Your experience

Brighton

Brighton is a lively student city, just an hour from London and Gatwick International Airport. Located between the coast and the South Downs National park, Brighton hosts fantastic events for all audiences throughout the year that reflect the huge amount of character, vibrancy and inclusiveness that it offers.

Brighton’s mix of cultures and nationalities means that you’ll be at home here no matter what country or background you’re from. A colourful seaside place with a big city feel, it’s on the edge of the country, but you’ll be at the centre of everything.

It’s an inclusive and forward-thinking city, leading the way in arts, creative technology and the environment, offering opportunities to build on your studies by getting involved in city life. However long you’re here for, you’ll still be discovering exciting new places to go.

Accommodation

We understand how important it is for international students who are away from home to live in a safe and friendly community.

We guarantee all of our study abroad students a place in halls of residence on the Falmer campus. Falmer enjoys a welcoming and sociable environment with facilities including a library, restaurant, café, shop and cashpoint facilities.

Living in halls of residence is one of the best ways to meet new people and settle into university life. You’ll be sharing apartment style housing with other study abroad students and live in a close-knit community with University of Brighton students. The halls are managed by us which means that they meet our standards.

• All rooms are ensuite.
• There are three to eight rooms per apartment with shared kitchen and living area.
• Internet and utilities are covered.
• Cleaning of communal areas is included.
• 24-hour staff cover.
• On-site support from student residential advisors.
• Close to bus stops and a train station to get to the Moulsecoomb and City campuses for classes and into the city.

Our trips

The UK has a rich cultural heritage. Get to know our country by joining our fully-organised field trips to UK cities, historical landmarks and places of interest. There's an opportunity to visit Paris as well. 

We book and organise everything on your behalf so that you can concentrate on enjoying the trip. We also get group discounted prices that we can pass directly onto you. These popular trips are budget-friendly, and a great opportunity to see new places and get to know other study abroad students.

Click on the tabs to find out more about each trip.

London

This day trip to central London during your Induction Week is a great opportunity to get to know other study abroad students. Our walking tour includes Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard, Trafalgar Square, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and other historical landmarks, and shopping at Fortnum and Mason. 

 We have a lunch break at Leicester Square, and you have the option to stay in London for the evening after the walking tour finishes. 

East Sussex

This day trip by coach will take you off the beaten track to scenic countryside and historical landmarks close to Brighton. Our trip includes the chalky cliffs of Seven Sisters, Beachy Head, the picturesque village of Alfriston for lunch in a traditional countryside pub, and Battle Abbey, the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

Bodiam and Rye

Day trip by coach through the beautiful counties of Sussex and Kent to Bodiam Castle, a classic medieval castle in a picturesque setting. We drive on to the old smugglers town of Rye with its cobbled streets, famous Inns and quaint shops and cafes. 

Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon

Weekend trip by coach stopping by Windsor Castle before going on to explore the university town of Oxford and Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-Upon-Avon. The trip includes evening theatre tickets to a Royal Shakespeare Company performance (if available) and a visit to Warwick Castle, a beautifully preserved medieval castle.

Accommodation is in a typical family guesthouse in Stratford and includes a full English breakfast. 

Bath and Stonehenge

Weekend trip to visit Bath, Salisbury, Bristol and Stonehenge. Travel by coach to Bath, a World Heritage City, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and Roman Baths (entrance included in cost of the trip). Visit one of the many other attractions such as the Jane Austen Centre, Bath Postal Museum or the Royal Crescent.

Accommodation is in a hotel in the port city of Bristol. On Sunday visit Salisbury, home to the cathedral with the tallest spire in the United Kingdom, and then Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site (entrance included).

Paris

Long weekend by coach and ferry or Eurotunnel to Paris. Enjoy an evening boat ride on the river Seine and a bus tour of the main sights of the city (included in the cost of the trip). Use your free time to visit other famous sites including the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, the Louvre museum and Notre Dame We also visit the Palace of Versailles, with the option to tour the palace and gardens or just enjoy the local market in Versailles.

Accommodation is in a central Parisian hotel (2/3 per room) - cost includes continental breakfast. There is a bar and restaurant in the hotel and plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Anya Wangsuwan (New Zealand) 

"Doing this student exchange has been one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. I have met some incredible and talented people and have had some incredible experiences.

I am a Graphic Design major. Studying at Brighton University has opened up so many opportunities for me and has allowed me to experiment with new techniques and ideas. My course has allowed me to attend seminars and local design studios which has been very inspiring. For one of our design briefs, I had the opportunity to utilise my design skills to create a piece of work for an international company.

I was both nervous and excited when I started studying at Brighton University. However, everyone was extremely friendly and made me feel welcome. I knew from the first day that I would enjoy my time here. My course tutors have been extremely helpful and supportive. If I ever had any questions, I could email my tutors and set up a time to meet with them. They were very reassuring during the start of the semester when I was still adjusting to the different ways of learning.

I have become more confident and independent during my time at Brighton. By pushing myself past my comfort zone, it has allowed me to meet new people and experience a different style of living. Brighton is a brilliant city for international students and has always got something going on. I absolutely love it here.

How would I describe my experience in three words? Amazing, life changing and unforgettable."

Andrew Baumann (USA)

"I'm really happy I chose the courses I did at Brighton They all offered unique perspectives on their respective topics that I couldn't really get back home.

Since coming to England has been both the farthest I've been from home, and the longest time I've been away, it's given me a certain confidence and comfort in my own independence and self-reliance. There is more independent learning than what I'm used to, which is an adjustment, but it allows for me to decide when I want to learn outside of a traditional class schedule.

It's been surprisingly easy to settle in to Brighton. There are so many support systems in place. There's the Study Abroad Office, which has really been so incredible, and so many other people willing to help you out.

Brighton has its own sense of style and is off the beaten path. You really get to learn about and feel at home in this smaller, diverse seaside city. But you're still closely connected to London and the rest of Europe with Gatwick Airport being less than a half an hour away.

The field trips have all been really cool because they've been to places I wouldn't necessarily pick out for myself and yet they've given me a much better awareness and appreciation of what this part of the UK is like.

I think what's made me most glad that I came to Brighton is the friends I've made. It's such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that you really get this special bond with all the people you go through it with."

Tips for studying abroad

• Come with an open mind: embrace the cultural differences and new experiences!
• Don’t pack too much, but do bring clothes you can layer as the weather is changeable in the UK – sunny one minute and chilly the next!
• Sign up for the organised field trips, they are a great way of seeing parts of the UK and Europe and making friends with other study abroad students.  
• Join the British Culture module - this exclusive module for study abroad students will deepen your knowledge of British Culture and history, complementing your experience of living here.
• Do ask for support: throughout your stay we’re on hand if you need guidance or help and we have fantastic support teams within the university who are always happy to assist.
• Be aware that the UK healthcare system may be different to what you are used to at home. We can recommend local doctors, drop-in centres and pharmacies.
• The education system may take some time to adjust to when you arrive - we will go through your classes with you during the Induction week and there is plenty of academic support within the university.