International Relations and Sociology BA : University of Sussex

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Key information

Duration:: 3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:: ABB-BBB
Contextual A-level offer:: BBC-BCC
UCAS code:: LL2H
Start date:: September 2022

7th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022)
11th in the UK for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021)

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’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, we may need to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

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

How to apply

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A-level

Typical offer	ABB-BBB
Contextual offer	BBC-BCC Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
Extended Project Qualification	We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer	Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 21-24 credits at Distinction
Subjects	Humanities or social sciences.

Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)

Typical offer	M1 M2 M2 If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade A at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U.
GCSEs	You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Typical offer

M1 M2 M2

If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade A at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us.

If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U.

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer	30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level

Typical offer	Grade B in A-level and DD in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Contextual offer	Grade B in A-level and DM in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Typical offer

Grade B in A-level and DD in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.

Contextual offer

Grade B in A-level and DM in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Typical offer	Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Contextual offer	Grades BC in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Typical offer

Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.

Contextual offer

Grades BC in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)

Typical offer	DDM-DMM
Contextual offer	DMM Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Typical offer

DDM-DMM

Contextual offer

DMM

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Scottish Highers

Typical offer	AABBB-ABBBB

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

Typical offer	ABB-BBB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels
GCSEs	You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer	30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer	Overall result of at least 75% to 77%.

Other international qualifications

Australia

Typical offer	Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 88% to 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 4 to 5 or better.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Austria

Typical offer	Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 2.0 to 2.2 or better for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Belgium

Typical offer	Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bulgaria

Typical offer	Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects).

Canada

Typical offer	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AABBB-BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses. We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses.

British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AABBB-BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses.

We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Typical offer	If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects. We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution. The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects.

We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution.

The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex.

Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Croatia

Typical offer	Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4 and 4.2
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Typical offer	Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Czech Republic

Typical offer	Maturita with a good overall average.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Typical offer	Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Finland

Typical offer	Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Typical offer	French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20.

Germany

Typical offer	German Abitur with an overall result of 2.0 to 2.2 or better.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Typical offer	Apolytirion with an overall average of between 18 and 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Typical offer	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 4, 4 to 4, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis

Hungary

Typical offer	Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Typical offer	Standard XII results 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE) 80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE) 80% HSC higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

Standard XII results

80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)
80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)
80% HSC higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Typical offer	Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ireland

Typical offer	Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 to H2,H2,H2,H3,H3.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis

Israel

Typical offer	For first year entry at least 80% (or 8/10) in at least 6 subjects, including one 5 unit subject, in one sitting of the Bagrut.

Italy

Typical offer	Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 78/100 and 81/100.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Typical offer	Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Latvia

Typical offer	Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lithuania

Typical offer	Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80-90% in at least three state examinations (other than English).
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Luxembourg

Typical offer	Pass the Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires with between 43-46 points overall.

Malaysia

Typical offer	Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of ABB-BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B3 (75%).
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Netherlands

Typical offer	Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7.

Typical offer

Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7.

Nigeria

Typical offer	You are expected to have one of the following: Higher National Diploma One year at a recognised Nigerian University Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria Advanced Diploma You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

You are expected to have one of the following:

Higher National Diploma
One year at a recognised Nigerian University
Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria
Advanced Diploma

You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English.

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Typical offer	Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Typical offer	You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Typical offer

You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies.

You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Poland

Typical offer	Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile.

Typical offer

Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile.

Portugal

Typical offer	Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 16/20 and 17/20.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Romania

Typical offer	Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average between 8.0 and 8.5
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Typical offer	Applicants who have good grades in the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami (Certificate of Secondary Education) and who have successfully completed the first year of a Russian University degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0, will be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree courses.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Typical offer	A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Slovakia

Typical offer	Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average above 2.0 from 4 subjects.

Typical offer

Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average above 2.0 from 4 subjects.

Slovenia

Typical offer	Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Typical offer	National Senior Certificate with very good grades.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Typical offer	Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result between 7.5 and 8.0.
Additional requirements	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Typical offer	Sri Lankan A-levels.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sweden

Typical offer

Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Typical offer	Federal Maturity Certificate.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Typical offer

We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1.

USA

Typical offer

We look at your full profile taking into account everything you are studying, including the high school graduation diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades We are particularly interested in AP tests and would ideally like to see three good AP scores.

Advanced Placement Tests with scores of between 5,4,4 to 4,4,4 in three subjects.

If you have taken the SAT reasoning tests we'd normally expect a combined score of at least 1300 and will look for around 600 in relevant subject tests.

If you've taken the ACT we'd expect to see a composite score of at least 26.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill

Check your Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill

Check your Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency.

Duolingo English test

105 overall, with no component score below 90

Check your Duolingo English test qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Duolingo English test

Pearson (PTE Academic)

59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills.

