Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her full message:
Hello,
Welcome back to the summer term.
This week we celebrated our brilliant community in the Sussex Awards. Thank you to those of you who nominated people who have made a difference to you. We received over 300 nominations from students, and students as well as staff were shortlisted for the awards. You can read about all the winners on the Student Hub.
Many of you will now be focused on assessments. I wanted to wish you all the best of luck and remind you about the revision and assessment support available on the Skills Hub. It can be helpful to study with or around others, so I encourage you to take advantage of a free breakfast from Sussex Food and head to the Student Centre or the Library (which is now open 24 hours) if doing so will help with your studies. The Students’ Union are also running a series of events to support your wellbeing during the assessment period from picnics to board games, find out more below.
Last month, the UK Supreme Court gave a judgement which determined that the definition of ‘sex’ within the meaning of the protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010 is biological sex. The implications of the ruling are not straightforward, and the University will await further guidance from Equality and Human Rights Commission. However, I recognise this will be very difficult for many people, especially trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students and staff. As indicated by the Vice-Chancellor in her recent statement for Trans Day of Visibility, we will continue to work for a supportive and inclusive environment on our campus for everyone. The University and the Student Union can provide support, from a space to talk, through to LGBTQ+ informed therapeutic and support services, and advice about other services and resources. We will not withdraw from our commitment to equality and inclusion in respect of all protected characteristics.
We have also seen heightened tension in India and Pakistan recently, and this may impact some of you in our community. We have been in direct contact with students and staff with resident addresses in the region to offer support if needed. If you are affected by these events, or any other issues, support is available for everyone – please do reach out to University support services via MySussex, the Student Centre, and the chaplaincy.
If these issues, or any others, have a direct impact on you during the assessment period, please do let us know by registering this via the Exceptional Circumstances process.
Please read on for your regular update, including:
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Master’s scholarships worth £3,000 exclusive to Sussex graduates
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Last chance to win one of ten Santander Brighter Future Grants of £1,000
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Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
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Students’ Union events during the assessment period
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Brighton Festival 2025
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Fantastic response from finalists to the National Student Survey
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Earn money by getting students active with these part time roles!
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Your voice makes a difference: module evaluations for finalists and postgraduates
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80 years of VE Day in the Keep
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Don’t miss £2 Venezuelan Arepas next week
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Sussex Snapshot
Masters scholarships worth £3,000 exclusive to Sussex graduates
If you’re thinking of staying at Sussex to study a Masters in September 2025, you could be eligible for a Sussex Alumni Scholarship worth £3,000.
Shape your world with a Masters. Find out more.
Last chance to win one of ten Santander Brighter Future Grants of £1,000
Brighter Futures Grants are back, giving you the chance to win one of 10 grants of £1,000 for Sussex students in partnership with Santander. Use the funds for anything that helps you focus on your studies, such as rent, bills, groceries, textbooks, or tech.
All students are eligible to enter, including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students. You don’t need to bank with Santander to participate.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
Next week, 12-18 May, is Mental Health Awareness Week. Find out what’s going on around campus and join SussexSport for a free class.
Students’ Union events during the assessment period
The Student’s Union is running a series of events to support your wellbeing during assessments:
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Board Games @ Room 76, Falmer House, 9 May 4-7pm: A chill Board Games Session! Relax, connect, and unwind. Snacks, games, and good vibes provided.
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Bring your own lunch @ ACCA Lawns, 14 May 12:30-2:30pm: Bring Your Own Lunch Picnic happening during Mental Health Awareness Week. It's the perfect chance to unwind, catch some fresh air, and connect with others. We’ll provide light snacks and chilled soft drinks, just bring your lunch
Mocktail Paint n Sip @ Room 76, Falmer House, 15 May 5-8pm: A mocktail paint and sip event where students will be able to paint on canvas and sip on mocktails to relax.
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Rounders @ ACCA Lawns, 16 May 3-5pm: A game of rounders to be held at ACCA Lawns where students will be able to take a break and relax.
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Bring your Own Lunch @ ACCA Lawns, 21 May 12:30-2:30pm.
Brighton Festival 2025
Whilst it is important to focus on your assessments, it is also important to take time away from your studies. The University is an official partner of Brighton Festival, with fantastic events running throughout this month. Monday’s edition of Experience Sussex! included a great run down of free events for you to check out.
Fantastic response from finalists to the National Student Survey
A huge thank you to the over 76% of finalists who completed the National Student Survey (NSS) this year. Your feedback is vital for helping us continue to improve what we offer here at Sussex and having such a large response rate makes the data especially valuable. Those of you who will graduate in future years will have the opportunity to complete the NSS in your final year, and I encourage you to do so, whilst postgraduate students can complete the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey right now.
Your voice makes a difference: module evaluations for finalists and postgraduates
If you are a final year undergraduate or a postgraduate taught student, you are now asked to complete a brief questionnaire about your experience of your modules this semester. These are really important for us to understand what is working well in your studies at Sussex and what changes might be needed. But we need a good level of response for this to work, so please do take just a few minutes to complete these.
We have made it easier to complete your MEQs this semester. You will get an e-mail with a link that will take you to the questionnaires for your modules and there will also be a link on your modules’ Canvas site. There is also no longer a need to identify your course/module, you just need to fill in the module questionnaires. The MEQs will be open until 20 May.
Earn money by getting students active with these part time roles
Sussexsport and ActiveUs are hiring part time student staff. Come and learn more at our drop in afternoon where you can find out more about the roles and ask questions. Wednesday 14th May 2-4pm at the Sport Centre. If you can’t make it, email l.o.terrill@sussex.ac.uk for an info pack.
Discover 80 years of VE Day in The Keep
2025 marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and the first VE (Victory in Europe) Day. Discover how the people of Brighton and Hove celebrated the end of the conflict through a series of inspiring talks from University of Sussex staff.
Join the free event at The Keep from 2pm-4pm on Friday 9 May to be taken back in time. The Keep, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, is only a short distance from Falmer campus. It promises to be a fascinating and entertaining event marking a pivotal moment in history.
Don’t miss £2 Venezuelan Arepas next week
Don’t miss your chance to try a dish from the Student Food Takeover. Visit Eat Central on Wednesday 14 - Thursday 15 May for some delicious Venezuelan arepas, available for only £2.
With best wishes,
Kate
Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)