Program Snapshot
We’re so excited that you’re considering an IFSA-Butler program for your summer abroad and have chosen the University of Sussex as your destination. Brighton is a vibrant, exciting city with a youthful population, and art and culture around every corner. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!
There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.
What the Sussex summer program has to offer
- Innovative teaching styles and an active, arts-rich campus
- Excellent range of social and academic facilities
- Weekend trips to places such as Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Stonehenge or Leeds Castle
- Special events, including welcome or farewell dinners, British film nights and special lectures
- 24-hour computer labs, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and sports facilities
- Wireless Internet access available throughout campus
Housing
- On campus dorms and student flats
- Housing is self-catering, with kitchens available for student use
- All bedrooms are singles, with shared kitchens and common areas
Academics
- Summer study organized into two four-week sessions
- You may choose to attend for the first session or attend both sessions
- Students take one course per session, each worth 4 U.S. semester credit hours
We look forward to working with you!
Academics
Courses
Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
Open the University of Sussex summer online course catalog.
What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.
For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:
- When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the England academic system is an intensive, three-year program.
- First-year (Level 1) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
- Second-year (Level 2) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
- Third-year (Level 3) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.
Course Restrictions
You may only enroll in the courses that are posted in the summer online course catalog and for which you have met the prerequisites. You may only enroll in one course per session.
Credits
How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. Students are permitted to take one course per summer session. Each course is worth 4 U.S. semester credit hours.
Registration
What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Sussex Summer course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.
You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.
The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind.
Exams
What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university’s policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement.
Transcripts
How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Sussex Summer. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.
Housing
Housing Options
What are my housing options?
Summer school students at the University of Sussex live on campus in modern, furnished student residences in North Field or Lewes Court 2. Classes are located just a short walk from your accommodation, so getting to class is incredibly convenient. Students will live in a single bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Students share a living/dining area and a kitchen, and wireless Internet is available. You must supply your own towels, but bedding and bed linens are included.
What other facilities are available on campus?
There is a grocery store, a bookshop, post office, pharmacy, launderette and banks. You will also have access to the library and computer clusters, which are located throughout campus.
Meals
Is there a meal plan?
No. All university accommodation at Sussex is self-catering. No meals will be provided, but you will have access to kitchen facilities where you may prepare your own meals.
If you prefer not to cook, there are plenty of places to eat out on campus during the week. There are cafeterias, a coffee shop, a supermarket and campus bars where meals are served.
Housing FAQs
Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur.
When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in England for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.
Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.
Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
No. Summer students are not required to pay a housing deposit.
Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you’ve made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.
Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing May 1 for summer programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after this date.
Location Info
Living and Studying Abroad in Brighton, England
About Brighton
Population: 250,000
Location: On the Southern coast of England, less than an hour south of London
City features
- A graceful, cosmopolitan seaside resort with a liberal attitude
- The fanciful Prince Regent Royal Pavilion, a former Royal palace built in the early 1800s
- Gaudy Brighton Pier features a large funfair, restaurants and arcade halls
- Full of life and entertainment attractions, a great city for arts lovers
- Brighton and Hove have more restaurants per capita than any other city in England besides London, plus great bars, cafes, and wine bars
- Quaint shops and bizarre stores for the best shopping south of London
- Each May the city hosts England's largest arts festival
Do more!
- Explore the South Downs country around Brighton, rich in scenic and cultural interest.
- Take day trips to Chichester Cathedral, Rodmell to see Virginia Woolf's former home or Burwash to visit Rudyard Kipling's country retreat
- Ride a train to London, just 45 minutes away
- Take advantage of Brighton's ideal location for trips across the English Channel to explore mainland Europe
Links
Brighton Onlife
Brighton and Hove Online
Sussex Tourism
Sussex Top Attractions
Sussex and Brighton News
Dates & Fees
Program Dates
Dates for summer 2012 coming soon!Click
here to view a full list of summer program calendars.
Personal Cost Estimates
Personal cost estimates for summer 2012 coming soon!Click
here to view a full list of summer personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator
Forms
To apply to the University of Sussex summer program, use our easy online application.
Applicants to the University of Sussex summer program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:
We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the University of Sussex for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.
If you have already started an application to the University the Sussex summer program, you can track which forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the student portal.
Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team
IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in England.
Assistant Director for Language-Based Programs
Emily Beck assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Emily studied abroad in Mexico, worked in Chile, has traveled through Latin America, Europe and Australia, and is fluent in Spanish. She has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2005, as program advisor, interim resident director, and most recently Assistant Director for Language-Based Programs. She currently advises students on studying abroad in Latin America and England. Emily can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4249.
Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.
Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.
Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors. Click here to read more about Resident Directors Lynne Alvarez and Andrew Williams.
Upon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkleprocesses your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. Currently she is working on her Doctorate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.
Photos
This Flash content
does not print.
You need to upgrade your Flash Player
England 
Printing Tips
= enlarge/focus 
= scroll left/right
= to image source 
= close image 
