Sociology with Media Studies BA (Hons)

Discover the ways our communities are formed and media’s role in influencing them. Gain experience outside of the classroom to prepare for your future.

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This course is available in Clearing.

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Key information

Why choose this course at Sussex?

  • Analyse how media and communications shape real societies to stand out in today’s AI-influenced communications landscapes and other diverse careers.
  • Develop practical experience, benefitting from Sussex’s focus on real-world issues, guest speaker events and links to the UK’s vibrant media industries.
  • Immerse yourself in our wide-ranging collections and archives, including our collection of decolonisation materials and the nearby Mass Observation Archive.

Make the most of interdisciplinary teaching at Sussex. You’ll study in an internationally respected Sociology department, developing your understanding of today’s complex societies.

You will develop the skills to analyse how media and communications shape social lives, cultural interactions and even identities in our digital world. Build links to the UK’s vibrant media industries and learn how to stand out in today’s AI-influenced communications landscapes.

In the Sociology part of your degree, you will explore how wealth, technology, crime and gender shape societies. As part of your degree, you build practical experience through:

  • modules and assignments that focus on real-world issues and build sought-after skills, from data analysis to creative problem-solving
  • guest speaker events with a wide range of organisations, from local charities to the Crown Prosecution Service
  • a student consultancy module where you can work on real employer briefs
  • a wide range of electives that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests and aims
  • the opportunity to immerse yourself in a range of collections and archives, including our Library’s spectacular collection of decolonisation materials and the nearby Mass Observation Archive.

At Sussex, you will be part of a supportive community of academics and students who will help you make the most of your degree. Outside the classroom, you can get involved in any of over 180 student-led clubs and societies.

I absolutely loved studying sociology. The subjects taught were always so interesting and contemporary. The work was challenging but support was always on hand.”Olivia Stewart
Sociology BA 
How to apply

Campus tours

Join a campus tour this summer and get a feel for life at Sussex. With award-winning campus food, a National Park setting and buzzing Brighton on our doorstep, our location and facilities are hard to beat.

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On campus - in person

You’ll study for this degree on our campus, joining our academics and fellow students. With in-person contact time, digitally supported educational resources, library collections and independent study, this course is designed to give you an inclusive education. Your learning experience may also include work placements, field trips, studying abroad and internationalisation experiences.

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Virtual tour

Want to learn more about life at Sussex?

Our 360° virtual tour has been designed to introduce you to life in our diverse, supportive and inclusive community. Join our students for an immersive experience as they reveal why Sussex offers a space to follow your passions, find your voice, and discover people and places that will inspire you.

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ResearchPlus

As a founding partner of ResearchPlus, a collaboration of research-focused universities, we engage with government, industry and civil society to support economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing across the whole of the UK.

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Modules

This is a major/minor course, enabling you to study in depth in a core area (your major subject: taking up 75% of your time), while also exploring an additional area (your minor subject: taking up 25% of your time). Find out more from our guide to undergraduate study

We’re planning to run the modules listed below in the academic year 2026/27. We’ve made some changes to keep the course fresh and future-facing.

  • What’s changed on this course?
    Year 2
    • The core module Media and the Real (2027/28) is new and replaces Advertising (2026/27).
    Year 3
    • The core modules New Media Histories (2028/29) and Utopian Cultural Politics and New Horizons (2028/29) are new and replace the core module Revolutionary Media (2027/28).
    • There is now one Sociology option in autumn teaching and one in spring teaching, instead of two options in autumn teaching.

Spirit of Sussex Award

Feel involved in life at the University, make friends and enrich your experience with us – the Spirit of Sussex Award is our way of recognising your extracurricular and voluntary achievements.

Find out more about the Spirit of Sussex Award

  • Video transcript

    Hi everyone! As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the Spirit of Sussex Award is now live.

    Students across the Sussex community are already earning their points

    What will you do to earn yours?

    There's so many ways to get involved.

    Head over to the website to start your Spirit of Sussex journey.

    Text: The Spirit of Sussex Award is an exciting new programme designed to recognise and celebrate the things you do outside your course.

    Participating in the Award makes it easy and fun for you to get involved and make the most of university life.

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 2026/27. 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.

I’ve received an unprecedented level of support from staff, who create a course that is both challenging and rewarding.”Sean Trelawny
Sociology BA 
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Our experts

It was sociology that offered, for me, the best tools to explore ordinary people’s lives and experiences.”Dr Laura Morosanu
Reader in Sociology

Media and Communications

Sociology

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Careers

  • 86% of Sussex undergraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)

Bespoke careers support is built into the Sussex Sociology degrees from day one. In addition to dedicated employer talks, our modules feature timetabled sessions that focus on employability, from presentation skills to CV writing.

Throughout the degree, classes showcase how different fields of sociological study build a diverse skill set that will help you stand out in the job market. Careers support on the degree involves input from alumni, key employers and Sussex’s Careers and Entrepreneurship team.

Where do our graduates work now?

Surveyed 15 months after finishing their courses, our recent graduates from the Department of Sociology and Criminology worked for employers including: 

And our recent Media, Journalism and Cultural Studies graduates worked for employers including:

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2022) 

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

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations such as Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, the Knepp Rewilding Project, and fashion brand Puig
  • one-to-one appointments with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

How to apply
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Entry requirements

Find your place in Clearing

This course will be available in Clearing. Explore your options at Sussex – right here, right now.

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Fees

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Home students

£9,790 per year

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

£9,790 per year

On 19 March 2026 the UK Parliament set out that the tuition fee cap for 2026 entry will be £9,790. As the University of Sussex keeps fees for Home students and Channel Islands and Isle of Man students in line with UK Government-approved levels, fees will be £9,790 in 2026. In line with our terms and conditions, the University charges fees at the maximum levels set by the UK Government.

International students

£23,500 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

Living costs

We know the rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind, and affects us all in different ways. Our guide to living costs has been designed to help you plan and budget for life as a Sussex student.

Learn more about typical living costs

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.

How to apply

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Enquiries

Contact us with any questions about your course:

+44 (0)1273 876787
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Find out more about the Department of Sociology and Criminology 

Prospectus

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Legal information

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.

Find out about our terms and conditions, including the student code of conduct and your cancellation rights

Find out about our complaints and appeals process

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