A degree in international development from Sussex will train you to work in this burgeoning field, but also to understand the different visions of what 'development' can mean, and the many challenges to reducing poverty and inequality.
Why International Development at Sussex?
Our reputation: Sussex is one of the largest and longest-established centres of international development expertise in the world. Researchers from the Departments of Anthropology, Geography, International Relations, Economics, Sociology, and History all contribute to the degree courses.
Excellent teaching: our teaching encourages critical thinking and analysis. Lectures and seminars are complemented by activities that reflect many of the challenges of working in international development. Our undergraduate courses teach you about core concepts in international development, while also building on faculty research in key areas.
Excellent research: in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), on average 95 per cent of the research by faculty contributing to our degree programmes was rated as recognised internationally or higher. We have particular expertise in globalisation and economic change, migration, poverty, ethnicity and representation, gender, the environment, health, aid policy, corporate social responsibility and human rights.
Career opportunities: by encouraging intellectual curiosity and cultural agility, the School of Global Studies, in which you will be based, enhances your employability (British Council and Think Global: Survey of Senior Business Leaders, 2011). Our graduates work for government and in development agencies such as Oxfam and Save the Children, and many go on to exciting global careers. We stay in touch with our graduates, and many come back to talk with current students about how their careers have developed.
A great learning environment: our students are very active, both within and beyond the classroom. We support student initiatives such as the Student Development Society, student-organised seminars, and both international and local voluntary work. Our global perspective is reflected in the fact that our students come from around the world.
Overseas opportunities: Sussex encourages time overseas as part of your course. We have links with universities in China, Singapore, Mexico and India. The Nicola Anderson bursary, awarded competitively to international development students, provides financial support for overseas projects, usually undertaken in the summer vacation during the second and third years. Recent projects have included establishing a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Rwanda, training chefs in India, teaching in Tanzania, and delivering a course on football refereeing, also in East Africa.