[swbp]

(Original post by Tsunami2011)
Whilst league tables are not too useful, Sussex is ranked in the top 20 of all rankings.(11,19,19) So how can you justify your claim that its not a top 20 university. Seems like you've got a personal disliking towards Sussex.

How can you determine whether Warwick or Durham are top 10 universities then?


I'm not a Sussex student or applicant so inb4 fanboy.

I like you alot.

[FireAndRain]

(Original post by Ilyas)
Wait... what? everyone who told you this was misguided. Sussex is not as amazing as you have been made to believe, it is very much average. And do NOT listen to any league tables. Any.

Misinformation, it's a plague.

I completely agree with you there. But if i'm entirely honest, I don't know why people are getting so annoyed! I was hardly rude, just matter-of-fact, and besides it's just my opinion! Being referred to as a snob is just ridiculous! I'm quite liberal- not right-wing- just not completely over the top- this is just silly! And there was someone injecting in the park! And as for the seating- you people seem very lapse about facilities! Sorry that I care where I'm gonna be sitting for the next 3 years- not a snob, just practical.
Again, Brighton is okay- it's fine (these words are not gospel, no need to take offence) it's my OPINION. But Sussex Uni was by no means aesthetically pleasing, it sort of reminded me of a car park. But hey, each to their own.

And in regards to the "free" drinks I was expecting. I completely stand by that. It's a university, even if it is student run, students ripping off students?! Well thats not liberal at all now is it? It just seemed tight that they couldn't have provided us with some sort of drinks- even if it was just some cheapy squash.
The only reason I wanted to make my point was entirely because of the misinformation! I'm hardly a snob if I WANTED to go there for my insurance?

[FireAndRain]

(Original post by swbp)
I wont slam you for this, because you're entitled to an opinion, but here are a few reasons why I think otherwise:

- Sussex is top 20 in every league table this year, which is quite a feat when you consider that even Bristol and Nottingham can't say that.
- It's also made the top 100 in the world this year. You don't exactly fluke your way to that position.
- Research from every department has been classed as internatioanlly excellent, and the ecclectic mix of young/mature lecturers makes for a well rounded learning experience.
- Satisfaction rates are among the highest in the nation, suggesting that academic staff put students as high a priority as their own research.
- Links with aborad are some of the best in the nation. You can even study in the Ivy league if you wish to.
- The university has the only campus in the UK situated in a national park, yet it's just 8 minutes by train to the center of one of England's most vibrant/exciting cities.
- Buses run from campus every 5 minutes untill the early hours of the morning, and London is a mere 50 minutes by train.
- it's a friendly, open mided place where eveyone is accepted for who they are.

In short, what more could you want from a university?

Thank you for your point. I think some of the points you've said are very good. I'm pleased that it's right for you, and everyone else for that matter. (genuinely) It just wasn't for me and I was annoyed that it wasn't to be honest because I really really wanted it to be!! I know about the league tables, and the reputation and everything else, and it does sound good! I WANTED to go, I really did, a lot of my friends go there too. But honestly guys, don't take offence, this tsr site is plauged with so much rubbish that I believe the only thing which really needs to be taken into account is how we feel in ourselves about a Uni. It can't be suited to everyone.

[willbee]

re-apply next year? to unis you actually want to go to?

different unis offer different things to different people. I think it's incredibly stupid to apply to uni without visiting and then complain you don't like it afterwards and try to put the blame on other people, and tbh, with that attitude and that level of intellect, I'm surprised that you even got offers.

Just Re-read this and it sounds pretty harsh, but I had really high hopes for Exeter until I got there and I hated it. But that was wayyyy before the UCAS deadline and I just don't have much respect for people who don't make the effort to see a uni before they apply and complain about it afterwards.

As for student guides, they're first year volunteers usually who haven't had that long to get to know the place and probably don't need to use half the buildings anyway. And as for someone injecting in the park: drugs are everywhere, I expect there are lots of drugs where you live, you just don't know / notice. Even in Oxford and Cambridge there will be a high level of drug-taking. Maybe more than usual considering there'll probably be more rich kids who can afford that sort of thing. And I think you mentioned tramps too. Well, you'll be glad to know that homeless people don't really live there. In fact, they don't live anywhere, it's sort of the definition of being homeless.

