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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

International Relations and Development

University of Sussex

(3.8)
138 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the International Relations and Development course at University of Sussex.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

A,B,B

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Most popular A-levels studied

The International Relations and Development 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.

International development
Politics
SubjectGrade
Government and PoliticsB
HistoryB
SociologyB
English LiteratureB
EconomicsB
SubjectGrade
GeographyC
PsychologyA
SociologyB
EconomicsB
English LiteratureB
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: LL29

Here's what University of Sussex says about its International Relations and Development course.

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

9th in the UK for Social Sciences (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

=9th in the UK for Political Sciences (ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023)

About the course

You will join one of the largest dedicated International Relations departments in Europe, and an academic community that enjoys a world reputation for being a leading centre for Development Studies in the world.

You’ll learn from experts driving debates and influencing policy – on topics such as peace-building, migration, human rights, humanitarian emergencies, global health, food security, poverty, financial instability and climate change.

You'll benefit from the vibrant and interdisciplinary environment in the School of Global Studies. Outside the classroom, you gain insights into global issues through field trips and international placements. You'll even have the opportunity to shape our research agenda by participating in our International Development and International Relations societies.

About Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

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 Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Department

International Relations

Location

Main Site | Brighton

Duration

3 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• International development

• International relations

Start date

September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

Tuition fees

LocationFees
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

The modules you will study

See the modules you will study by year by going to the 'view course details' link.

University of Sussex student reviews

(3.8)
Based on 138 reviews from University of Sussex's students and alumni
5 star
28%
4 star
38%
3 star
25%
2 star
6%
1 star
4%
All reviews

Showing 120 reviews

1st year student

1 year ago

Two stars: Could be better

(2)
Student Union

1st year student

1 year ago

Not really a social being

(3)
University life

1st year student

1 year ago

Accommodation is quite expensive in this region and the need for a guarantor adds another expense.

(3)
Finance

1st year student

1 year ago

As an international student, i have had a pleasant experience with the staff members especially with the academic advisor team

(4)
Support

1st year student

1 year ago

Ancient and not really modern

(2)
Facilities

1st year student

1 year ago

The modules on my course have been carefully chosen to reflect the current movement and actualities within the financial industry

(3)
Course

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Sussex

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

The International Relations and Development 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

Development studies
Politics

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

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

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

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

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

89%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

91%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

92%

high

How well organised is your course?

93%

med

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

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

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

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

82%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

96%

med

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

91%

high

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

90%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

84%

med

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?

80%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

89%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

71%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

86%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

85%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

75%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

76%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

73%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

93%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

90%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

88%

high

How well organised is your course?

91%

high

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

79%

low

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

92%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

85%

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?

82%

med

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

85%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

69%

med

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?

75%

med

Student information

The International Relations and Development 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.

International development
Politics
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female48%Male52%
Where students come from
International21%UK79%
Student performance
2:1 or above76%
Number of students940
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female66%Male34%
Where students come from
International27%UK73%
Student performance
2:1 or above78%
Number of students465
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

We have no information about graduates who took International Relations and Development at University of Sussex.

Earnings after graduation

The International Relations and Development 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.

Sociology, social policy and anthropology
Politics

Earnings

£21.2k

First year after graduation

£27k

Third year after graduation

£31k

Fifth year after graduation

Earnings

£24.5k

First year after graduation

£29.2k

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 International Relations and Development.

Source: LEO

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

Discussions

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