Anthropology and International Development BA (Hons)

Study how development interventions affect communities and cultural change world-wide. Develop skills to kick-start your career.

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This course is available in Clearing.

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Key information

Why choose this course at Sussex?

  • Develop sought-after skills for a career making a positive difference, preparing for diverse industries including media, journalism, international development or charities.
  • Combine complimentary subjects to gain a deeper critical understanding of the global development processes.
  • Benefit from expert teaching and specialist career support, building employable skills to navigate workplace challenges and kickstart your career.

This course will give you an in-depth understanding of global cultures and processes of social change. You’ll be able to grasp your place in the world and gain the tools to make a difference.

This course is a 50/50 split between the two subject areas. What you learn in one subject complements and enhances what you learn in the other. This interdisciplinary approach will give you a deeper critical understanding of the global processes of development and change. You will learn to:

  • understand the key concepts shaping anthropological and developmental thinking
  • challenge simplistic understandings of what development is, who it is for and who does it
  • appreciate the causes of poverty and inequality from a global justice perspective
  • understand how development practitioners, policymakers, social movements and communities are responding to new challenges
  • to design creative and innovative alternatives to our existing systems.

You’ll learn from leading experts who influence debates on topics such as gender relations, migration, inequality, health and sustainability. You’ll study how people across the globe tackle contemporary issues – from climate change to racial discrimination, gender-based violence and human rights.

You’ll graduate with a better understanding of development challenges and interventions that could create a more equal, just and sustainable global future. When you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills for employment in areas such as:

  • NGOs and global development organisations
  • media
  • international research organisations
  • charities
  • journalism.
Exploring theoretical, historical, economic and political approaches has helped me gain a well-rounded perspective. My course has given me the confidence to challenge theories and ideas.”Lily Worfolk
Anthropology and International Development BA

Anthropology and International Development BA at Sussex – Elen Hywel

How to apply

Campus tours

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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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Virtual tour

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Our 360° virtual tour has been designed to introduce you to life in our diverse, supportive and inclusive community. Join our students for an immersive experience as they reveal why Sussex offers a space to follow your passions, find your voice, and discover people and places that will inspire you.

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ResearchPlus

As a founding partner of ResearchPlus, a collaboration of research-focused universities, we engage with government, industry and civil society to support economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing across the whole of the UK.

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Modules

This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time. Find out more from our guide to undergraduate study

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

  • Video transcript

    Hi everyone! As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the Spirit of Sussex Award is now live.

    Students across the Sussex community are already earning their points

    What will you do to earn yours?

    There's so many ways to get involved.

    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.

Anthropology at Sussex

Anthropology really forces you to speak to everyday people and understand their lives, so that when we’re creating solutions to climate change, they don’t affect people negatively.” Maisie Farnham
Anthropology and International Development BA
  • Video transcript

    Maisie: So, my favourite thing about studying at Sussex is definitely how closely the International Development Department is related to the Anthropology Department. [Umm] Sussex is the first in the world for International Development, and, [umm], I really think its closeness to the Anthropology Department is what makes it so special... [umm] because when you’re talking about these big issues like climate change and poverty that really affect people’s lives, [umm], it can be very easy... to forget... [umm] to speak to the actual people who are affected by these issues. And Anthropology really forces you to speak to everyday people, and understand their lives, so that when we’re creating solutions to climate change, they don’t affect people negatively.

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Our experts

By putting human diversity at the heart of their endeavours, anthropologists help to make the world safer and more inclusive. 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
Head of the Department of Anthropology

Anthropology

International Development

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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)

Specialist career support is an integral part of this course. In collaboration with partners and alumni, we offer bespoke training sessions designed to help you build the skills employers value, navigate workplace challenges, and confidently plan your career.

With a deep and empathetic understanding of people and cultures, and strong abilities in research, analysis and communication, our graduates are well prepared for a range of rewarding careers. The degree opens doors to influential and meaningful roles in research, government, media, the charity sector, international development, heritage, education and business – in the UK and around the world.

Where do our graduates work now?

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

I’m proud to have created a network of people who are supporting and uplifting others.”Berta Santos
Founder and Director, Social Impact Newbie
Read Berta’s story

Career ambitions – Fred Henderson, Anthropology BA

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

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Entry requirements

Find your place in Clearing

This course will be available in Clearing. Explore your options at Sussex – right here, right now.

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Fees

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Home students

£9,790 per year

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

£9,790 per year

On 19 March 2026 the UK Parliament set out that the tuition fee cap for 2026 entry will be £9,790. As the University of Sussex keeps fees for Home students and Channel Islands and Isle of Man students in line with UK Government-approved levels, fees will be £9,790 in 2026. In line with our terms and conditions, the University charges fees at the maximum levels set by the UK Government.

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.

How to apply

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Enquiries

Contact us with any questions about your course:

+44 (0)1273 876787
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Find out more about the Department of Anthropology

Prospectus

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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 terms and conditions, including the student code of conduct and your cancellation rights

Find out about our complaints and appeals process

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