International Study Centre

Leisure time on campus

Although you will study hard at the University, there will also be plenty of opportunity for you to enjoy yourself and relax. In addition to the variety of entertainment and sports facilities offered in Brighton, there is a wide range of on-campus activities to fill your spare time.

The Students' Union
The University of Sussex Students' Union (USSU) is the focus of many student activities. It organises entertainment and social events and runs shops and bars on campus. It also provides welfare advice. Membership of the Union is free and automatic. The Union officers, who are students elected each year, make sure that there is student representation throughout the University community so that your views are heard.

Entertainment events

USSU provides a range of entertainment on campus – comedy gigs, quizzes, live music nights, student-led DJ nights in the Hothouse (the campus nightclub) and an 'open mike' night at the East Slope Bar. Mandela Hall plays host to battle of the bands.

See a 360 degree panorama of the Students' Union facilities at the University of Sussex online tour.

Clubs and societies

The University of Sussex Students' Union also supports, and helps fund, a number of societies. Run entirely by students, these range from Amnesty International group to conservation, photography and rugby clubs. However you like to fill your spare time, there will be a club or society on campus for you. Societies are divided into the following areas: Academic, Art, Community Action, Cultural Identity, Drama, Music, Performance, Social Action, Special Interest, Spiritual & Religious.

Joining a society is a good way of getting to know people, particularly from outside your year and subject area. Many societies have a thriving social programme in addition to their main activities. You will have plenty of opportunities to find out more during the Students’ Union Freshers’ Festival held at the start of the autumn term. To explore the range of current activities available, see the USSU A-Z of societies.

International and Study Abroad Office events
A programme of special events on campus and trips around the UK for International Students is organised each term by the International and Study Abroad Office. See the current programme for a sample of activities on offer.