International Relations and Anthropology BA (Hons)
Source: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/international-relations-and-anthropology-ba-hons/september-2026 Parent: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/international-relations-and-anthropology-ba-hons
Unpack the power structures that run the world and determine social change. Learn how to address the major challenges affecting human experience.
Select your start date
Key information
-
Duration
3 years full time - ### Typical A-level offer
ABB - ### UCAS code
LL26 - ### Start date
September 2026 - ### Location
Why choose this course at Sussex?
Join the School of Global Studies, a unique hub of interdisciplinary research. The Department of Anthropology and the Department of International Relations come together to offer a comprehensive training in the conditions that determine social change in our world today.
Gain a deep understanding of the major challenges facing our world today and learn how they can be addressed.
You’ll be taught by experts whose research is making a difference to communities across the world – from human rights to gender inequality to climate change and financial instability.
- **7th**in the UK for our research overall in Anthropology in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- **10th*in the UK for Social Sciences(The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)***
With the study abroad programme, the language centre and studying with many international students, your degree really has a chance to go global.”Enia V Dellepiane\ International Relations and Anthropology (with a study abroad year) BA
Undergraduate Visit Days
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On campus - in person
You’ll study for this degree on our campus, joining our academics and fellow students. With in-person contact time, digitally supported educational resources, library collections and independent study, this course is designed to give you an inclusive education. Your learning experience may also include work placements, field trips, studying abroad and internationalisation experiences.
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Modules
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Silver The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.\ This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years. (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)\ Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
### Your modules
#### Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
##### Autumn teaching
- Difference and Diversity: Humans and Beyond
- Empires and Revolutions: The Birth of Today's International Order
- Introduction to International Relations
- Making Sense of Humanity: Key Concepts in Anthropology
##### Spring teaching
- Making Money, Making Life: Capitalism, Care and the Environment
- Talking with Ghosts: Classical Theory and Contemporary Politics
- The Short Twentieth Century and Beyond
- Worlds and Selves
### Your degree
In your first year, you’ll learn about the history and development of international relations and anthropology. You’ll explore how international relations can help us understand global challenges. These include war and security, the rise of right-wing authoritarianism, and the climate emergency. And you’ll discover how anthropologists analyse the dynamics of kinship and family life, and the world of work in the context of capitalism.
#### Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and one-to-one meetings, as well as other activities including film screenings.
40%: Lecture\ 40%: Seminar\ 10%: Practical\ 10%: One-to-one
#### Assessment
Assessment methods typically include essays, presentations and creative assignments, such as posters and reflexive writing.
#### Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 180 hours of contact time and about 1,020 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. - Year 2 at Sussex
### Your modules
#### Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
##### Autumn teaching
- Beyond Bankers and Billionaires: Global Capitalism from Below
- Contemporary International Theory
- Ethnographic Research Methods
- Religion, Ritual & Global Transformation
##### Spring teaching
#### Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
##### Spring teaching
- Cities and Urban Lives
- Culture and Representation
- Development and the State
- Ethnographic Field Research
- Security and Insecurity in Global Politics
- The Politics of Foreign Policy
- The Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism
- Visual Anthropology
### Your degree
In your second year, you’ll cover the core areas of international relations and anthropology in depth. Engaging with approaches developed by scholars in these connected disciplines, you’ll study politics, religion, identity, global capitalism and international political theory. And you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about specific areas of expertise at Sussex. These include the study of visual anthropology, journalism and the media, urban life, gender, race and sexuality, and international relations perspectives on development, neoliberalism, foreign policy and security.
#### Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and one-to-one meetings, as well as other activities including film screenings.
40%: Lecture\ 40%: Seminar\ 10%: Practical\ 10%: One-to-one
#### Assessment
Assessment methods typically include longer-form essays, and practical exercises such as learning diaries, multimedia projects and field research reports.
#### Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 190 hours of contact time and about 1,010 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. - Experience Year
### Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
### Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid - Year 3 at Sussex
### Your modules
#### Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
##### Autumn teaching
- Anthropology in the World: Theory, Knowledge, Action (and back again)
- Anti-Colonial Worldmaking and Alternative Futures
- Death, Dying and the Corpse
- Decolonial Movements
- Environment and Development in World Politics
- Global Work Experience
- Human Rights
- Living Geopolitics: Re-Thinking the World (Dis) Order
- Palestine and the International
- Religions in Global Politics
- Slavery, Emancipation and Legacies
- The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
- Visualising War: Image, Media, and Culture
##### Autumn and spring teaching
##### Spring teaching
- British Foreign Relations: Through Empire and Beyond
- Critical Hope in Global Health: From Big Pharma to Local Wellbeing
- Data Analysis for Global Challenges
- Development, Business and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Embodied Minds: Culture, Politics, and Psychotherapy
- Ethical Worlds
- Global South Asia
- Global Supply Chains: Making an (un)sustainable world?