Check your Pearson (PTE Academic) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic).

TOEFL (iBT)

80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.

Check your TOEFL qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% or Grade 3

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A – C in English

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

Admissions information for applicants

Transfers into Year 2	Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

Social Sciences (with a foundation year) BA (Hons)

If you don't have the required language skills for this course you could consider the International Study Centre. The ISC offers a range of foundation courses in combination with English language teaching.

How to apply

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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 about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Year 1 at Sussex
Year 2 at Sussex
Study abroad or Placement
Year 3 at Sussex

We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2022/23. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, or due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints. The structure of some courses means that the modules you choose first may determine whether later modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown below.

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.

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

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.

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

Doing Social Research: working with qualitative data

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.

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

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

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: 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.

Autumn teaching

Spring teaching

How to apply

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Our staff

International Relations

Dr Nadya Ali

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Prof Gurminder Bhambra

Professor of Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies

View profile of Gurminder Bhambra

Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman

Reader in International Relations, Law and Development

View profile of Lara Montesinos Coleman

Dr Synne Dyvik

Senior Lecturer In International Relations

View profile of Synne Dyvik

Dr Julian Germann

Senior Lecturer in International Relations

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Prof Beate Jahn

Professor of International Relations

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Dr David Karp

Senior Lecturer In International Relations

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Dr Samuel Knafo

Reader in International Relationsns

View profile of Samuel Knafo

Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit

Senior Lecturer

View profile of Melanie Richter-Montpetit

Prof Justin Rosenberg

Professor of International Relations

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Prof Anna Stavrianakis

Professor of International Relations

View profile of Anna Stavrianakis

Sociology

Dr Jamie Barnes

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

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Prof Gerard Delanty

Professor of Sociology and Social Political Thought

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Dr Aneira Edmunds

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

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Dr Ben Fincham

Reader in Sociology

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Dr Nina Held

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Dr Aleksandra Lewicki

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

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Dr Gillian Love

Lecturer

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Prof Karen Lowton

Professor in Sociology (Ageing and Health)

View profile of Karen Lowton

Prof Luke Martell

Teaching Fellow in Sociology

View profile of Luke Martell

Prof Jo Moran-Ellis

Head of School LPS

View profile of Jo Moran-Ellis

Dr Laura Morosanu

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

View profile of Laura Morosanu

Prof Alison Phipps

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Dr Carli Rowell

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Prof Susie Scott

Professor of Sociology

View profile of Susie Scott

Dr Kathryn Telling

Lecturer in Sociology

View profile of Kathryn Telling

Dr Daniel Whillis

Lecturer in Sociology

View profile of Daniel Whillis

Dr Catherine Will

Reader in the Sociology of Science and Technology

View profile of Catherine Will

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Fees

Home students:: £9,250 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:: £9,250 per year
International students:: £18,500 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

Note that your fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis as the Government reviews the fee levels.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

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.

Article 26 Scholarship
- Full international tuition fee waiver
- £11,500 maintenance per year of undergraduate study (up to 4 years)
- Sussexsport membership
Find out more
Chancellor's International Scholarships

£5,000 per year of full time study

Find out more
Climate Leaders Scholarship

£3,000 cash per year of full time study

Successful applicants are also provided with mentoring support and invited to co-organise an annual event to engage and educate students and the wider community in tackling the climate crisis.

Find out more
Dr John Birch Music Scholarship (Organ)

£800 cash award. In addition, the selected recipient will receive access to the music practice rooms in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH). All applicants who reach the audition stage, regardless of the success of their application, will be offered the opportunity to be part of a list of performers who are willing to perform at events around campus or are interested in collaboration with other musicians.

Find out more
Dr John Birch Music Scholarships

£800 cash award. In addition, scholars will receive access to the music practice rooms in the School of Media, Arts and Humanities (MAH). All applicants who reach the audition stage, regardless of the success of their application, will be offered the opportunity to be part of a list of performers who are willing to perform at events around campus or are interested in collaboration with other musicians.

Find out more
Sports Scholarships Scheme

Recipients of the scholarship can receive between £500-£1,250 per year as well as a range of other benefits.

Find out more
Sussex Bursary (2022/2023)

£1,000 in your first year of study (either Year 1 or Foundation Year).

£500 in subsequent years.

Find out more

How to apply

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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 Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

How to apply

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International Relations and Sociology BA (Hons)

Key information

Open Days and virtual visits

Entry requirements

A-level

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)

International Baccalaureate

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)

Scottish Highers

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

International Baccalaureate

European Baccalaureate

Other international qualifications

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

India

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Netherlands

Nigeria

Norway

Pakistan

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

USA

My country is not listed

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

Duolingo English test

Pearson (PTE Academic)

TOEFL (iBT)

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

GCE O-level

GCSE or IGCSE

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education