University of Sussex
Brighton
Sussex vs Surrey (Physics MPhys)
Hi (first post, please don't slaughter me),
I have been to applicant days at both uni's and I love them both.
What I love about Sussex:
What I love about Surrey:
It seems Surrey has the academic edge but Sussex has the social edge, any opinions on this? (However http://universities.findthebest.co.uk/ suggested there is a higher percentage of people getting a 2:1 or higher at Sussex rather than Surrey)
Sussex also seems more focused on research after your degree rather than a job. However Surrey equally focused on further research and getting a job in industry. (Again, any opinions on this?)
What makes it interesting is that Sussex gave me an unconditional offer (if I put them as my firm) however Surrey hasn't given me an unconditional offer.
(Will cross-post to Surrey's sub-forum and then bring some of their opinions back)
Would really appreciate your thoughts/experiences (even if you haven't been to both of them). Thanks in advance!
I have been to applicant days at both uni's and I love them both.
What I love about Sussex:
•
The attitude of all the students and staff, everyone seems extremely happy and enthusiastic
•
Campus seemed well laid out and generally cleaner than Surrey's
•
Campus is all in one place and spread out nicely
•
24/7 study rooms (with free tea and coffee)
•
2 or 3 hours by train from home (good/bad ?)
•
Outreach program (get paid to take classes in schools)
•
Closest town and supermarket (Brighton) is a bus/train ride away
•
Brighton is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
What I love about Surrey:
•
Timing of the placement year (between the 2nd and 3rd years)
•
Surrey seems to have better business links so job prospects after I finish uni seems better
•
30 mins by train from home (good/bad ?)
•
Has Jim Al-Khalili as a potential lecturer
•
Guildford is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
•
Closest town and supermarket within walking distance
It seems Surrey has the academic edge but Sussex has the social edge, any opinions on this? (However http://universities.findthebest.co.uk/ suggested there is a higher percentage of people getting a 2:1 or higher at Sussex rather than Surrey)
Sussex also seems more focused on research after your degree rather than a job. However Surrey equally focused on further research and getting a job in industry. (Again, any opinions on this?)
What makes it interesting is that Sussex gave me an unconditional offer (if I put them as my firm) however Surrey hasn't given me an unconditional offer.
(Will cross-post to Surrey's sub-forum and then bring some of their opinions back)
Would really appreciate your thoughts/experiences (even if you haven't been to both of them). Thanks in advance!
Scroll to see replies
University of Sussex
Brighton
Hi there,
Not sure if this is too late but I'll try to help as much as I can (graduated last summer in physics at Sussex)
I'm obviously biased and think Sussex is the bees knees and it's mostly because the department is so kind and caring and supportive. All the lecturers, technicians, office staff etc really go out of their way to help you out and lecturers doors are usually open so you can just walk in and ask for help/advice/have a cry if you need to (I've done this many times!)
I'll respond to your Surrey plus points here:
Timing of the placement year (between the 2nd and 3rd years)
We do the research placement which is every summer and you get paid for it and I believe you can do a placement year but not sure on this...
Surrey seems to have better business links so job prospects after I finish uni seems better
We have really high employability and we are in the same SEPNet consortium and so all internships are offered to Sussex and Surrey students...
30 mins by train from home (good/bad ?)
I can't change that but for me being further away from home made me more independent...
Has Jim Al-Khalili as a potential lecturer
Yes but probably for only one course so don't use that as your sole reason...
Guildford is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
I'd say bad because I like how Brighton has so much going on for people who like all different stuff - rap, club music, indie music, pubs, trance, art, poetry... You name it, it's in Brighton!
Closest town and supermarket within walking distance
Only in your first year - you'll probably live along Lewes Road after that and there's a Sainsburys there and you can walk into town. Also there is a (small) Co-Op on campus and a weekly market and a veg box scheme!
Feel free to ask me any more Qs!
Not sure if this is too late but I'll try to help as much as I can (graduated last summer in physics at Sussex)
I'm obviously biased and think Sussex is the bees knees and it's mostly because the department is so kind and caring and supportive. All the lecturers, technicians, office staff etc really go out of their way to help you out and lecturers doors are usually open so you can just walk in and ask for help/advice/have a cry if you need to (I've done this many times!)
I'll respond to your Surrey plus points here:
Timing of the placement year (between the 2nd and 3rd years)
We do the research placement which is every summer and you get paid for it and I believe you can do a placement year but not sure on this...
Surrey seems to have better business links so job prospects after I finish uni seems better
We have really high employability and we are in the same SEPNet consortium and so all internships are offered to Sussex and Surrey students...
30 mins by train from home (good/bad ?)
I can't change that but for me being further away from home made me more independent...
Has Jim Al-Khalili as a potential lecturer
Yes but probably for only one course so don't use that as your sole reason...
Guildford is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
I'd say bad because I like how Brighton has so much going on for people who like all different stuff - rap, club music, indie music, pubs, trance, art, poetry... You name it, it's in Brighton!
