 20 countries.
