ßÏßÏÊÓƵ landmarks

From high-profile members of staff and groundbreaking research, to providing an exceptional education for our students, we've packed a lot into the last 60 years. See our timeline of events below.


Black and white archive photograph of John Fulton standing in front of Falmer House.

The University College of ßÏßÏÊÓƵ comes into legal existence, with John Fulton as Principal.

The ßÏßÏÊÓƵ Royal Charter signed on 16 August.

The first graduation takes place in the Refectory, with 38 students. School of African and Asian Studies (AFRAS) founded.

is appointed Vice-Chancellor.

The is lodged at the Library.

The world’s first transatlantic email is received at ßÏßÏÊÓƵ’s Richmond Building during a conference.

The University acquires the Kipling Papers.

First alumni reunion, the ‘Summer Weekend’, beginning on June 30.

Black and white archive photograph of Harry Kroto holding up a model buckyball while using the telephone.

Professor Harry Kroto discovers a previously unknown carbon, C60 Buckminsterfullerene.

and SPRU celebrate their 20th anniversaries. To mark ßÏßÏÊÓƵ’s Silver Jubilee, a 25th anniversary beer is produced by Harvey’s Brewery in Lewes.

Brighton hosts the UK premiere of Cry Freedom, raising funds for the Mandela Scholarship.

Steven Spielberg donates proceeds from the Oscar-winning Schindler’s List to the Centre for German-Jewish Studies. Professor for Chemistry.

Black and white photograph of Lord Richard Attenborough and Richard E Grant wearing formal ceremonial dress at a ßÏßÏÊÓƵ graduation ceremony..

Lord Richard Attenborough becomes fourth Chancellor. BBC Radio 1 Awards declares Radio Falmer as Best Student Union Radio in the UK.

opens. ßÏßÏÊÓƵ becomes first English university to host a Holocaust Memorial Day event.

After 40 years of service and 10 as Chancellor, Lord Richard Attenborough retires.

Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE is photographed in his inaugural year as Chancellor.

becomes fifth Chancellor.

ßÏßÏÊÓƵ is the first university to open a Centre for the Study of Corruption.

ßÏßÏÊÓƵ installs its first woman Vice Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil.


You might also be interested in: