News from the ISC and beyond
Read the latest news stories from the University of Sussex:
New accommodation for January 2011
December 2010: Because of the high demand of on-campus accommodation, places for students starting their programmes in January were very low so we are very pleased to announce that we have secured off-campus accommodation placements in a newly refurbished student residence in Ovingdean, less than 4 miles from the University of Sussex, and less than 5 miles from the city centre of Brighton.
The accommodation is situated in the village of Ovingdean, amongst open fields with views of the sea. The main residence block offers light and spacious rooms. There is wireless internet access throughout the accommodation block.
There will be vending machines available selling snacks and necessary items, in addition to a small shop just on the edge of the grounds selling most essential items.
There are also a limited number of shared houses available sharing 2 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and utility area between 6 students. The houses are cleaned on a weekly basis. These placements will be offered as self-catered only.
For a full description and prices for all accommodation options offered at Ovingdean, read the Accommodation factsheet (.pdf, 53KB).
First day of term at Sussex
27 September 2010:The September term started today for our students at the International Study Centre at Sussex. It is a momentous event to see all these young people, who have travelled so far from home, on their first day at University. We feel very privileged to help and witness the transformation in the ISC students from this first day to the day they graduate and move on to their chosen degree. The ISC unlocks the potential of our international students by improving their English and teaching them how to succeed in the British education system.
In addressing the new cohort, both the Head of Centre Joanna Lee and the Director of Academic Programmes David Wilson stressed the importance of mixing with all students and not sticking with their national group, attending all classes but also developing independent study skills.
They also talked about the key principle of British higher education, which is to help students develop their own ideas. British Universities expect students to question the knowledge they are taught and debate about issues with their tutors.
Students were also introduced to link tutors who are a key figure in the transition of each student from the ISC to their degree.
Success of Sussex in the THE World University Rankings 2010
We are very excited about the recently published World University Rankings 2010 from the Times Higher Education (THE) as they place Sussex 8th in the UK, 16th in Europe and 79th in the world.
The Times Higher Education rankings are a prestigious international recognition which uses a rigorous methodology. It employs 13 performance indicators which are grouped into five headline categories:
- Teaching (the learning environment - 30% of overall score)
- Research (volume, and reputation - 30%)
- Citations (research influence - 32.5%)
- Industry income (2.5%)
- International mix (of both staff and students - 5%)
University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Farthing attributes the success of Sussex in recent years to major improvements in the student experience and a particularly strong research portfolio. The THE league table ranks Sussex 4th in the UK for the impact of its research as measured by its research citation counts.
Another important factor in the success of Sussex is its international mix: the University attracts staff and students to its campus from over 120 different countries across the world. Nearly a third of staff come from outside the UK.
Go to the THE website for full rankings
Summer 2010 graduation
Summer 2010 saw the first Sussex ISC students graduate from the University. The Centre opened to students in 2006 and after one year at the ISC and three in their degrees, they have successfully graduated from their degrees of choice, some with First Honours, like Behzad Farzipour: Behzad Sussex - ISC Graduate 2010The Times Good University Guide 2011 rates Sussex 21st in the UK
The University rose 14 places from 35th to 21st out of 113 UK universities.
Sussex scored particularly well in the categories for student satisfaction, good degree results and graduate prospects.
The news follows on from the publication of the Independent's Complete University Guide rankings, which placed Sussex in the top 20 universities - a rise of six places and is followed by the publication of the Guardian University Guide, which ranks Sussex 15th - three places above last year.
22 subjects at Sussex were in the top 30 in their respective areas: amongst them are
Anthropology (8th), Media and Film (13th), Psychology (13th), Biology (14th), Sociology (14th), Physics and Astronomy (15th), Politics (16th), Chemistry (16th), Business Studies (18th), History (20th), Law (24th), Mathematics (24th), Geography (24th), Mechanical Engineering (26th), Computer Studies (27th), Economics (29th).
Sussex scored particularly well in the categories for student satisfaction, good degree results and graduate prospects.
