Department of Geography
Join the Department of Geography at the University of Sussex and become part of a dynamic and inclusive academic community.
About the department
The Department of Geography, formed in 1962, has thirty academic members of faculty, as well as post-doctoral researchers covering the whole range of human, physical and environmental geography. You’ll cover a truly global range of issues, taught by experts in the field.
Studying Geography
The Department of Geography combines world-leading expertise across human and physical geography with ambitious global field trips, a unique interdisciplinary learning experience, and a vibrant learning community, all set against the stunning backdrop of Brighton and the South Downs National Park.
As a Geography student or researcher at Sussex, you’ll learn from world-leading academics who are committed to understanding global issues and developing solutions from a variety of perspectives including environmentally, socially, politically, economically and culturally.
We believe that learning shouldn’t only happen in a lecture hall and that understanding the world requires engagement with it. We bring geographical issues to life in how we teach and research, whether that be through getting out into the field in year 1 and 2 on fieldwork or collaborating with experts on the geographical research they are conducting.
Undergraduate study
As a Geography undergraduate student at Sussex, you can focus exclusively on our single honours degrees e.g. BSc Geography or BA Geography or study Geography as a joint honours degree with International Development, International Relations or, combine it with a language.
We also offer an exciting combination BSc Geography degree with a focus on the two challenges of Sustainable Development and Climate Change.
Whichever degree you choose, you will be able to develop a pathway that matches your interests and passions. We will support you every step of the way – from succeeding in the classroom to gaining practical experience for your future career.
See our undergraduate Geography courses
Postgraduate study
We offer both Masters courses and PhD degrees for postgraduate students interested in studying Geography further. You will join a vibrant postgraduate community in the School of Global Studies and can take advantage of our research and postgraduate teaching links with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU).
We offer a wide range of Masters courses, from Climate Change Development and Policy to Migration and Global Development or Food and Development, alongside a wide range of interdisciplinary options. Our courses are flexible and designed to be tailored to your interests – and can be studied part-time allowing you to fit your studies around your work and life commitments.
See our postgraduate Geography courses
Flexibility and choice
From philosophy to law, and modern languages to life sciences, you can take electives from other subjects to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests. Alongside your studies, get involved with the student-led prize-winning GeogSoc. It’s one of the largest societies on campus! They organise social events, trips abroad, talks from guest speakers as well as providing peer support.
As a Geography student at Sussex, you will:
- learn about topics from migration and development to conflict, inequality, geomorphology, urban development, sustainability, and climate change
- obtain cultural agility and a global perspective through our excellent choice of global field-trip destinations – recent trips include Los Angeles, China, Greece, the Mojave desert, and Corsica
- engage with experts who work directly on issues of sustainability and climate action
- obtain practical laboratory skills, quantitative and qualitative skills inside and outside of the classroom with exposure to various types of fieldwork
- be supported in your own research in your final year on the geography issues that you are most passionate about.
Global careers
Studying Geography at Sussex gives you a pathway into numerous different organisations due to its broad scope, but you will also gain a range of skills and knowledge to both find what you want to do in the world and help you get there.
We will equip you to engage with some of the world’s most pressing contemporary issues such as climate change, migration, inequality and sustainability. You will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to change the world for the better, whether you choose to become a policymaker, NGO worker, environmental consultant, or wherever you find yourself in your future career.