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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year)
University of Sussex
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course at University of Sussex.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,B,B
You must have GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics, with at least grade 6 (or grade B). We will also consider applicants with grade 5 in Maths if you are taking A-level Accounting, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Maths, Physics, Psychology or an LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies or Level 3 Certificate in Core Maths (grade B). AAT accounting qualifications can be used as an alternative to the grade 6 GCSE Maths requirement. You should also have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £23,500 per year |
| International | £23,500 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: LL18
Here's what University of Sussex says about its Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course.
1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Top 20 in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
8th in the UK for Sustainability (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025)
About the course
Sustainable development is key to helping future generations flourish. Despite global efforts, our uncertain world can make this feel difficult to achieve. Is it possible to balance development with ecological preservation? And how can we ensure we meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
More than ever, we need innovative strategies and effective resource management. We need people who understand interconnected challenges to generate long-term prosperity. On this course, you’ll develop the skills to address sustainability issues by examining the complex dynamics of environmental change, human wellbeing and economic growth.
Integrating economics, geography and international development, you'll gain a multidisciplinary perspective on sustainable development. You’ll learn from academics with teaching and research excellence in economics, climate change, sustainability, development, quantitative methods and applied policy analysis.
By studying at Sussex, you will:
-
analyse environmental and climate processes
-
gain a comprehensive understanding of core economic fields
-
develop strong quantitative skills
-
learn to design policies for development issues, including economic stability, food security, global health, migration, displacement and the climate crisis.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready for a wide range of career opportunities. This could include:
-
economic consultancy, policy or data science
-
positions within public-sector agencies, research institutions and think tanks
-
opportunities linked to the growing green economy.
About the University of Sussex Business School
Our work draws on management, economics, science, technology and innovation studies, to make an impact on the future of people and institutions the world over. We study the issues that matter, in order to transform our world and your future. Our expertise puts you at the forefront of our research, helping you make an impact on policy, practice and people.
Social responsibility and sustainability are important to us. We incorporate the seven Principles for Responsible Management into our teaching and research.
Location
Study on our beautiful green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.
Source: University of Sussex
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
Economics
Location
Main Site | Brighton
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time with year in industry
Subjects
• Environmental geography
• Economics
• International development
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Sussex reviews
Showing 120 reviews
1st year student
Two stars: Could be better
1 year ago
1st year student
Not really a social being
1 year ago
1st year student
Accommodation is quite expensive in this region and the need for a guarantor adds another expense.
1 year ago
1st year student
As an international student, i have had a pleasant experience with the staff members especially with the academic advisor team
1 year ago
1st year student
Ancient and not really modern
1 year ago
1st year student
The modules on my course have been carefully chosen to reflect the current movement and actualities within the financial industry
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course at University of Sussex features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
90%
med
Teaching on my course
90%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
86%
high
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
93%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
91%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
87%
med
Learning opportunities
84%
med
Learning opportunities
84%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
87%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
91%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
81%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
87%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
72%
low
Assessment and feedback
81%
med
Assessment and feedback
81%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
85%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
87%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
78%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
78%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
78%
med
Academic support
90%
med
Academic support
90%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
89%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
91%
med
Organisation and management
92%
high
Organisation and management
92%
high
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
92%
high
How well organised is your course?
93%
med
Learning resources
91%
high
Learning resources
91%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
89%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
95%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
88%
high
Student voice
80%
med
Student voice
80%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
66%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
89%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
86%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
80%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
81%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
86%
med
Teaching on my course
86%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
82%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
81%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
88%
med
Learning opportunities
85%
high
Learning opportunities
85%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
87%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
89%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
83%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
86%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
79%
med
Assessment and feedback
76%
med
Assessment and feedback
76%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
85%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
83%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
68%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
70%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
74%
med
Academic support
89%
med
Academic support
89%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
88%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
91%
high
Organisation and management
88%
med
Organisation and management
88%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
88%
med
How well organised is your course?
88%
med
Learning resources
88%
med
Learning resources
88%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
88%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
87%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
89%
med
Student voice
75%
med
Student voice
75%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
63%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
79%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
82%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
75%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
85%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
85%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
96%
high
Teaching on my course
96%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
88%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
100%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
100%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
94%
high
Learning opportunities
94%
high
Learning opportunities
94%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
100%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
94%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
100%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
94%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
79%
med
Assessment and feedback
79%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
94%
high
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
76%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
76%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
71%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
76%
med
Academic support
97%
high
Academic support
97%
high
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
100%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
94%
med
Organisation and management
97%
high
Organisation and management
97%
high
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
100%
high
How well organised is your course?
94%
high
Learning resources
92%
med
Learning resources
92%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
81%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
94%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
100%
high
Student voice
76%
low
Student voice
76%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
62%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
88%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
88%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
92%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
82%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
94%
high
Student information
The Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course at University of Sussex features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Geography | B | |||||
| Biology | B | |||||
| History | B | |||||
| Psychology | B | |||||
| English Literature | B | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Economics | B | |||||
| Mathematics | C | |||||
| Business Studies | B | |||||
| Psychology | B | |||||
| Government and Politics | B | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Geography | C | |||||
| Psychology | A | |||||
| Sociology | B | |||||
| Economics | B | |||||
| English Literature | B | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Sussex graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
63%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
85%
In work, study or other activity
70%
Say it fits with future plans
45%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
17%
Business and public service associate professionals
11%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
8%
Elementary occupations
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
In work, study or other activity
70%
Say it fits with future plans
35%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
10%
Administrative occupations
Graduate statistics
70%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
82%
In work, study or other activity
75%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
15%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Finance Professionals
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
70%
In work, study or other activity
70%
Say it fits with future plans
55%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
30%
Business and public service associate professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10%
Conservation and environment professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
The Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year) course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Sussex graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£21.2k
First year after graduation
£27k
Third year after graduation
£31k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£27.7k
First year after graduation
£34.3k
Third year after graduation
£45.6k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£22.3k
First year after graduation
£28.8k
Third year after graduation
£33.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Economics and Sustainable Development (with professional placement year).
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
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Discussions
Students are talking about University of Sussex on The Student Room.
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Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