Media Theory and Practice degree show
University of Sussex’s BA in Media Theory and Practice students are now showcasing their work in their degree show, Beyond Practice.
Beyond Practice is being held in the Silverstone Building at the University of Sussex and is open to the public between 10am and 5pm from May 27th to June 2nd.
Exhibited in the show are works of digital media, screen drama, documentary video, photography and radio. You can read about all the work exhibited in Beyond Practice in this e-brochure.
Students studying the Media Studies Foundation at Sussex ISC can progress on to the BA in Media Theory and Practice on successful completion of the foundation programme. Read more information about the Media Studies Foundation here
New progression options for the Pre-Masters Programme from April 2010
From our April 2010 intake, we'll be able to prepare students for four new progression degrees offered by the University of Sussex School of Informatics:
- MSc in Information Technology for E-Commerce
- MSc in Intelligent Systems
- MSc in Multimedia Applications and Virtual Environments
- MSc in Human-Centred Computer Systems
To be able to progress onto these Masters degrees, students will have to take two additional modules. Find out more about the additional modules and the new progression options, go to the Pre-Masters Programme information pages
New Diploma in Business and Management
From September 2010 we are offering a Diploma in Business and Management. This is an intensive three-term programme for students with a good high school grades plus one year study. On successfull completion, students will be able to progress onto the second year of the following undergraduate degrees:
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BSc in Business (Finance)
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BSc in Business (International Business)
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BSc in Business (Marketing)
My view of England Photoblog competition
December 2009: Tutors Peter Ryley (English Language Preparation), Jennifer Wain (Pre-Masters), and Tom Ottway (Foundation) have asked students in their classes to keep photoblogs. Within this exercise they set up a competition for the best photo to represent the theme My view of England.
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In 1st place, Luyu, a Pre-Masters student
Shuttle between day and night
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In 1st place, Luyu, a Pre-Masters student
Quiet night
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In 1st place, Luyu, a Pre-Masters student
Quiet day
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In 2nd place, Sandra, a Foundation student
"The picture was taken on the Lewes Castle while I joined Lewes Rotary club event. Although it has already been almost three months since I started my new life in England, sometimes I still wonder if I am dreaming since it is too dreamlike to believe it is true just like the photo."
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In 2nd place, Sandra, a Foundation student
"I took the picture during the trip to Warwick Castle with the school tour. Living in the UK is a brand new life to me; I am just like a little girl expecting others help and guidance to grow up."
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In 2nd place, Sandra, a Foundation student
"England is just like the cake I ate on the first day I arrived in Brighton. From the appearance, one may only imagine how sweet it tastes; however, after eating it, people might find out there are different kinds of sweetness."
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In 3rd place, Xavier, an ELP student
"My first rainbow in the UK and also the first time in my life." -
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In 3rd place, Xavier, an ELP student
"They were my buddies in the UK."
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In 3rd place, Xavier, an ELP student
"Beauty on the left with a handsome very happy guy on the right. Do not misunderstand, she is my sister. "
Well done to all students progressing onto their degree of choice!
Friday 13 November 2009: The annual Awards ceremony took place in one of the Arts Lecture Halls on University of Sussex campus. In the presence of ISC teachers, University representatives and 2009-10 ISC students, Head of Centre Joanna Lee awarded certificates to all students progressing to their degree of choice. She insisted on how proud the students made her of their achievements, wished them well in their degrees and hoped they'd go back to visit her often at the ISC.
Prizes were awarded also to the best student in each pathway – for making the most progress, the most effort, or participating the most.
The awards went to:
Best Life Sciences student: Oladele Folorunsho
Best Law and Social Studies student: Lucille Briggs
Best Business & Management student Luiza Zugaib Destruti
Best Computing and Mathematics student James Rich
Best Engineering and Physics student Ahmed Kora
Best Media student Hoi Lun Law
Best Pre-Masters student Lin Shuang
Best ELP student Li Feng
After all students got their certificate, it was off to Falmer House for refreshments and the party.
Find more pictures of the event in our Photo gallery