[FireAndRain]

(Original post by willbee)
re-apply next year? to unis you actually want to go to?

different unis offer different things to different people. I think it's incredibly stupid to apply to uni without visiting and then complain you don't like it afterwards and try to put the blame on other people, and tbh, with that attitude and that level of intellect, I'm surprised that you even got offers.

Just Re-read this and it sounds pretty harsh, but I had really high hopes for Exeter until I got there and I hated it. But that was wayyyy before the UCAS deadline and I just don't have much respect for people who don't make the effort to see a uni before they apply and complain about it afterwards.

As for student guides, they're first year volunteers usually who haven't had that long to get to know the place and probably don't need to use half the buildings anyway. And as for someone injecting in the park: drugs are everywhere, I expect there are lots of drugs where you live, you just don't know / notice. Even in Oxford and Cambridge there will be a high level of drug-taking. Maybe more than usual considering there'll probably be more rich kids who can afford that sort of thing. And I think you mentioned tramps too. Well, you'll be glad to know that homeless people don't really live there. In fact, they don't live anywhere, it's sort of the definition of being homeless.

And WHO EXACTLY are you to be appointing who's stupid and who isn't?? It would be incredibly stupid, perhaps, if I had made it my FIRM, but I haven't. But even then, surely thats a bit over the top!!! You are entirely ignorant to believe other people to be stupid just because they hadn't the time to visit somewhere until now. It's actually people like you that give places a bad name! My level of intellect has nothing to do with this issue. Oh my goodness, who is this person?! Clearly your level of intellect isn't as high as you assume it to be if you can be so audacious to assume the worst in people!! Why is Oxford and Cambridge always COMING UP! I didn't even APPLY! Its not that I have a problem with drugs, or that I am ignorant to believe most places don't have them! Just some towns are more accepting of them than others! "Drugs are everywhere" is true, but some choose not to have it on their doorstep.

Now I don't know who you are, but you are not very nice at all.

[StacFace]

I think the problem here is that you relied on the opinion of others to make your choices rather than properly looking into them yourself. I'm not blaming you but just pointing out that different people will have different opinions on universities for different reasons and whilst finding out these opinions can be useful you need to do your own research too, including visiting the places before making your choices.

I'm not sure why you made your choices and then visited, as if you received all your decisions by 31st March you would have had until 9th May to reply, which is about 2 weeks away yet, and if you heard from them later you'd have until June. If you hadn't replied I would have suggested looking at your other offers to pick out another potential insurance and going to look there to see if you like it better. However since you have I would suggest deciding if you would still be happy to go there if you didn't meet your firm offer, bearing in mind if you go through clearing you probably won't have time to visit before confirming the offer so may end up somewhere worse.

[SussexJo]

(Original post by JustAnotherCliche)
All the coffee shops are owned by the students union so they've got a monopoly over the campus and yeah the prices aren't cheap, but that's basic supply and demand. You weren't forced to buy a cup of coffee it was your choice. All the proceeds from the union shops goes towards being used on the students, I really don't mind spending a bit extra for all the fantastic things the union does for us.

Hi there. Thanks for the compliments about the Students' Union but the coffee shops are actually run by the University's Catering Services. We run East Slope Bar and Falmer Bar

Jo

[willbee]

(Original post by FireAndRain)
And WHO EXACTLY are you to be appointing who's stupid and who isn't?? It would be incredibly stupid, perhaps, if I had made it my FIRM, but I haven't. But even then, surely thats a bit over the top!!! You are entirely ignorant to believe other people to be stupid just because they hadn't the time to visit somewhere until now. It's actually people like you that give places a bad name! My level of intellect has nothing to do with this issue. Oh my goodness, who is this person?! Clearly your level of intellect isn't as high as you assume it to be if you can be so audacious to assume the worst in people!! Why is Oxford and Cambridge always COMING UP! I didn't even APPLY! Its not that I have a problem with drugs, or that I am ignorant to believe most places don't have them! Just some towns are more accepting of them than others! "Drugs are everywhere" is true, but some choose not to have it on their doorstep.

