Seven celebs you may not have known studied at the University of Sussex

The University of Sussex has shaped many a young mind since receiving its royal charter back in 1961. In that time, it has seen swathes of preeminent thinkers and innovators pass through its doors, including five Nobel Prize winners, 15 fellows of the Royal Society, ten fellows of the British Academy, and 24 fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences. And that is not even to mention the various world leaders, political figures, artists and musicians that have graced the Falmer campus.

Here are seven people you may not have realised went to the University of Sussex. (Image: Raph_PH) 1. Frankie Boyle The Glaswegian comedian, writer, and presenter graduated from the University of Sussex in 1994 with a degree in English.



Known for his sardonic and provocative humour, comedian Boyle first gained widespread recognition as a regular panellist on the comedy show Mock the Week from 2005 until 2009, before releasing a number of successful books and conducting sold-out live tours. (Image: Roger Harris) 2. Kemi Badenoch The leader of the Conservative Party graduated from the University of Sussex in 2003 with a master's degree in computer systems engineering.

Badenoch became the first black person to be either leader of the opposition or leader of the Conservative Party in November 2024, having previously fulfilled a number of cabinet roles, and serving as the MP for North West Essex, previously Saffron Walden, since 2017. (Image: Thesupermat) 3. Ian McEwan The award-winning British novelist and screenwriter graduated in 1970 with a degree in English.

He won the Booker Prize with his novel Amsterdam (1998). His next novel, Atonement, garnered acclaim and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film featuring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. His later novels have included The Children Act, Nutshell, and Machines Like Me.

He was awarded the 1999 Shakespeare Prize and the 2011 Jerusalem Prize. In 2008, The Times featured him on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945". (Image: Rene Passet) 4.

Jessie Ware The English singer and songwriter graduated from Sussex in 2007 with a degree in English. Ware came to prominence following the release of her debut studio album, Devotion (2012), which peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart and produced the single Wildest Moments. Her second studio album, Tough Love (2014), reached number nine in the UK and produced the singles Tough Love and Say You Love Me.

Her third studio album, Glasshouse (2017), reached number seven in the UK. Ware has received accolades including seven Brit Awards nominations and two Mercury Prize nominations. (Image: Steffen Prößdorf) 5.

Ralf Rangnick The German football manager spent a year placement at the University of Sussex during 1979 while studying for a degree in English and physical education at Stuttgart University. He is currently the manager of the Austrian national team following successful spells managing RB Leipzig, as well as a not-so-successful spell as interim Manchester United manager. A 21-year-old Rangnick cut his teeth in the glamorous surroundings of English non-league football, making no less than 11 appearances for Southwick FC.

(Image: Bryan Berlin) 6. Sara Pascoe The comedian and author graduated from Sussex in 2004 with a degree in English. Pascoe has appeared on numerous television programmes including 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Taskmaster for Channel 4, and QI for BBC Two.

She has also written two books. The first, Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body, was published in 2016. Her second book, Sex Power Money, was published in 2019.

She hosted series 8 and series 9 of The Great British Sewing Bee. (Image: Possan) 7. Billy Idol The English singer, songwriter and musician attended Worthing High School for Boys.

In October 1975, he began attending the University of Sussex to pursue a philosophy with literature degree, but, in true punk fashion, dropped out after one year. He achieved fame in the 1970s on the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of Generation X. He later embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made him a lead artist during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in America.

Idol's second studio album Rebel Yell (1983) was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles Rebel Yell and Eyes Without a Face..