- 9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- =9th in the UK for Political Science (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)
- =18th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
By studying Politics and International Relations at Sussex, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of global issues. You’ll also be studying in Brighton, one of the UK’s most politically diverse cities.
You’ll learn from experts who are influencing debates of worldwide significance, from political corruption to global health policy.
You’ll put your knowledge into action by getting involved with our events. These feature influential speakers, including UK MPs and NATO representatives.
Internship
As a final-year student, you can apply for a competitive internship with a Westminster MP.
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.
I loved my Sussex experience. It encouraged the kind of analytical thinking that is invaluable in my work.”Fiona Woods
Politics and 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.
- British Political History
- Explanatory Concepts in Political Science
- 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.
Autumn 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.
- Capitalism and its Critics
- Communicating Politics
- Development and the State
- Political Systems and Institutions: Contesting Electoral Autocracy
- Political Systems and Issues: France
- Political Systems and Issues: Germany
- Political Systems and Issues: India
- Political Systems and Issues: International Institutions and Issues
- Political Systems and Issues: Ireland
- Political systems and issues: Italian Politics and Society
- Political Systems and Issues: The European Union
- Political Systems and Issues: Turkey
- Political Systems and Issues: USA
- Security and Insecurity in Global Politics
- The Liberal World Order - in Crisis
- The Politics of Foreign Policy
- The Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism
Spring teaching
Trips abroad
We organise trips to Germany and France so you can learn more about the current political scene and meet with politicians and academics there.
If you study German politics, you can go on a trip to Berlin to visit the German parliament for discussions with politicians from all major parties.
You also visit other prominent historical landmarks such as the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall.
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
I have come away more knowledgeable, more confident and with some excellent memories.”Michael Gray
Politics and International Relations BA
Studied abroad in South Korea
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 and Geopolitics
- Disease, Diplomacy and Development
- East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
- Electoral Autocracy and its Critics
- Environment and Development in World Politics
- Environmental politics in the Anthropocene
- Finance and Power
- Global Crisis and European Political Economy
- International Relations of the Modern Middle East
- Palestine and the International
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Political Change: Eastern Europe in Transition
- Political Change: Money, Power and Campaigns
- Political Change: Political Parties and Party Systems
- Political Change: The European Union as a Global Actor
- Political Change: The Politics of Euroscepticism
- Political Change: The Rise of Anti-politics
- Political Psychology
- Politics and International Business
- Politics from Below: Cooperation, Conflict and Resistance
- Religions in Global Politics
- The Arms Trade and Global (In)securities
- The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
- Trade, (De)Globalisation, and the New Mercantilism
- What is War
- Aesthetics in Global Politics
- Colonialism and Modern Social Theory
- Democracy and Inequality
- Feminism and Women's Political Activism in Britain
- From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technologies, and Global Insecurity
- Global Politics of Food
- Governing Technology
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- Immigration and the Liberal State
- Independent Study/Internship Option
- Islam and Global Politics
- Political Corruption
- Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence
- Populism and Politics
- Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
- The Neoliberal Age? Making Sense of Political and Social Change in Modern Britain
- The Politics of (Post-)Truth
- The Politics of Feeling
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.
Writer-in-Residence Scheme
Stephen Bush, the award-winning journalist, and columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times, is our Political Writer in Residence.
In this role, he’ll deliver a number of writing workshops for first-year Politics students. This gives you the opportunity to develop your skills as a political writer and to become an outstanding political communicator. Stephen will also provide personalised feedback on student blogs.
Working with students challenges me to think about how I write day to day. And with our archive right here at Sussex it couldn’t be a better fit.”Stephen Bush
Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times
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
Politics
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 studying a Politics and International Relations BA, you'll gain the analytical and research skills to work for multinational businesses, government and international organisations, or go into politics.
You could go on to jobs such as:
- parliamentary or think-tank researcher in the UK and UN civil services
- campaign manager for pressure groups or non-governmental organisations
- press or communications officer.
We also offer sessions to help you apply for UK and international graduate schemes and jobs in the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Graduate destinations
Recent Department of Politics graduates have gone on to jobs such as:
- UK anti-corruption policy team lead, Home Office
- campaign management, The Diana Award
- journalists, BBC and Sky News.
(Department of Politics 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
I applied for a place on the BBC’s Journalism Trainee Scheme and having a good politics degree from a well-respected university helped secure my interview.”Fiona Woods
Broadcast Journalist/Producer, BBC