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Political Ecology and Environmental Justice
- Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
- Race, Ethnicity and Identity
- The Arms Trade and Global (In)securities
- Violence, militarism & (anti)colonialism: Transnational feminist and queer perspectives
### Your degree
The final year is all about flexibility. You’ll have the opportunity to choose from specialist options including work experience. All our options explore pressing global issues and are underpinned by the research being conducted at Sussex now. Our research focuses on global challenges relating to the environment and development, human rights, geopolitics, violence and armed groups, slavery and inequality, death and dying, the place of religion in global politics, and ethics. You can also choose to work on a research project and explore a topic you’re passionate about.
#### Teaching
Teaching methods typically include interactive workshops, and one-to-one meetings.
80%: Practical\ 20%: One-to-one
#### Assessment
Assessment methods typically include dissertations, and practical outputs such as podcasts and policy briefings, or an extended research-based thesis.
#### Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 130 hours of contact time and about 1,070 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Spirit of Sussex Award
Feel involved in life at the University, make friends and enrich your experience with us – the Spirit of Sussex Award is our way of recognising your extracurricular and voluntary achievements.
Find out more about the Spirit of Sussex Award
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Students across the Sussex community are already earning their points
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Head over to the website to start your Spirit of Sussex journey.
Text: The Spirit of Sussex Award is an exciting new programme designed to recognise and celebrate the things you do outside your course.
Participating in the Award makes it easy and fun for you to get involved and make the most of university life.
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Our experts
Anthropology at Sussex equips students with the skills to navigate in a just and fair way the evermore complex world we collectively inhabit.”Professor Magnus Marsden\ Professor of Social Anthropology\
Anthropology
Dr Syeda Sana Batool
Assistant Professor in Anthropology
View profile of Syeda Sana Batool
Dr Paul Boyce
Reader in Anthropology and International Development
Dr Gareth Breen
Assistant Professor in Dpt Anthropology
Dr Stuart Cartland
Assistant Professor in Global Studies
View profile of Stuart Cartland
Prof Geert De Neve
Head of School - Global Studies Asian Studies
Dr Diana Ibanez-Tirado
Associate Professor in Social Anthropology
View profile of Diana Ibanez-Tirado
Dr Emrah Karakus
Ass.Professor in Social Anthropology
Prof Pamela Kea
Professor of Social Anthropology
Dr Evan Killick
Reader in Anthropology and International Development
Prof Magnus Marsden
Professor Of Social Anthropology
View profile of Magnus Marsden
Dr James McMurray
Lecturer in Social Anthropology
View profile of James McMurray
Dr Karis Jade Petty
Assistant Professor in Anthropology
View profile of Karis Jade Petty
Dr Rebecca Prentice
Associate Professor in Anthropology and International Development
View profile of Rebecca Prentice
Prof Maya Unnithan
Professor 0f Social And Medical Anthropology
Dr Alice Wilson
Associate Professor in Anthropology
International Relations
Prof Gurminder Bhambra
Professor of Historical Sociology
View profile of Gurminder Bhambra
Dr Andrea Brock
Assistant Professor in International Relations
Prof Lara Montesinos Coleman
Professor of International Law, Ethics and Political Economy
View profile of Lara Montesinos Coleman
Dr Ida Danewid
Associate Professor in Gender & Global Political Economy
Dr Synne Dyvik
Associate Professor In International Relations
Dr Julian Germann
Associate Professor in International Relations
View profile of Julian Germann
Dr David Karp
Associate Professor In International Relations
Dr Samuel Knafo
Associate Professor in International Relations
Prof Peter Newell
Professor of International Relations
Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Associate Professor
View profile of Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Dr Faiz Sheikh
Assistant Professor in International Relations
Prof Anna Stavrianakis
Professor of International Relations
View profile of Anna Stavrianakis
Dr Linda Tabar
Associate Professor in Global Insecurities
Careers
- 86% of Sussex undergraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)
Your International Relations and Anthropology degree develops your communication, analytical and cultural awareness skills.
