More students than ever at Sussex University (From The Argus)

More students than ever at Sussex University

3:01pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

By Natalie Laurence

For the first time in Sussex University history the total student population has exceeded 13,000.

More students than ever are studying at Sussex, which means as the new academic year begins many more first-year students are getting to grips with university life.

In line with the university’s strategic plan, Making the Future, the intake from the UK/EU and overseas has grown, leading to an overall larger student population.

The number of students is set to rise even further and is forecast to reach 15,000 by 2015.

This year Sussex has admitted around 500 overseas undergraduates and just under 2,600 new students from the UK and EU.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: “Sussex is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. We will continue to look at ways in which we can further develop our global reputation as a centre for research excellence and as an institution that welcomes talented students from around the world.”

In 2011 the UK/EU intake for universities was limited by the government.

For 2012 admissions the government cap is still in place for students achieving less than AAB at A Level but they have allowed universities to admit unlimited numbers of students gaining AAB or more.

The amount of students achieving AAB or more accepted into Sussex in 2012 was 45%, the same as last year but an increase on previous years.

However, figures released by UCAS show that AAB plus grades nationally in 2012 are 14,000 fewer than in 2011.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Clare Mackie, said: “Maintaining our AAB+ numbers at Sussex at the same proportion as last year is a tremendous achievement when all universities have been chasing this smaller pool of high-quality students.”

University spokeswoman Jacqui Bealing said: “It has been a policy of the university to attract the highest quality students and to continually raise entry standards.

During the last (2008) Research Assessment Exercise over 90 per cent of Sussex research activity was rated as world leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.

Sussex is also a popular choice for its location; close to thrilling Brighton, yet the campus is surrounded by the beautiful South Downs National Park .”