Now I don't know who you are, but you are not very nice at all.

If you re-read your first post, you'll realise that you don't come across as very nice either. Hating on Sussex because there's too many tramps? Seems a bit harsh to me. You slagged off the entire university as well as all of those who "misled" you and encouraged you to go there.

I suppose it doesn't matter so much for you because the fees have gone up now anyway so if you don't get into your first choice then you can try clearing and take a year out if needs be.

It's people like me who give places a bad name?

You shouldn't judge a place on a few people who live there. You will meet people you don't like wherever you go. People like me. Druggies. Tramps.

Basically, you were ranting about how overrated Sussex Uni is just because you didn't like it and a lot of other people did. A lot of people like Aberystwyth too but that doesn't mean everyone will like it. E.g. we had a girl in freshers who dropped out early and complained that there are only 2 clubs in the town. Nobody had any sympathy cos she'd made this her insurance and she clearly hadn't researched it enough.

While I understand that you did do a lot of research, I'm dubious that there was NO WAY you could visit your insurance uni choice (which is what I think your original post says you made Sussex) because you're JUST TOO BUSY.

Oxbridge keeps coming up because of your snobbish attitude, and your attitude in your first post is snobbish, and if you can't see that then I feel very sorry for you.

And whatever uni you go to, there will be drugs. However, I think if you're going to a city uni there will almost definitely be more. That said, there'll still be a lot of people who don't like or do drugs, maybe you weren't fortunate enough to meet them. Aberystwyth, for example, doesn't have many drugs as it is a small town with a low crime rate and even if you want drugs, there isn't much of a supply here anyway. In fact I only know two people that regularly do weed here, which is very different to my home town.

I personally put a lot of effort into my UCAS application and I think visiting the unis you apply to is part of that. So I pity you and your situation, but I don't have much sympathy because it's your own fault and it just seems like you're throwing back all the (intended at least) advice and help people gave you in encouraging you apply for Sussex and I just hope they're not on TSR and you don't respond to them by blaming them for you choosing an insurance you didn't actually like.

I'm sure there are lots of hard-working people who love being at Sussex and would probably be annoyed by the things that you said about the uni because they don't really seem that bad: being charged for coffee, having a few lazy student guides (probably all first years who often get paid at most uni open days anyway so arent usually doing it from the good of their hearts in the first place), a couple of tramps and a druggie in the park.

Not only does it come across that you didn't put enough effort into your UCAS application to actually go and visit your insurance (which is important if you don't make you firm), but then you do blame other people for your choosing it like they have somehow wronged you for promoting a uni that they probably love.

You don't know who I am, but you're first post pissed me off because it seemed like a bunch of people had tried to help you and you'd been really rude in return.

I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh but I had a similar response from a friend I advised to visit Aberystwyth. In fact, she's gone so far as to decide we're not on speaking terms... Bearing in mind that most people do develop a sense of pride about their unis, you may understand why its not nice at all to have other people who have only visited for one day slag them off along with you for having advised the place and gone to study there.

[Emma~]

I don't want to get into a debate, but I just wanted to say that I did my first degree at Sussex and LOVED it! So much so that I stayed on for a post-grad, and continued living in Brighton for years afterwards (gosh, I am getting old!). My department got a Nobel prize whist I was there (or rather, Sir Harry Kroto did) and we all got champagne (free, I may add ).

I chose the place entirely on the course though, it had the perfect combination of possible topics for me, and I loved being able to do a year abroad. I also liked the international mix - at the time, it had the highest rate of international students in the UK. I would definitely go back there, but with a family I am restricted now and unable to move back to Brighton (not that I mind as I am very happy here too).

[FireAndRain]

......

[xfirekittyx]

(Original post by throwbacktothepast)
My first visit to Sussex (besides going there as a kid to drop my brother off when he joined the uni) was on Saturday. I literally had no expectations, as I was pretty sure I was going to choose Southampton and Reading as my final two. However, once I got there everything changed and I've now put it as my firm choice!

