One of the world’s leading teaching and research institutions, with a reputation for radical thought and innovation.

Founded fifty years ago, Sussex’s pioneering approach has redrawn the map of learning. Its interdisciplinary way of working encourages the exchange of ideas, addressing modern-day research challenges and embracing collaboration.

Sussex has over 12,000 students – including over 3,400 postgraduates – and with students and staff from over 100 countries, we have a strong international perspective. Our world-renowned academic staff work at the cutting edge of their fields of expertise across the arts, science and social sciences and so far Sussex has counted 3 Nobel Prize winners, 14 Fellows of the Royal Society, 6 Fellows of the British Academy and a winner of the prestigious Crafoord Prize.

Innovative research and scholarship

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, over 90 per cent of Sussex’s research activity was rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised, confirming the University among the leading 30 research universities in the UK. Sussex hosts the Genome Damage and Stability Centre (GDSC), a world-leading research centre investigating the responses of cells to genome damage and their relationship to cancer and other aspects of human disease, which achieved the highest scoring in its review by the Medical Research Council.

As part of a major new strategic investment within the School of Life Sciences we have established a translational Drug Discovery Group comprising medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology laboratories. The group aims to deliver drug candidates for evaluation in clinical trials by synthesising and characterising compounds with biological activity against molecular targets in indications such as cancer, neurodegenerative & psychiatric disease and infectious/tropical disease. It has initiated several early drug discovery programmes in collaboration with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and the Royal Sussex and Brighton Hospital.

 At Sussex we recognise the importance of supporting research through collaboration. We have important partnerships, including American Express and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and a range of cutting-edge facilities. Our six research themes build on our underlying research strengths to support interdisciplinary investigation into complex research challenges.

Our rankings

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011 Sussex is ranked 12th in the UK, 31st in Europe and 99th in the world, setting us alongside some of the world's most prestigious institutions. Sussex is currently one of only 15 UK universities to be listed in the top 20 of all four of the main league tables.

Business, government and the third sector

Sussex has a long tradition of engaging with business, government and the third sector. Our goal is to stimulate innovation through partnership with other organisations to benefit the wider society. The wide range of research undertaken at Sussex continually increases the portfolio of intellectual property we develop and can offer to organisations through collaborative arrangements, licensing or the creation of spin-out companies. Examples of our research that is leading to innovation and practical benefits include electric potential sensors, analysis of medical images, understanding of international trade agreements, and influence of government policy.

Sussex Innovation Centre

The Sussex Innovation Centre is a business incubation centre that provides support for the creation and growth of technology- and knowledge-based companies in Sussex. Based on the University campus, the Centre provides excellent facilities and a thriving business environment for over 70 high-growth companies primarily in the IT, biotech, media and engineering sectors. Since its formation in 1996 over 160 companies have been based at the Centre and their cumulative revenue is now over £250 million and the companies currently employ several hundred people in the local region. The Centre supports the operation of the University’s Enterprise Development Fund, which provides a means of supporting the pipeline of commercial ideas arising from our research into practical application.

For more information on research, investment or collaboration please contact the University’s Research & Enterprise Services team.