- 4th in the UK for our research impact in Philosophy in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- 8th in the UK for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
By combining Philosophy and Sociology, you'll gain the skills to critically analyse today’s society, and to tackle its biggest issues.
Philosophy encourages you to consider universal questions about human behaviour. In Sociology, you look at how they’re dealt with now in our legal, political and cultural systems.
Your studies of both subjects take a progressive approach. You’re taught by expert researchers who influence ground-breaking debate. And you join a community that is philosophically and politically engaged.
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.
Studying Philosophy at Sussex has been a great experience. I love debating with other students in seminars.”Lauren Trott
Philosophy 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Ancient Philosophy
- Beyond the Vote: Citizenship and Participation in Sociology
- Class, Culture & Conflict: A View from The Inside
- Epistemology
- Feminist Philosophy
- Health across the Lifecourse
- Kant
- Philosophy of Mind
- Resistance Movements in Conflict & War
- Sociology of Emotions and Mental Health
- Classical Sociological Theory
- Education and Inequality
- Health across the Lifecourse
- Metaphysics
- Migration and Integration (Spr)
- Phenomenology
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Race
- Philosophy of Science
- Sociology in a Digital World (Spr)
- Sociology of Emotions and Mental Health
- 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
- Ethics
- Identity and Interaction
- Islamic Philosophy
- Migration, Identity, and Home
- Modern European Philosophy
- Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
- Sexualities / Intimacies / Intersections (Aut)
- Sociology Research Proposal
- The Body (Aut)
- The Cultural Life of Capital Punishment (Aut)
- The Politics of Race in Europe
- Transcendence, Devotion and Desire
- Alternative Societies (Spr)
- Capitalism, Growth, and Ecological Crisis
- Medicine and the Body
- Sexualities / Intimacies / Intersections (Spring)
- Sociology Project
- Surveillance, Technology and Control
- The Body (Spr)
- The Politics of Race in Europe
- Themes in Analytic Philosophy
- Themes in Language, Truth and Literature
- Themes in Post-Kantian Philosophy
- Themes in Social and Political Philosophy
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
I often start by thinking about a small question. I try to get really precise about it. And then I build from there with the aim of arriving at a general view.”Dr Corine Besson
Lecturer in Philosophy
Philosophy
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
By taking a Philosophy and Sociology degree at Sussex, you’ll develop key skills in communication, research, critical thinking and analytical skills.
This means you are prepared for a range of jobs including careers in the Civil Service, government, health and social welfare, or public and human relations.
Outside the classroom, you can join our student-run Philosophy Society where you:
- get involved in philosophical debates
- attend talks by visiting speakers
- network with other philosophy students.
What to do with a Philosophy degree
Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in Philosophy
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