Firstly, the department (Psychology) and course was about a million times better than others I've applied to, in terms of content, enthusiasm and personality. Also, I thought the campus and facilities (especially the library) were great - fairly large, but not so that you'd have to spend half an hour trying to get somewhere (like Kent, for instance). The students we talked to were very polite and helpful, none of them got lost at all! (In fact, we got to see much more on our campus tour than at other places). The accomodation all seems very reasonably priced compared to other unis, and fairly decent (apart from East Slope, where my brother had the fortune to live!) I really don't know which lecture theatre you were in, but our seats were the most comfortable we'd sat in! (And we were in them for over 2 hours!)

As for Brighton, I've always loved it. Friendly, easygoing and fun atmosphere, where everybody can be themselves without someone judging them for it. Plus I love getting an ice cream, playing crazy golf and going on the penny slots on the pier The only thing I don't like is the seagulls, but you get some kind of crazy bird anywhere you go!

My advice would be not to put something as insurance without seeing it first (unless you only applied to two in the first place). If I'd made my decision earlier, then I'd have made a big mistake!

Hi I went to the Psychology visit day on Sat too. I really loved Sussex apart from one thing - I was really shocked by the poor quality of the speaking from the lecturers (minus the admissions tutor, he was awesome). I don't know if this was why, but I think over half the people must have left the taster lecture. The head of department seemed like very nice chap but I could have easily fallen asleep. I was thinking of choosing sussex over bristol because sussex is a campus uni but this is really bothering me. I'm really confused if I'm thinking about this disproportionately and that every uni will have good and bad lecturers? But why put bad lecturers on display at a visit day? What if these are the best What are your thoughts on this?

[throwbacktothepast]

(Original post by xfirekittyx)
Hi I went to the Psychology visit day on Sat too. I really loved Sussex apart from one thing - I was really shocked by the poor quality of the speaking from the lecturers (minus the admissions tutor, he was awesome). I don't know if this was why, but I think over half the people must have left the taster lecture. The head of department seemed like very nice chap but I could have easily fallen asleep. I was thinking of choosing sussex over bristol because sussex is a campus uni but this is really bothering me. I'm really confused if I'm thinking about this disproportionately and that every uni will have good and bad lecturers? But why put bad lecturers on display at a visit day? What if these are the best What are your thoughts on this?

Oh really? I thought they were the best out of every uni I'd seen! Haha yeah, the admissions tutor was hilarious, you could tell he puts a lot of emphasis on making learning enjoyable (something missing from staff at other unis). I thought the taster lecture was really interesting, did you stay for all of it? I felt really bad for the guy when people kept leaving half way through! He was funny too but in a more subtle way that perhaps people didn't understand? That's the only thing I could think of. I don't know about Bristol in comparison as I didn't visit or apply, but I do think that the staff were vast improvements on say, Exeter. Both at the open and the admissions day they had the same woman doing the talks and she was horrendously dull (despite what my brother's girlfriend, who studied there, said otherwise about her being an 'engaging lecturer'). I can understand why you might have been a bit put-off, but personally I think they chose really great members of staff to represent the department, and that was the main reason why I chose it as my firm.

[xfirekittyx]

(Original post by throwbacktothepast)
Oh really? I thought they were the best out of every uni I'd seen! Haha yeah, the admissions tutor was hilarious, you could tell he puts a lot of emphasis on making learning enjoyable (something missing from staff at other unis). I thought the taster lecture was really interesting, did you stay for all of it? I felt really bad for the guy when people kept leaving half way through! He was funny too but in a more subtle way that perhaps people didn't understand? That's the only thing I could think of. I don't know about Bristol in comparison as I didn't visit or apply, but I do think that the staff were vast improvements on say, Exeter. Both at the open and the admissions day they had the same woman doing the talks and she was horrendously dull (despite what my brother's girlfriend, who studied there, said otherwise about her being an 'engaging lecturer'). I can understand why you might have been a bit put-off, but personally I think they chose really great members of staff to represent the department, and that was the main reason why I chose it as my firm.