You could go into graduate jobs at multinational companies, national and international organisations, and employers such as:
- the Civil Service and government
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- charities and voluntary organisations.
You also benefit from our specialised career events. At these events, you can meet employers and find out more about UK and international graduate jobs.
Recent events have included advice sessions on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme and NGO opportunities.
Where do our graduates work now?
Surveyed 15 months after finishing their courses, our recent graduates from the Department of International Relations worked for employers including:
- Civil Service
- Goldman Sachs
- Hong Kong Government
- IBM
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- PwC
- Sky News
- Department for Business & Trade
- The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam
- United Nations Foundation.
Surveyed 15 months after finishing their courses, our recent graduates from the Department of Anthropology worked for employers including:
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2022)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
- our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations such as Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, the Knepp Rewilding Project, and fashion brand Puig
- one-to-one appointments with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
- entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you
- Winner Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024
- Winner Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024
- Top 50 Best Universities for Work Experience in the UK 2025 Higherin Awards
Entry requirements
A-level
| Typical offer | ABB |
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
| Extended Project Qualification | We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us |
Additional UK qualifications
Access to HE Diploma
| Typical offer | Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 24 credits at Distinction |
| Subjects | Humanities or social sciences. |
Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes)
| Typical offer | M1 M2 M2 If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade A at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U. |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level
| Typical offer | Grade B in A-level and Distinction, Distinction in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. |
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels
| Typical offer | Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. |
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)
| Typical offer | DDM |
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Scottish Highers
| Typical offer | AABBB |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
| Typical offer | ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels |
| GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
European Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | Overall result of at least 77%. |
Additional international qualifications
Australia
| Typical offer | Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 88% to 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 4 to 5 or better. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Austria
| Typical offer | Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 2.0 to 2.2 or better for first-year entry. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Belgium
| Typical offer | Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bulgaria
| Typical offer | Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects). |
Canada
| Typical offer | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AABBB-BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses. We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
| Typical offer | If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects. We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution. The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Croatia
| Typical offer | Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4 and 4.2 |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
| Typical offer | Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Czech Republic
| Typical offer | Maturita with a good overall average. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
| Typical offer | Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Finland
| Typical offer | Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
| Typical offer | French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20. |
Germany
| Typical offer | German Abitur with an overall result of 2.0 to 2.2 or better. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Greece
| Typical offer | Apolytirion with an overall average of between 18 and 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
| Typical offer | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 4, 4 to 4, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis |
Hungary
| Typical offer | Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544 |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
| Typical offer | Standard XII results for entry into 1st year (depending on board and course choice): - 70%-80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE) - 70%-80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE) - 70%-80% Maharashtra HSC Higher Secondary Certificate - 70%-80% Tamil Nadu Board of Higher Secondary Education - 70%-80% Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board - 70%-80% Telangana State Board of Secondary Education - 70%-80% Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education - 80% Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education - 80% Bihar School Examination Board - 80% Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board - 70% West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education We will also consider students for entry into our integrated foundation years with 60+% |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
| Typical offer | Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ireland
| Typical offer | Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 to H2,H2,H2,H3,H3. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis |
Israel
| Typical offer | For first year entry at least 80% (or 8/10) in at least 6 subjects, including one 5 unit subject, in one sitting of the Bagrut. |
Italy
| Typical offer | Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 78/100 and 81/100. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
| Typical offer | Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kazakhstan
| Typical offer | Applicants with Nazarbayev Intellectuals Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate may be considered. Thegrades in the offer will match the published A level requirements for each course. |
| Additional requirements | Where courses have specific subject requirements, these will be expected to be studied at Advanced level. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Latvia
| Typical offer | Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lithuania
| Typical offer | Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80% in at least three state examinations (other than English). |
Luxembourg
| Typical offer | Pass the Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires with between 43-46 points overall. |
Malaysia
| Typical offer | at least Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B4 (70%) from 6 subjects. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Netherlands
| Typical offer | Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7. |
Nigeria
| Typical offer | You are expected to have one of the following: - Higher National Diploma - One year at a recognised Nigerian University - Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria - Advanced Diploma You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
| Typical offer | Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
| Typical offer | You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Poland
| Typical offer | Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile. |
Portugal
| Typical offer | Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 16/20 and 17/20. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Romania
| Typical offer | Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average between 8.0 and 8.5 |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
| Typical offer | Applicants who have good grades in the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami (Certificate of Secondary Education) and who have successfully completed the first year of a Russian University degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0, will be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree courses. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
| Typical offer | A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovakia
| Typical offer | Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average above 2.0 from 4 subjects. |
Slovenia
| Typical offer | Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
| Typical offer | National Senior Certificate with very good grades. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
| Typical offer | Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result between 7.5 and 8.0. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sri Lanka
| Typical offer | Sri Lankan A-levels. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sweden
| Typical offer | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects. |
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
| Typical offer | Federal Maturity Certificate. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
| Typical offer | We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
USA
| Typical offer | We look at your full profile considering everything you are studying, including the High School Graduation Diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades and AP tests. We expect to see a combination of these qualifications. Alongside your High School Graduation Diploma, we would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores with either, a combined SAT test score (evidence-based reading and writing and mathematics) of 1300, or a combined ACT score of 26 AP and SAT Subject tests Please check the individual course pages for our typical A-level offer and see below for the corresponding scores we would require from AP test scores: | --- | --- | A Level requirements | AP test grades | AAA | |||||
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
My country is not listed
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component
Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.
