Our structure

Source: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/who Parent: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters

Sussex was the first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in 1961. Find out about the people leading us today and explore the schools, departments and services that make up the University.

[## Our leadership

Learn about the people leading the University of Sussex.](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/who/leadership)

[## Faculties, Schools and departments

Explore our research and faculty.](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/who/schools-and-departments)

[## Professional services

See how we support our schools, departments and students.](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/who/professional-services)

[## Our governance

Read our governing documents, which set out our objectives, powers and who exercises our functions.](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/who/governance)

Our principal committees

Read about the principal committees across the Council and Senate.

Council

Council is the governing body of the University.

Read the Council terms of reference and role descriptor 2025-26 [DOCX 42.56KB].

The following committees fall under the council, and you can also read their terms of reference:

• Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference [DOCX 39.87KB]
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School Joint Board terms of reference [PDF 306.06KB]
• Nominations and Governance Committee [DOCX 31.38KB]
• Finance, Resources and Performance Committee [DOCX 35.92KB]
• Remuneration Committee A terms of reference [PDF, 456KB]
• Remuneration Committee B terms of reference [PDF 129.70KB].

Senate

Specific authority is delegated to Senate for the regulation of academic work, governance decision making, advice and assurance to Council.

Read the Senate terms of reference and role descriptor [DOCX 41.71KB].

See how the committees that fall under the Senate are structured and read their terms of reference:

• University Education Committee

University Education Committee terms of reference [PDF, 99KB]

The following sub-committees sit under the University Education Committee:

1. Portfolio Approval Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 92KB]
2. Collaborative Provision Approval Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 105KB]
3. Apprenticeship Portfolio Approval Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 90KB]
4. Apprenticeship Oversight Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 56KB]
5. Joint Approval and Review Board terms of reference [PDF, 89KB]
6. Student Voice Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 86KB]
   • • Student Experience Forum terms of reference [PDF, 86KB]
7. Education and Scholarship Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 86KB]
8. Education and Students Regulation Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 81KB]
   • • Academic Appeals Panel terms of reference [PDF 164.21KB]
   • Academic Misconduct Panel terms of reference [PDF 110.11KB]
   • Suitability for Professional Practice Panel terms of reference [PDF, 61KB]
   • Module Assessment Boards terms of reference [PDF, 64KB]
   • Progression and Award Boards terms of reference [PDF, 68KB]
9. Faculty Education Committee terms of reference [PDF, 70KB]
10. University Research and Innovation Committee

University Research and Innovation Committee terms of reference [PDF 153.10KB]

The following sub-committees sit under the University Research and Innovation Committee:

1. Research Governance and Quality Assurance Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 92KB]
   • • Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body terms of reference [PDF, 80KB]
   • Health and Social Care Sponsorship Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 93KB]
   • Human Tissue Authority Licence Co-Ordination Group terms of reference [PDF, 89KB]
2. Research Ethics Integrity Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 96KB]
3. Early Career Researcher Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 105KB]
4. Postgraduate Researcher Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 93KB]
5. • Postgraduate Researcher Recruitment and Funding Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 114KB]
   • Research Degree Progression and Award Board terms of reference [PDF, 90KB]
   • Postgraduate Experience Sub-Committee terms of reference [PDF, 89KB]
   • Postgraduate Researcher Committee (Assessment Board) terms of reference [PDF, 60KB]5. Faculty Research and Innovation Committee terms of reference [PDF, 70KB]
6. Academic Promotions, Titles and Advancements Committee

Academic Promotions, Advancement and Titles Committee terms of reference terms of reference [PDF, 72KB] - Honorary Degrees Committee

Honorary Degrees Committee terms of reference terms of reference [PDF, 56KB]