Haha! Oh my we seem to have quite a difference in opinion but then again... I thought the gulls were really cute! Oh definetely! I wasn't looking forward to Stats but he made me feel like they'd be really enjoyable lectures. I stayed the whole way through, I take it you did too? I know I thought it was really rude to leave! I thought I got his humour, I think he was quite self deprecating? So it was funny but his voice was just soooo monotonous. But maybe that's a drama enthusiast thing, maybe most people don't notice lack of voice variation I found it interesting too, I think Sussex is the only uni (well out of all the ones I looked at/applied for anyway) that have optional modules on animal behaviour? I can't really fault their huge module choice! Bit worried that having such a big department would mean you'd be faceless to a lecturer though? There are only 80 students in my entire sixth form, 250 a year is like to me. What did you think of the size? Woah I can't imagine how bad that women must be! Tbf the guy who gave our taster lecture at Bristol, does 'The Royal Instituation Lectures' which are shown on the BBC so he's probabaly the creme de le creme of amazing lecturing Did you happen to get any indication how likely it was that they'd let us in if we missed a grade or say got A*BB instead of AAB?

[MagicNMedicine]

Sussex is what it is...its a nice uni with a chilled out atmosphere in a vibrant and 'alternative' city. It's not a particularly well funded uni so the facilities whilst adequate are not exactly gold standard. It scores well in recent years on university league tables (which I always think are flawed anyway) because it tends to get good student satisfaction feedback and also for a relatively small and non-big name uni their research gets cited a lot compared to other unis which suggests they are doing research in relevant issues rather than ivory tower academics studying obscure topics. I work for government and we use Sussex research quite often in my bit, so I think it's a decent uni and well respected at a professional level.

People wanting to go into investment banking etc probably will find LSE more up their street where everyone is likeminded, super competitive, wanting money etc, Sussex is probably more of a laid back place for people into more ethical stuff, charities, international development, teaching, healthcare, travelling etc.

[throwbacktothepast]

(Original post by xfirekittyx)
Haha! Oh my we seem to have quite a difference in opinion but then again... I thought the gulls were really cute! Oh definetely! I wasn't looking forward to Stats but he made me feel like they'd be really enjoyable lectures. I stayed the whole way through, I take it you did too? I know I thought it was really rude to leave! I thought I got his humour, I think he was quite self deprecating? So it was funny but his voice was just soooo monotonous. But maybe that's a drama enthusiast thing, maybe most people don't notice lack of voice variation I found it interesting too, I think Sussex is the only uni (well out of all the ones I looked at/applied for anyway) that have optional modules on animal behaviour? I can't really fault their huge module choice! Bit worried that having such a big department would mean you'd be faceless to a lecturer though? There are only 80 students in my entire sixth form, 250 a year is like to me. What did you think of the size? Woah I can't imagine how bad that women must be! Tbf the guy who gave our taster lecture at Bristol, does 'The Royal Instituation Lectures' which are shown on the BBC so he's probabaly the creme de le creme of amazing lecturing Did you happen to get any indication how likely it was that they'd let us in if we missed a grade or say got A*BB instead of AAB?

Haha oh god the gulls are my least favourite thing, my brother was not joking when he said they were the size of small dogs! I won't be eating chips outside if I can help it Yeah that was one of the best things, my psych teacher at the moment is completely useless at stats (one of the reasons I'm having to retake that paper) so any way of making that easier to learn is great for me! Of course, I wouldn't have left even if it was boring (cos I just think it's so rude to do that while people are talking to you like that). Haha yeah but I think that's part of his accent, he probably can't really help talking that way (I get what you mean though). I think Exeter might be the only other one I looked at that had animal behaviour, although I could be wrong (very few unis have it anyway). Their module choice looked AMAZING, particularly for someone like me who's interested in developmental psych! I'm not worried about that, because you'd have your tutor person who's responsible for your well-being etc. Also some lecturers will do seminars which are smaller groups of students, and when you do your research project that'll be one-on-one pretty much. Oh, and you'll know them more when you assist with research etc. Wow, really?! There's 4000 students at my college, with 2000 in my year, 250 is like nothing to me! (That's how many were in my year at secondary school). Oh seriously, Exeter and Kent had really poor choice of lecturers, for unis that are supposed to be top in psych they really didn't show it! Aww he sounds amazing! Ooh I'm not sure, but I think they consider things before rejecting you. I reckon they'd probably accept you if you got A* in Psych and Bs in other subjects (assuming you're doing Psych?)