Closest town and supermarket within walking distance
Only in your first year - you'll probably live along Lewes Road after that and there's a Sainsburys there and you can walk into town. Also there is a (small) Co-Op on campus and a weekly market and a veg box scheme!
Feel free to ask me any more Qs!
Original post by Antimatter
Hi there,
Not sure if this is too late but I'll try to help as much as I can (graduated last summer in physics at Sussex)
I'm obviously biased and think Sussex is the bees knees and it's mostly because the department is so kind and caring and supportive. All the lecturers, technicians, office staff etc really go out of their way to help you out and lecturers doors are usually open so you can just walk in and ask for help/advice/have a cry if you need to (I've done this many times!)
I'll respond to your Surrey plus points here:
Timing of the placement year (between the 2nd and 3rd years)
We do the research placement which is every summer and you get paid for it and I believe you can do a placement year but not sure on this...
Surrey seems to have better business links so job prospects after I finish uni seems better
We have really high employability and we are in the same SEPNet consortium and so all internships are offered to Sussex and Surrey students...
30 mins by train from home (good/bad ?)
I can't change that but for me being further away from home made me more independent...
Has Jim Al-Khalili as a potential lecturer
Yes but probably for only one course so don't use that as your sole reason...
Guildford is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
I'd say bad because I like how Brighton has so much going on for people who like all different stuff - rap, club music, indie music, pubs, trance, art, poetry... You name it, it's in Brighton!
Closest town and supermarket within walking distance
Only in your first year - you'll probably live along Lewes Road after that and there's a Sainsburys there and you can walk into town. Also there is a (small) Co-Op on campus and a weekly market and a veg box scheme!
Feel free to ask me any more Qs!
Not sure if this is too late but I'll try to help as much as I can (graduated last summer in physics at Sussex)
I'm obviously biased and think Sussex is the bees knees and it's mostly because the department is so kind and caring and supportive. All the lecturers, technicians, office staff etc really go out of their way to help you out and lecturers doors are usually open so you can just walk in and ask for help/advice/have a cry if you need to (I've done this many times!)
I'll respond to your Surrey plus points here:
Timing of the placement year (between the 2nd and 3rd years)
We do the research placement which is every summer and you get paid for it and I believe you can do a placement year but not sure on this...
Surrey seems to have better business links so job prospects after I finish uni seems better
We have really high employability and we are in the same SEPNet consortium and so all internships are offered to Sussex and Surrey students...
30 mins by train from home (good/bad ?)
I can't change that but for me being further away from home made me more independent...
Has Jim Al-Khalili as a potential lecturer
Yes but probably for only one course so don't use that as your sole reason...
Guildford is where I would be going for a night out (good/bad ?)
I'd say bad because I like how Brighton has so much going on for people who like all different stuff - rap, club music, indie music, pubs, trance, art, poetry... You name it, it's in Brighton!
Closest town and supermarket within walking distance
Only in your first year - you'll probably live along Lewes Road after that and there's a Sainsburys there and you can walk into town. Also there is a (small) Co-Op on campus and a weekly market and a veg box scheme!
Feel free to ask me any more Qs!
Certainly not too late, thanks a lot for the reply!
Will think of some good Q's to ask you over the next couple of hours!
Sussex is brilliant. You should come here.
Original post by SmallTownGirl
Sussex is brilliant. You should come here.
I do love Sussex, but why not Surrey?
Original post by Dancatpro
I do love Sussex, but why not Surrey?
Because Brighton is immense.
Original post by Dancatpro
I do love Sussex, but why not Surrey?
Original post by SmallTownGirl
Because Brighton is immense.
SUSSEX!!!
Glad to see more Sussex Students using TSR now!
I can't answer the original question but thanks for the responses. I'm trying to choose between Surrey and Sussex as well but for Mathematics.
Original post by tatherton13
I can't answer the original question but thanks for the responses. I'm trying to choose between Surrey and Sussex as well but for Mathematics.
Oooh awesome!
Original post by tatherton13
I can't answer the original question but thanks for the responses. I'm trying to choose between Surrey and Sussex as well but for Mathematics.
Having been at Sussex for 3 years studying Mathematics, its awesome.
The faculty are great and are passionate about their teaching. I would love to take another maths degree
. Feel free to as me about any questions you may have? Original post by ajayhp
Having been at Sussex for 3 years studying Mathematics, its awesome.
The faculty are great and are passionate about their teaching. I would love to take another maths degree. Feel free to as me about any questions you may have?
The faculty are great and are passionate about their teaching. I would love to take another maths degree
. Feel free to as me about any questions you may have? Did you ever consider Surrey?
Original post by ajayhp
Having been at Sussex for 3 years studying Mathematics, its awesome.
The faculty are great and are passionate about their teaching. I would love to take another maths degree. Feel free to as me about any questions you may have?
