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Choosing where to study

Universities in Brighton and Hove

Which are the best universities in Brighton? Discover more about each uni, their facilities, and the area's location and transport.

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CONTENTS

  1. Why study in Brighton and Hove?

  2. About Brighton and Hove

  3. University of Brighton

  4. University of Sussex

  5. Living in Brighton and Hove

  6. Entry requirements

  7. Transport links

  8. Getting around Brighton and Hove

  9. Things to do in Brighton and Hove

Why study in Brighton and Hove?

Brighton is a vibrant and inclusive city, known for its nightlife and arts and culture. To top it all off, there's a beach, a buzzing student community, and it’s a great place to explore some of the south coast’s most beautiful spots. From historical Hastings to easy-going Eastbourne and many more.

About Brighton and Hove

An arty, coastal city in the South East of England, Brighton and Hove is famed for its inclusivity and quirky character. You'll find beaches, a labyrinth of independent shops and eateries known as The Lanes, and festivals aplenty.

Only an hour away from London by train and half an hour from London Gatwick Airport, you will find lots to do here or further afield.

University of Brighton

The University of Brighton focuses on delivering practice-based creative and professional education. Degrees include work-related training, and many offer extended work placements. It nurtures creativity and resourcefulness, with plenty of support to help students succeed.

Location

The University of Brighton has three campuses in the city. Moulsecoomb is the largest and home to the student village. Two miles north of Brighton city centre, it is well connected by Moulsecoomb train station and local bus services. The City campus is at the heart of Brighton, a short walk from Brighton’s famous beach and the pier. It is the base for most of the uni's creative subjects. The recently renovated Falmer campus is set in the South Downs, four miles from Brighton city centre. It's home to the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences.

Facilities

The University of Brighton has library and computing facilities on all campuses. The libraries are open long hours, with study spaces and information professionals there to help. Informal learning spaces on all campuses help students to meet, socialise, and learn. Focused support is available for students facing extra challenges, like care leavers, estranged students, and LGBTQ+ students. Also, a faith and spirituality network offers support to students of all faiths, with services open to all.

See the for an interactive map and more information. 

University of Sussex 

The University of Sussex has a reputation for innovation and academic excellence. It aims to challenge and stimulate students to help them thrive. With over 150 nationalities on campus, you will find a vibrant, multicultural community. Its inclusivity, scenic campus, and academic rigour make this university a popular choice for students.

Location

The campus is in Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton. Set in the heart of the South Downs, its iconic red-brick 60s campus has all you need for student life. You'll find accommodation (including townhouses and flats), shops, cafes and bars, sport and health centres – and even a Post Office. The beauty of the University of Sussex campus is well known, with its lawns, woodland and wildflower meadows. Despite its rural feel, access to the city is easy using the nearby Falmer train station, regular local bus services, or the city's dedicated cycle routes.

Facilities

At the Student Centre, you will find support and information services, social spaces, and catering and retail outlets. Sussex’s library is open 24 hours during the term. It has individual study rooms and spaces, and a large, bookable study room for group work. The campus also has a high-spec contemporary theatre with a busy cultural programme. A multifaith centre of spirituality and wellbeing is at the beautiful Meeting House. This offers space for reflection, services, quiet study, and prayer.

See the for an interactive map and more information. 

Living in Brighton and Hove

Both universities guarantee accommodation for first-year students who apply by the deadline, either on campus or close by. You’ll have a choice of halls with different room options depending on your budget. Living in student halls makes it easy to meet people. It often includes perks like 24/7 on-hand support, Wi-Fi, bike storage, and access to nearby facilities like gyms and learning centres.

From the second year onwards, you’ll need to find your own place to live. It’s a good idea to think about this during the second half of your first year so you have more choice. Elm Grove, Hanover, Round Hill, London Road and Kemptown are all popular student areas.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our . There you can see what each course’s entry requirements are.

Transport links

Average train journey times from Brighton and Hove

Bristol  3 hours 58 minutes 
Cardiff   3 hours 47 minutes 
London 1 hour 24 minutes
Manchester 4 hour 40 minutes 
Nottingham 3 hours 17 minutes
Oxford  2 hours 39 minutes 
Southampton 1 hour 41 minutes

Getting around Brighton and Hove

Brighton centre is compact and full of places to go and things to do, so it’s often easiest to get around on foot. But, if you are living on the edge of the city, you might want to hop on your bike or public transport.

Bus

Brighton and Hove buses are very regular, and with student discounted tickets they offer a cheap way to travel. You can tap on and off the buses to pay and plan your journey via the Brighton and Hove app. There is also a dedicated student webpage with all the latest ticket prices.

Cycling

Brighton is great for getting to places by bike, which isn't surprising given the city was the first in the UK to elect a Green Party MP. Traffic-free cycle routes include the beachfront and a route connecting all university campuses. You can hire a bike from Beryl Bikes, which offers a student discount. Docking stations are all around the city, including the universities.

Walk

With something interesting to see around every corner, walking around Brighton is a fun and healthy way to explore. Stride along the beachfront, meander around the narrow lanes, or take a stroll down Brighton’s iconic pier.

Train

Brighton train station is around ten minutes’ walk from the city centre, with connections to major cities in the UK (often via London). Regular trains run between Brighton and Lewes, with stops at Moulsecoomb and Falmer between. A Unizone ticket will save you money.

Other

There are plenty of taxi services in the city, with the main ranks found along East Street, Queen's Square and Hove Town Hall. Uber is also available in Brighton and Hove.

Things to do in Brighton and Hove

Brighton’s bohemian and open vibe will draw you in when you want a break from studying. Students often gravitate to the cafes and independent shops of the North Laine area, or to the beach and pier.

Food and drink

With a cafe on every corner, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to eating out. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for by Brighton's long-established alternative foodie scene. Starting points include Terre à Terre, Franco Manco for pizza, and Foodilic for its healthy salad buffets – but you’ll soon find your own food highlights.

Nightlife

Many of Brighton’s big clubs like Shooshh are at the beachfront, with smaller, characterful bars found around North Laine. Brighton is famously LGBTQIA+ friendly, hosting the biggest LGBTQ+ festival in the UK, so it’s no surprise that there are loads of gay clubs to choose from. Club Revenge is the biggest and most well-known. If you’re up for a laugh, check out the Forge Comedy Club, the Secret Comedy Club, and Komedia.

Outdoors

If you love the water, head to one of the water sports centres on the coast to hire equipment or take a lesson. There’s also a beach sports centre for anything from the classic game of volleyball to beach tennis. If you want to get out of the city, take a day trip to Seven Sisters Country Park to see the white cliffs. It's part of the South Downs National Park and about an hour from the city centre via the Coaster bus.

Arts and culture

Brighton has a lively arts scene with lots of public art around the city. There are plenty of galleries, like the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. The Brighton Fringe, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every year.

The Royal Pavilion is a must-see. Resembling a fairytale palace, it's an eclectic mix of Regency, Indian and Islamic architecture. Inside takes inspiration from yet another culture, with opulent designs based on a Chinese style.

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