Teaching quality is an integral part of our central place in the discipline of International Relations. Our students actively contribute to shaping the Department’s research activities by organising public events, debates, film screenings, annual fieldtrips to Geneva, Brussels or the UN in New York, etc.

As a student at Sussex, you will have the chance to shape your own learning according to your interests and career aspirations, through joint-degrees, pathways, carefully targeted study abroad opportunities, as well as optional placements or internships. You will also have the opportunity to engage with leading policy-makers from national and international organisations throughout your degree, through a variety of events organised by our research centres.

 Key facts about International Relations at Sussex

• You can complement our single-honours degree in International Relations (IR), with a wide range of pathway specialisations, e.g. Human Rights, Middle East Studies, American Studies, Media, International Business or Chinese language.
• We offer a wide range of joint-honours degree opportunities, where you can combine your training in IR with a different subject, e.g. anthropology, development, geography, economics, politics, sociology.
• You will benefit from our rigorous academic support structure. From entering your IR course you will be assigned to a team of academic advisors who will support you with your academic development and personal development throughout your studies. Study and research skills are integrated into your core modules in the first and second year to ensure you gain skills essential to employment and whatever personal endeavours you undertake.
• We believe students learn in different ways, so we use a variety of assessment modes including presentations, learning diaries, book reports, debates, essays, multiple choice tests and concept notes. None of our modules are assessed by unseen exams.
• Broaden your horizons through our extensive study abroad opportunities. In recent years students were studying in the City University of Hong Kong, Ecole de Governance et d'Economie de Rabat, Freie Universität Berlin, IEP Grenoble, Maastricht University, Monash University Malaysia, Nanyang Technological University, Renmin University of China, Universidad de Granada, Université de Strasbourg and many many more.
• In the final year there are no core modules, just a wide variety of expert options. So you are free to follow your interests and personalise your educational path, in a way that best fits your career aspirations.
• Access our virtual learning environment – Canvas. Each module has a webpage where you can find all the information you need to study the module, including links to library resources.
• We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment that advances equality and leaves no one behind.

Foundation year

Don't have the qualifications you need to take a degree in this subject area? At Sussex, we help you build the skills you need to study at undergraduate level. Find out more about our Social Sciences (with a foundation year) BA.