Other English language requirements
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced.
We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency.
We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.
Pearson (PTE Academic)
59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills.
Check your Pearson (PTE Academic) qualification meets all of our language requirements
Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic).
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
TOEFL (iBT)
80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.
Check your TOEFL qualification meets all of our language requirements
Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language (grade 6 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% or Grade 3
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A – C in English
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exempt countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada**
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
English language support
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course
Additional admissions information
| Transfers into Year 2 | Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year. |
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:
If you don't have the required language skills for this course you could consider the International Study Centre. The ISC offers a range of foundation courses in combination with English language teaching.
Fees
Home students
£9,535 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
£9,535 per year
In 2025/26, fees for Home students and Channel Islands and Isle of Man students are £9,535 per year. The University of Sussex keeps fees for Home students and Channel Islands and Isle of Man students in line with UK Government-approved levels. These have not yet been confirmed for 2026/27. In line with our terms and conditions, the University charges fees at the maximum levels set by the UK Government.
The UK Government has announced its intention to increase the tuition fee cap for the 2026/27 year. For more information see the UK Government’s web page.
International students
£23,500 per year
Study abroad
Find out about grants and funding, tuition fees and insurance costs for studying abroad
Placement
Find out about tuition fees for placements
Additional costs
Note about additional costs
Additional costs to your tuition fees may include field trips, equipment, materials, bench fees or studio hire. These costs are best estimates based on current market values which we review each year. These costs may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances where the University has limited control such as a change in a service provider or government guidance. We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if there is any change to these costs. We will also tell you if these costs are mandatory for passing your course or optional. Find out how to budget for student life.
Field trips
This course may involve optional excursions, such as one-day museum visits or field trips. Where possible, these are subsidised by the University.
Living costs
We know the rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind, and affects us all in different ways. Our guide to living costs has been designed to help you plan and budget for life as a Sussex student.
Learn more about typical living costs
Scholarships
Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.
£5,000 in the first year of full-time study
Find out more - Climate Leaders Scholarship
£3,000 cash per year of full time study.
Scholarships recipients will be supported to develop a high level project plan and provided with mentoring support.
Find out more - Sanctuary Scholarship (Undergraduate)
- Full 'Overseas' tuition fee waiver
- £16,440 per year of undergraduate study (up to 4 years)
- Sussexsport membership
- Guaranteed continuation of housing
Find out more - Sussex Bursary
£1,000 in your first year of study (either Year 1 or Foundation Year).
£500 in your subsequent years of study.
Find out more - Sussex Pakistan Scholarship (Undergraduate)
£4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees
Find out more - Sussex Turkey Scholarship (Undergraduate)
£4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees
Find out more - Undergraduate Enrichment Award
£6,000 over 3 years of study
Contact us
Ask a student
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Enquiries
Contact us with any questions about your course:
+44 (0)1273 876787\ Ask us a question
Find out more about the Department of International Relations
Prospectus
What do you want to do next?
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Legal information
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Find out about our complaints and appeals process
A-level - contextual offer
BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer
Grade C in A-level and Distinction, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma) - contextual offer
DMM