[Negaduck]

(Original post by FireAndRain)
I went to an open day expecting really great things (after everything I heard on tsr, friends, the internet, Uni Guides,) and was so utterly disappointed with the Uni, and for that matter, Brighton too. I've already made it my insurance too! Can someone please tell me what makes it such a great place? In my opinion, the so-called 'liberal' ethic of the Uni was just a big fat scam- a way to haul in the hippy students. If the Uni is so 'liberal' why was my family expected to pay top whack prices for shoddy cups of coffee?! Surely open days are expected to provide hot drinks after 4 hours of driving!! Utter rip off. Also, what is it so highly ranked?! The student reps were sat back chatting and had no idea where anything was! And in regards to those lecture rooms- my goodness- surely with the 9 grand a year I'm expected to pay, they could have provided comfortable seating! I mean it's a Uni for god sake but they seem more concerned with making money than providing decent seating and tables for students.

Brighton as a place okay-ish. But was surprised at how many tramps and druggies there were in the parks and streets. It was strange; like, there was some lovely streets and cafes, but then from one street into the next the transition was like huge! Brighton was okay but nothing spectacular, yet everyone always says how AMAZING it is, and I started to believe everyone. Perhaps you can tell me what i've got so wrong?

Another case of someone assuming their opinion is fact and everyone else must be wrong. I spent 2 days in Cambridge for an interview and a went to an open day at St Andrews but I preferred my day at Sussex- I even chose it as my firm despite the fact that I could go to Queen's University Belfast for only £3500 per year, do you have the nerve to label me a moron or can you accept that people have differeing world views and we don't all share the same likes/ dislikes. The fact that you chose your firm and insurance even though you were visiting them in the near future speaks volumes. Not to mention the highlight of your visit being slightly uncomfortable chairs- Sussex very recently completely renovated their Library but I guess chairs would be a far more useful way to spend your money. Also, you do realise that Universities are actually worse off now charging £9000 than when they charged around £3000 as their Government funding has completely disappeared yet they have to provide increasingly generous funding schemes. Bleh, the ignorance.

[justn1c2]

Regarding the comment in that big argument to start with, when i went to the Biochemistry open day a few weeks ago, they offered free Tea and Coffee :P

Ide also like to say that i didn't notice anything wrong with the seats, but that's mainly cause i was more focused on what the lectures were saying about my course to notice the seats. They were very friendly and made the topics very interesting. I also got to chat to one of the lecturers personally and she was so lovely we chatted for about 30 minutes! About her research, what the university is like and what i would like to do, she even gave me great advise about how i should go about reaching my goals. I also met a few students, some didn't seem that interested to be honest, but the ones i got to catch to were very friendly. I'm usually shy and find it hard to chat to strangers, but i was very comfortable talking to them.
Lastly i want to point out the Sussex is a fairly small university but still ranks with a lot of other larger universities that get a lot more funding so Sussex must be doing something right.

For all those reasons and more, i made Sussex my firm for Biochemistry!

[umop apisdn]

OP, it's fine that you don't like Sussex, we all have our own tastes and expectations. I recently went to Nottingham (the city) after hearing how amazing it is there, how there's so much to do, but I struggled.

We all like what we like, but you have to think to yourself: can I imagine myself here for 3 years?

If you can't, that's OK! Although you must look beyond trivial details, such as paying for coffee. Think instead about the content of your course. Can you imagine walking from your lecture hall back to your halls of residence, chilling out in the kitchen with your flatmates? Can you see yourself taking your washing to the laundrette and popping on a bus to Brighton? Would you like to do your revision whilst looking out to sea, or even in a building shaped as a giant open book?


Either way, YOU have to decide what YOU want from your university experience. Go to as many open days as possible. I ended up somewhere I hate and it's made uni a chore.

[sugar3str]

(Original post by medusacascade0)
- Nice accommodation (besides east slope, but...)
.

how dare you badmouth the slope!

[jimbo lad]

OP - sort of asking for trouble, when you come to the section made for people who go to Sussex, and bad mouth it?