- 1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
- 9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- =9th in the UK or Political Sciences (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)
You’ll join one of the largest dedicated International Relations departments in the world, and an academic community that enjoys a world reputation for being a leading centre for Development Studies in the world.
You’ll learn from experts driving debates and influencing policy – on topics such as peace-building, migration, human rights, humanitarian emergencies, global health, food security, poverty, financial instability and climate change.
Outside the classroom, you gain insights into global issues through field trips and international placements. You’ll even have the opportunity to shape our research agenda by participating in our International Development and International Relations societies.
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.
We have a lot of say in how and what we learn. I see that as a life skill. If you don’t know how to think critically, you don’t know how to live.”Tamima Chowdhury
International Relations and Development BA
Read Tamima’s story
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.
- Colonialism and After
- Global Development Paradigms, Policy and Politics
- Introduction to International Relations
- The Rise of the Modern International Order
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.
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.
- Academic Communication for International Relations 1
- Economic Perspectives on Development
- Social Change, Culture and Development
- Academic Communication for International Relations 2
- Development and the State
- Environmental Perspectives on Development
- Gender and Development: Theory, Concepts and Issues
- Health, Poverty and Inequality
- International Education and Development
- Race, Ethnicity and Nationalism
- Security and Insecurity in Global Politics
- The Liberal World Order - in Crisis
- The Politics of Foreign Policy
- The Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism
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.
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
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
- Cultures of Colonialism
- Development, Business and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Disasters, Environment and Development
- Disease, Diplomacy and Development
- Disease, Diplomacy and Development
- East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
- East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
- Environment and Development in World Politics
- Finance and Power
- Geographies of Rising and Declining Powers
- Global Work Experience
- Hope for health: Disease, development and society
- Human Rights
- Mobilities and Global Inequalities
- Palestine and the International
- Palestine and the International
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Refugees, Migrants and Religion
- Religions in Global Politics
- Religions in Global Politics
- Slavery, Emancipation and Legacies
- The Anthropology of Geopolitics
- The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
- What is War
- Anthropology of the Body
- Class, Community, Nation
- Colonialism and Modern Social Theory
- Critical Perspectives on Conflict and Violence
- Decolonial Movements
- Designing Alternatives for Development
- Education, Justice & Liberation
- Environmental Anthropology
- From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technologies, and Global Insecurity
- Global Food Security
- Global Politics of Food
- Global Politics of Food
- Global Resistance: Contesting Capital and Coloniality
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- International Relations of the Modern Middle East
- Political Ecology and Environmental Justice
- Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence
- Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
- Race, Gender and Global Capitalism
- Race, Gender and Global Capitalism
- Whose Histories Matter? Doing Decolonial Heritage and National Identities
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.
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
International Development
Prof Grace Carswell
Professor of Geography and International Development
Prof Anne-Meike Fechter
Professor of Anthropology and International Development
Dr Lyndsay McLean
Reader in Anthropology and International Development
Prof Benjamin Selwyn
Professor of International Relations and International Development
International Relations
Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman
Reader in International Relations, Law and Development
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
Your International Relations and Development degree develops your communication, analytical and cultural awareness skills.
You could go into graduate jobs at multinational companies, national and international organisations, and employers such as:
- the Civil Service and government
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- charities and voluntary organisations.
You also benefit from our specialised career events. At these events, you can meet employers and find out more about UK and international graduate jobs.
Recent events have included advice sessions on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme and NGO opportunities.
Graduate destinations
Recent International Relations graduates have started jobs as:
- programmes administrator, International Rescue Committee
- consultant, UN Migration Agency
- project manager, American Express.
(Department of International Relations 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
Sussex introduced me to the essentials of what development means, in a way that had practical application throughout.Leah Cowan
Reporting, Grants and Communications Manager
Relief International