The University of Sussex Students’ Union is a democratic organisation representing over 18,000 students at the University of Sussex and Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The well-being, experiences, and passion of students is at the heart of everything we do. We engage over 1000 volunteers each year, helping to run our campaigns and projects; employ 260 students to help run our outlets; and, each year, elect hundreds of students to help represent and campaign for change. Our aim is to improve the experience students have while studying at Sussex University.
Our Student Voice & Engagement teams defend and promote the interests of students at the University of Sussex and BSMS. They operate an advice and advocacy service providing individual advice and advocacy as well as facilitating collective student representation through lobbying, training, research and briefings for officers and the Academic Student Rep scheme. It also ensures that our democratic systems are functioning and effective. Our Engagement Team ensures that the voices of all students are heard through supporting our Community Organisers, student campaigns, the Race Equality Advocates scheme and facilitates our engagement work within the local community.
Our Activities department provides organised sporting opportunities and facilitates special interest, student run societies and groups. The department also supports a student Buddy Scheme, Language Café and the postgraduate Network. We provide student run space to facilitate student debate and discussion and act as a platform for social action, liberation and political activity. They also facilitate our Student Media outlets, including TV, radio and print media, and have a large online presence both with websites and on social media.
Our Events and Sponsorship Team runs a full calendar of events across the academic year; from Freshers Week to Graduation. We also support a varied cultural and liberation events programme and provide the support and training for students to organise their own events.
Our Lettings Agency is run for the benefit of students. We ensure that only good quality housing is available in our agency and ensure they have the best possible places in which to live and study. It also offers general housing advice for students renting in the private sector.
Our Commercial Trading services operate on campus licensed social venues and retailing. These operations provide essential services; opportunities for students to meet and socialise with each other; valued student employment; as well as revenue to support our non-commercial services.
Our Student Employment opportunities ensure our student staff typically have more training and development opportunities than with other employers from customer service training through to leadership qualifications for student duty managers. They gain greater experience and shifts are allocated around student commitments where possible. We also offer rewarding and beneficial employment opportunities for recent Sussex graduates in key roles throughout the Union on one year placements.
