University of Brighton marks beginning of new era in the city

New and returning students began their studies this week at our three campuses across the Brighton at the beginning of a new era for the institution.

The major redevelopment of the university’s Falmer campus has now been completed, enabling courses which had previously been taught more than 20 miles away in Eastbourne to relocate to Brighton from this September.

The work to improve and expand Falmer campus – home to the university’s School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences – has included the creation of world-class facilities to support teaching, learning and research.

Each year, almost 1,000 University of Brighton students begin their careers in the NHS and wider health sector after graduating. New facilities at Falmer have been designed to replicate the professional spaces in which Brighton students will work in their future careers, with bespoke labs and teaching facilities for students studying subjects including Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Midwifery, and Sport and Exercise Science

These facilities include a range of equipment to support both teaching and research and will be used by students, staff and in collaboration with partners. They include a running track with 3D motion analysis camera technology, laboratories measuring and predicting the impact of extreme environmental conditions on the human body, blood analysis facilities, an occupational therapy daily living suite, simulated hospital wards and a 360-degree virtual reality simulation suite.

This campus is also home to the university’s education courses, with hundreds of trainee teachers learning both on campus and on placement in local classrooms. Brighton was recently rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for its Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Training provision, and works in partnership with schools across the city and wider region to train the next generation of teachers.

The Falmer campus also now offers improved sport and leisure opportunities for students, staff and the local community following the creation of the new Brighton Sport and Health Complex on the site of the former Virgin Active health club. Facilities on offer include dance and spin studios, football and rugby pitches, netball, badminton, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, gymnastics area, an indoor swimming pool and large gym and fitness suite.

Professor Andrew Lloyd, Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: “The completion of this major investment programme at the Falmer campus is the latest part of our long-term strategy to provide the best possible experience for our students.

“The Falmer campus is now one of the region’s biggest hubs for sport and health learning, teaching and research, alongside our already outstanding teacher training provision. Working with our partners in the education and health sectors, we’re creating the next generation of public sector professionals that our city and our region needs and helping solve global challenges through our ground-breaking research.”

Dr Angela Glynn, Dean of the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences, said: “Our improved Falmer campus now brings together all our education, sport and health courses on one amazing site. The facilities on offer provide a wide range of exciting opportunities for our students to study and learn through hands-on activities and simulations that replicate what they will encounter in the world of work.

“These new facilities are already providing a major boost to our students’ university experience and will equip our graduates with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in their future careers. I’d encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more to come to our Open Day on November 16th to see what have to offer.”

The investment at the Falmer campus is part of the University of Brighton’s campus strategy. Targeted investment, funded by the sale of parts of the estate which are no longer core to its operations, is has delivered significant improvements to facilities for students and staff while improving accessibility and environmental sustainability and reducing running costs.

Earlier in the summer, the university held events for staff and alumni to celebrate its history and heritage in Eastbourne. The university is working with local stakeholders in Eastbourne on future plans for its sites in the town, and has already transferred ownership of its sport and leisure facilities to enable creation of a new community health and wellbeing hub.