Politics 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:: LL23
Start date:: September 2022

Top 5 in the UK for the best political scene (Which? University 2019)
11th in the UK for Sociology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021)

Study in Brighton – one of the UK’s most politically diverse cities – and explore power, inequality, globalisation and the role of politics in society.

You’ll learn from experts influencing global debates from political corruption to gender inequality and enjoy regular political debates featuring guest speakers. Through sociology projects you will also develop practical research skills.

We also organise trips to Germany and France, where you can learn more about the current political scene and meet with politicians and academics.

Internship

As a final-year student, you can apply for a competitive internship with a Westminster MP or in local government with Brighton & Hove City Council.

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.

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 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 grade 9-4 (*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 grade 9-4 (*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 also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 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 also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 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 also 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 also 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
Subjects	The BTEC Level 3 National Extended diploma would normally be in Business, Health & Social Care, Forensic & Criminal Investigation, Public Services or Uniformed Protective Services.
GCSEs	You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (*A-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Scottish Highers

Typical offer	AABBB-ABBBB
Additional requirements	If you are taking Advanced Highers we would normally expect you to have at least BBB.

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	Please contact our admissions office for further information
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	You'll normally need to complete an International Foundation Year in order to apply for first year entry. The International Study Centre on campus provides a range of options. 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

You'll normally need to complete an International Foundation Year in order to apply for first year entry. The International Study Centre on campus provides a range of options.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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

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 3 good AP scores

Advanced Placement Tests with scores of between 5,5,4 to 5,4,4 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

These modules are running in the academic year 2021/22. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity. It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints.

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

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.

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

Writer-in-Residence Scheme

Stephen Bush, the award-winning journalist and political editor of the New Statesman, 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 in the New Statesman. And with our archive right here at Sussex it couldn’t be a better fit.”Stephen Bush
Political Editor, New Statesman

How politics students at Sussex engage with current political events and contemporary issues – Kai Oppermann, Politics lecturer

How to apply

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Our staff

Politics

Dr Rekha Diwakar

Senior Lecturer in Politics

View Rekha Diwakar’s profile

Dr Neil Dooley

Lecturer in Politics

View Neil Dooley’s profile

Dr James Hampshire

Reader in Politics

View James Hampshire’s profile

Prof Dan Hough

Professor of Politics

View Dan Hough’s profile

Mr Francis Mcgowan

Senior Lecturer in Politics

View Francis Mcgowan’s profile

Dr Jonathan Moss

Lecturer in Politics

View Jonathan Moss’s profile

Dr Emily Robinson

Senior Lecturer in Politics

View Emily Robinson’s profile

Dr Adrian Treacher

Lecturer in International Politics

View Adrian Treacher’s profile

Prof Paul Webb

Professor of Politics

View Paul Webb’s profile

Sociology

Dr Jamie Barnes

Lecturer in Sociology

View Jamie Barnes’s profile

Prof Gerard Delanty

Professor of Sociology & Social & Political Thought

View Gerard Delanty’s profile

Dr Aneira Edmunds

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

View Aneira Edmunds’s profile

Dr Ben Fincham

Reader in Sociology

View Ben Fincham’s profile

Dr Nina Held

Lecturer

View Nina Held’s profile

Dr Aleksandra Lewicki

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

View Aleksandra Lewicki’s profile

Dr Gillian Love

Lecturer

View Gillian Love’s profile

Prof Karen Lowton

Professor in Sociology (Ageing and Health)

View Karen Lowton’s profile

Prof Luke Martell

Teaching Fellow in Sociology

View Luke Martell’s profile

Prof Jo Moran-Ellis

Professor Of Sociology

View Jo Moran-Ellis’s profile

Dr Laura Morosanu

Senior Lecturer in Sociology

View Laura Morosanu’s profile

Prof Alison Phipps

Professor of Gender Studies

View Alison Phipps’s profile

Dr Carli Rowell

Lecturer in Sociology

View Carli Rowell’s profile

Prof Susie Scott

Professor of Sociology

View Susie Scott’s profile

Dr Kathryn Telling

Lecturer in Sociology

View Kathryn Telling’s profile

Dr Daniel Whillis

Lecturer in Sociology

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Dr Catherine Will

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Fees

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2022/23 – please check back in September 2021. 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

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.

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2022.

How to apply

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Careers

By studying a Politics and Sociology degree at Sussex you will gain the critical, analytical and practical skills for a career in politics, health and social welfare, and public and human relations.

You could go into jobs such as:

parliamentary or think-tank researcher in the UK, EU 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 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 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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Politics and Sociology BA (Hons)

Key information

Internship

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

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

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