Finding the right place to study, collaborate or simply recharge your brain is an important part of student life at Sussex. Whether you are preparing for a big assignment, reading quietly between lectures or catching up with classmates, the University offers a wide variety of spaces across campus suited to your needs.
Bookable study rooms in the Library
If you prefer a focused environment, the Library has a number of bookable study rooms. These include ten group study rooms on the first floor, three accessible study rooms on the ground floor, and two height-adjustable desks. They are ideal for collaborative work or concentrated reading sessions.
Drop-in and open study zones
If you are looking for somewhere you can just turn up and work, several locations around campus provide open access spaces without needing a booking. For example:
- Arts A (ground floor) outside the MAH School office; Arts B (room B144 and level 2 foyer social space); and Arts C (Global Studies Resource Centre)
- Silverstone (ground floor SB112 and level 3 social space)
- Foyers and common rooms near the Meeting House, Pevensey I and Shawcross buildings
- Near East Slope: the foyer of Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Freeman common room, and John Maynard Smith building’s Robert Whittle social space
- Around Bramber House: the second-floor foyer, York House, and the ground floor of the Student Centre
You can find a full list of study spaces and locations on the Study spaces page.
Social and refresh spaces
Studying hard also means taking breaks. You might head to the Meeting House, Falmer House common room, Arts B kitchen on level 2, or sit out by the pond benches near Arts A.
Food, drink and warming facilities
For those moments when you need a hot drink, microwave or somewhere to gather your things, the campus offers:
- Microwaves, hot-water taps and “Heat and Eat” areas in Arts C (Global Studies kitchen, level 3), Falmer House USSU common room (second floor), the Library atrium, and the Meeting House shared kitchen.
- Cold drinks and snacks available in vending machines and cafés across campus.
Find out more about these facilities on the Study spaces page.
The Student Centre – flexible, comfortable and tech-friendly
At the heart of campus is the Student Centre: a hub designed for study, collaboration and relaxation. Facilities include flexible spaces for group work, dedicated rooms for confidential meetings and advice sessions, and bookable study rooms on weekday evenings.
Technology is built in, with laptop and phone charging points, screens for sharing your work, and a small bank of PCs for student use. Accessibility features include lifts, accessible toilets and a changing-place facility.
For food and drink, the Student Centre has an Atrium Market for snacks and sandwiches, plus three microwaves, a boiling-water tap and vending machines in the Heat and Eat area.
Tips for making the most of these spaces
- For quiet reading, book a room in the Library or head to less busy open spaces like John Maynard Smith.
- For teamwork or discussion, use the open social zones and Student Centre collaboration areas.
- If you are working late or outside standard hours, check the Student Centre’s evening booking availability.
- Remember that food and hot drinks are only allowed in designated areas to help preserve study zones for everyone.
- Use the campus map to find all available spaces and choose one that fits your study style.