- 3rd in the UK for our research impact in Geography and Environmental Studies in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- =12th in the UK for Anthropology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
- =16th in the UK for Geography (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
If you want to explore the relationship between communities, culture, society and the environment, this is the course for you.
You learn from leading experts, on topics ranging from migration to gender inequality.
We’re proud of our ambitious and adventurous programme of global field-trip destinations, recently including the Mojave Desert, Dubai, China and Greece. And even when you’re working closer to home, our setting – Brighton and the South Downs National Park – means you’ll learn both inside and outside the classroom.
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.
The lecturers and the infinite opportunities have kept me engaged constantly throughout my degree.” Sam Airey
Geography and Anthropology BA
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
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.
- Human Geographies of the Modern World
- Key Concepts in Anthropology
- Skills and Concepts in Geography I: Becoming a Geographer
- The Anthropological Imagination
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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.
- Ethnographic Research Methods
- Global Geographies of Economic Change
- Religion and Ritual
- Understanding Global Migration
Autumn teaching
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.
- Black Lives Matter: Postcolonial and Decolonial Representations
- Cities and Urban Lives
- Culture and Representation
- Environmental Perspectives on Development
- Ethnographic Field Research
- Geography Overseas Field Class
- Postcolonial Africa
- Social Geographies
- Southeast England Field Class
- Visual Anthropology
Spring teaching
Field trips
Get involved in fieldwork from the start of your course. You develop research, analytical and team-working skills in regions where our academics actively conduct research.
In Year 2, you can pick from an exciting range of locations: current destinations include China, the Mojave Desert, Dubai and Los Angeles. There is also a UK-based field trip.
Find out more about Geography field trips at Sussex
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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
Beautiful nature, dog sledging in the Artic, Swedish 'fika', and a great social life. I could not have chosen better!”Georgia Donati Clarke
Geography BSc
Studied abroad in Sweden
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
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.
- Advanced Sustainable Development: Sustainability in Policy and Practice
- Anthropology of the Body
- Cultures of Colonialism
- Current Themes in the Anthropology of Latin America
- Death, Dying and the Corpse
- Development, Business and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Disasters, Environment and Development
- Environmental Protest: Past and Present
- Geographies of Money, Finance, and Debt
- Geographies of Rising and Declining Powers
- Human Rights
- Mobilities and Global Inequalities
- Refugees, Migrants and Religion
- Slavery, Emancipation and Legacies
- The Anthropology of Geopolitics
- Understanding Contemporary India
- Class, Community, Nation
- Cults, Conspiracies and Political Religion
- Decolonial Movements
- Environmental Anthropology
- Global Food Security
- Political Ecology and Environmental Justice
- Race, Ethnicity and Identity
- Re-Designing Life: Anthropological Approaches to New Biotechnologies
- The global and the intimate: home cultures, belonging and personal life
- Whose Histories Matter? Doing Decolonial Heritage and National Identities
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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
Our staff
I advise international policy organisations, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.”Professor David Ockwell
Professor of Geography
Anthropology
Geography
Prof David Ockwell
Professor of Sustainability and International development
Prof Divya Tolia-Kelly
Professor of Geography and Heritage Studies
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
On our Geography and Anthropology BA, you develop cultural awareness as well as research, numerical, analytical and resource-management skills. This means you can go on to careers in a wide range of sectors, including:
- international development and environmental conservation
- civil service and government
- media and journalism.
Throughout your degree, you will receive support from your department and the university careers and employability centre, and can attend specialist careers events and workshops.
Graduate destinations
Recent Geography graduates have gone on to jobs such as:
- policy and campaign manager, Wildlife and Countryside Link
-
emergency food security adviser, Oxfam
-
planning adviser, Environment Agency.
(Department of Geography careers database)
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
I wrote my dissertation about responsibility for workers in the garment industry and interned at Oxfam, leading me to work at the ETI.”Amelia Glynn
Business Adviser at the Ethical Trading Initiative