The faculty are great and are passionate about their teaching. I would love to take another maths degree
. Feel free to as me about any questions you may have? What are the highlights of the department? I've been to an applicant day and generally it seemed friendly, relaxed, and welcoming. The 24 hour study rooms are a nice touch as well.
What's the academic support like and how easy is it to get hold of lecturers?
Original post by Dancatpro
Did you ever consider Surrey?
Yes I did consider Surrey, although it was Brighton that took me away. The seaside and countryside was one of the selling points. The night-life is awesome in Brighton as well as you could imagine.
Original post by tatherton13
What are the highlights of the department? I've been to an applicant day and generally it seemed friendly, relaxed, and welcoming. The 24 hour study rooms are a nice touch as well.
What's the academic support like and how easy is it to get hold of lecturers?
What's the academic support like and how easy is it to get hold of lecturers?
The 24-hour rooms are a god send for assignments, exams etc. In addition, free tea and coffee, what more could you want and the ability to heat up your food.
The lecturers are easy to get hold, they have office hours once a week. Although if there is something urgent they are more than happy to help.
That's the best thing about the department, they are a relaxed bunch which enables you to learn more and enjoy it more. Your paying £9,000 you don't want to be pressurised but you should get your moneys worth by making it a worthwhile experience. Sussex Uni offers this.
The maths department is in an expansionary phase, with I think more than new 20 PHd's joining last year. Some straight from MMath at Sussex, so you can see that the teaching must be good.
@ajayhp what do mean by expansionary? Are they looking to raise the profile of the department?
Original post by tatherton13
@ajayhp what do mean by expansionary? Are they looking to raise the profile of the department?
When I first when to Sussex it was 11th in the UK for mathematics, but since then the protests have made it tumble down the league tables as mentioned in a different thread.
I think they are looking to raise the profile. Sussex's research influence is 4th in the UK. More research = more money and may possibly translate to a bigger department due to the transition from PhD to lecturer.
I don't know to be honest, will see what happens in a couple of years with the maths department.
Original post by ajayhp
When I first when to Sussex it was 11th in the UK for mathematics, but since then the protests have made it tumble down the league tables as mentioned in a different thread.
I think they are looking to raise the profile. Sussex's research influence is 4th in the UK. More research = more money and may possibly translate to a bigger department due to the transition from PhD to lecturer.
I don't know to be honest, will see what happens in a couple of years with the maths department.
I think they are looking to raise the profile. Sussex's research influence is 4th in the UK. More research = more money and may possibly translate to a bigger department due to the transition from PhD to lecturer.
I don't know to be honest, will see what happens in a couple of years with the maths department.
Is the league table blip down to the protests? The research profile seems to have remained fairly stable but is it student satisfaction that's causing the issue?
Original post by tatherton13
Is the league table blip down to the protests? The research profile seems to have remained fairly stable but is it student satisfaction that's causing the issue?
It might be the student satisfaction. To be honest, I wouldn't base my decision on league tables.
It's also a younger university than Surrey. Sussex is only 53 years old and is set to rise as one of the top 15 in the country or more.
Original post by JamieJam
Sussex SU is great they always think about that students !
German, international student, Business management I am super excited about going to sussex this September ! A friend of mine just told me they just installed a Free Printing Station in the SU ... how awesome is that !? Apparently its saving him a tonne of money already so he has more to go out
Whats your opinion on free printing guys ? Has anyone saw this station and how is it ??
German, international student, Business management I am super excited about going to sussex this September ! A friend of mine just told me they just installed a Free Printing Station in the SU ... how awesome is that !? Apparently its saving him a tonne of money already so he has more to go out
Whats your opinion on free printing guys ? Has anyone saw this station and how is it ??
Yes I have seen it, unfortunately it was offline on the weekend. Will be using to print off lecture note though
The fall in league tables is because of the student protests, and a load of ultra left wingers raged against the chancellor of the uni and wanted to take their anger out on him by moaning about how the uni sucks to the surveys. (The reasons behind it in short were because the uni isn't run as left wing and socialist as they would like)
I can't recommend sussex enough. Brighton is amazing, the uni lectures are great. The campus is lovely, and brighton nightlife is buzzing.
The only thing in your case id say, is go for sussex. I know people who went to uni near where they live, and their parents harp on at them all the time about going home. They go home a lot more, and resultantly dont tend to be as involved with the other people there. 3 hours isn't too bad. It takes me about 2 and a half to get home. Go for sussex man, surrey sucks
I can't recommend sussex enough. Brighton is amazing, the uni lectures are great. The campus is lovely, and brighton nightlife is buzzing.
The only thing in your case id say, is go for sussex. I know people who went to uni near where they live, and their parents harp on at them all the time about going home. They go home a lot more, and resultantly dont tend to be as involved with the other people there. 3 hours isn't too bad. It takes me about 2 and a half to get home. Go for sussex man, surrey sucks
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