Kevin Fossey, senior lecturer in the School of Education, collected the Pearson Teaching Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education.
The former head teacher at Brighton's The Dharma Primary School is credited with making "an exceptional contribution to the lives of young people he has taught and inspired during his career".
Current and former students were present when Kevin was presented with the award at The Dharma Primary School on 23 May.
Kevin, whose career spans almost 40 years, was nominated by 160 of his students and by Peter Murdock, Head Teacher at The Dharma Primary School, Europe's only primary school based on Buddhist principles.
Peter Murdock said: "Although Kevin left The Dharma Primary School seven years ago, he is still remembered fondly for his important pioneering work in establishing an enduring foundation for this unique school.
"He has also been committed to helping children worldwide, raising funds and offering his expertise to create a much needed School for Malagiri in an impoverished part of Nepal.
"Quite simply, Kevin is a master teacher, a rare individual with the ability to teach with warmth, passion and a wonderful sense of humour that has students and colleagues of all ages held in rapt attention."
Olivia Brandreth, one of Kevin Fossey's students at the University of Brighton, said: "Kevin has been an inspiration to me throughout my first year at uiversity. I cannot think of a more generous or giving person and teacher to deserve a lifetime achievement award.
"I realized that so many people know and love Kevin for the things he has helped to achieve. This is one way they can have an opportunity to thank him. From all his work with students at the university, children in local surrounding schools in Brighton and from the school he helped build for the children of Malagiri in Nepal, Kevin is always giving and helping others. I felt it was time to give something back to show our magnitude of appreciation for all that he does."
Kevin Fossey said he was "incredibly touched" by the award and thanked those who had nominated him: "Over the past 40 years I have worked with some amazing pupils, students, colleagues and parents and have appreciated learning from each other and developing together. It has been a privilege and a joy to observe their growth in confidence and to be a part of the education of so many young people. If I had my time again I would not hesitate to choose the same career path."
