- 1st in the UK for our research impact in Sociology in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- 8th in the UK for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
- 9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
You’ll be based in one of the world’s largest dedicated International Relations departments. We pioneer new critical approaches to studying and tackling the major challenges facing our world today.
You’ll learn from experts driving debates and influencing policy on topics such as conflict and war, migration, human rights, social inequalities, racism, health, social exclusion, financial instability and climate change.
You’ll benefit from the vibrant and interdisciplinary environments in the School of Global Studies and the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.
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.
My lecturers are not only published academics in their field, but are also friendly, approachable people that are passionate about their subject and always excited to hear a student’s perspective on things.”Lucy Turk
International Relations 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.
- 21st Century Sociology
- Introduction to International Relations
- The Rise of the Modern International Order
- Themes and Perspectives in Sociology I
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.
- Contemporary International Theory
- Doing Social Research: working with quantitative data
- Introduction to International Political Economy
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.
- Beyond the Vote: Citizenship and Participation in Sociology
- Class, Culture & Conflict: A View from The Inside
- Health across the Lifecourse
- Resistance Movements in Conflict & War
- Sociology of Emotions and Mental Health
- Classical Sociological Theory
- Development and the State
- Education and Inequality
- Health across the Lifecourse
- Migration and Integration (Spr)
- Security and Insecurity in Global Politics
- Sociology in a Digital World (Spr)
- Sociology of Emotions and Mental Health
- The Liberal World Order - in Crisis
- The Politics of Foreign Policy
- The Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism
- The Sociology of Human Rights
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.
- Capitalism, Growth, and Ecological Crisis
- Disease, Diplomacy and Development
- East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
- Environment and Development in World Politics
- Finance and Power
- Global Work Experience
- Identity and Interaction
- Migration, Identity, and Home
- Palestine and the International
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Religions in Global Politics
- Sexualities / Intimacies / Intersections (Aut)
- Sociology Research Proposal
- The Body (Aut)
- The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment (Aut)
- The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
- The Politics of Race in Europe
- Transcendence, Devotion and Desire
- What is War
- Alternative Societies (Spr)
- Capitalism, Growth, and Ecological Crisis
- Colonialism and Modern Social Theory
- From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technologies, and Global Insecurity
- Global Politics of Food
- Global Resistance: Contesting Capital and Coloniality
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- International Relations of the Modern Middle East
- Medicine and the Body
- Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence
- Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
- Race, Gender and Global Capitalism
- Sexualities / Intimacies / Intersections (Spring)
- Sociology Project
- Surveillance, Technology and Control
- The Body (Spr)
- The Politics of Race in Europe
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 Relations
Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman
Reader in International Relations, Law and Development
Sociology
Dr Nina Held
Prof Catherine Will
Professor of the Sociology of Science and Technology
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
Develop communication, analytical and critical thinking skills with an International Relations and Sociology degree.
These skills mean you could go into graduate jobs within health and social welfare, and work for employers such as:
- the Civil Service and government
- non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- charities and voluntary organisations.
You'll also benefit from career events where you can meet employers, find out more about UK and international jobs, as well as graduate jobs, and get advice on applying for graduate schemes and preparing for assessment centres.
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