Geography and Anthropology BA (Hons)

Build an understanding of today’s global issues, from climate change to migration. Explore and develop practical solutions alongside field trips.

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This course will be available in Clearing.

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Key information

Why choose this course at Sussex?

  • Study the intersection between Geography and Anthropology and graduate with expertise employers look for in careers that are driving sustainable and equitable futures.
  • Explore people-place connections through the distinct geography on our doorstep, and field classes in the UK and abroad.
  • Apply your skills to real-world practice with our opportunities, including integrated internships, accelerator programmes, and placement or study abroad years.

From migration and mobility to inequality, identity and belonging, Geography and Anthropology at Sussex explores how place and the environment are deeply connected with cultures and human society, to understand and build more sustainable and equitable futures.

You’ll learn from faculty members driving real-world change. As a BA Geography and Anthropology student, you’ll focus on the intersection between Geography and Anthropology, exploring themes such as gender, race and racism, culture, religion, identity or the anthropology of the state, diplomacy and geopolitics.

At Sussex, you’ll study on a campus located between the between the sea and the city, a unique setting that gives you access to coastal environments, the bustling city of Brighton and the South Downs National Park.

We will take advantage of this location through our field trips, which are at the heart of the course. You’ll start local in your first year, then get the opportunity to explore internationally through our ambitious second year trips to destinations such as China, the Greek islands, Marseille and Corsica, Las Vegas and the Mojave Desert.

Throughout your degree, you’ll build a powerful analytical toolkit, from critical thinking to cultural awareness, research design and creative communication for different audiences. You can also boost your employability through integrated internships, digital and data accelerator programmes, and placement or study abroad years.

You’ll graduate with the skills employers demand: data literacy, cultural agility, and understanding of sustainability and development challenges.

A Sussex Geography and Anthropology degree helps you make sense of the world as it is, and reimagine how it could be.

I think what makes my experience at Sussex so valuable has been how knowledgeable and genuinely passionate every single one of my tutors and lecturers have been. It’s clear that they care so much, not only about the specialism that they teach, but also about their students in general.” Lani Houguez
Geography and Anthropology BA
How to apply

Campus tours

Join a campus tour this summer and get a feel for life at Sussex. With award-winning campus food, a National Park setting and buzzing Brighton on our doorstep, our location and facilities are hard to beat.

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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.

Find out about our beautiful campus

Virtual tour

Want to learn more about life at Sussex?

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.

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Our experts

I have used my research to inform the World Bank and UN climate policy. I bring that real-world experience into the classroom to equip students with the practical tools and conceptual understanding they need to shape climate action and sustainability.”Professor David Ockwell
Professor of Sustainability and International Development

Anthropology

Geography

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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)

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.

Where do our graduates work now?

Surveyed 15 months after finishing their courses, our recent graduates from the Department of Geography worked for employers including:

And 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 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 

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

£27,300 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.

Field classes

On this course, all students go on assessed field classes. You may opt for a 30-credit overseas field-class in the second year of this course. Locations change every year but recent destinations have included Dubai, the USA, China and Greece. Students pay for their airfares, while transfers, meals and accommodation are partly subsidised. Prices vary but the total cost to students usually ranges from £500 to £1,500. An initial deposit of £150 is required by semester 2 of year 1 for all overseas trips.

Alternatively, you can attend a 15-credit Southeast England field-class, which is subsidised by the University and free for students.

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

Contact us

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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 Geography

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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