Key information
- Duration:
- 3 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- AAB
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- M1L2
- Start date:
- September 2025
On this course, you’ll study:
- the political and economic principles that govern the relations between states
- agreements (or treaties) between states
- the extent to which states can and do rely on such principles and treaties (considered by legal scholars as sources of public international law).
You’re taught by research-active faculty and study theoretical and practical aspects of law. Through the Sussex Law Clinics, you can gain valuable work experience of the law in action before you graduate. We also have links with leading law firms that sponsor our student competitions in national and international mooting, criminal advocacy, client interviewing, negotiation, mediation and legal debating. Our supportive alumni are also happy to provide career advice for current students.
Accreditation
This course satisfies the academic component of Bar training (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). This degree acts as a gateway to further qualification as both a solicitor and a barrister. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) must be taken by graduates wishing to become a solicitor.
- This course satisfies the academic component for BSB purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more
- This course satisfies the academic component for SRA purposes (subject to minimum pass marks and number of attempts). Find out more
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.
Entry requirements
A-level
Typical offer | AAB |
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Contextual offer | View contextual offer 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 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 27 credits at Distinction |
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Subjects | The Access to HE Diploma should be in the Humanities, Social sciences or Business. |
Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes)
Typical offer | M1 M1 M2 If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade B at A-level and, M1 and M1 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 M1 in Pre-U. |
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GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer | 34 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level
Typical offer | Grade B in A-level and Distinction, Distinction in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
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Contextual offer | View contextual offer 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 | A-level should be essay based. |
GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels
Typical offer | Grades AB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. |
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Contextual offer | View contextual offer 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 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 | DDD |
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Contextual offer | View contextual offer 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, Public Services or Uniformed Protective Services. |
GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Scottish Highers
Typical offer | AAABB |
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T Level
Typical offer | Pass T Level in Legal Services with an overall grade of Distinction including grade B in the Core Component |
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Contextual offer | View contextual offer 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 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
Typical offer | AAB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels |
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GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer | 34 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
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European Baccalaureate
Typical offer | Overall result of at least 80% |
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Other international qualifications
Australia
Typical offer | Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 92% to 88% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 4 or better. |
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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 1.8 to 2.0 or better for first-year entry. |
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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. |
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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). |
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Canada
Typical offer | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AAABB - AABBB 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. |
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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. |
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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 4.2 and 4.5 |
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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 18.5/20 and above. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 EEMM - EMMM |
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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 of at least 14/20. |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Germany
Typical offer | German Abitur with an overall result of 1.8 to 2.0 or better. |
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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 18.5 and 19 will be considered for first-year entry. |
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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, 5, 4 to 5, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives.
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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 |
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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) |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
Typical offer | 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 |
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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,H1,H2,H2,H3 to H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 |
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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. |
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Italy
Typical offer | Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 81/100 and 85/100. |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
Typical offer | 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 |
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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. |
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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). |
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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 46-48 points overall. |
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Malaysia
Typical offer | at least Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B4 (70%) from 6 subjects. |
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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 between 7-8. |
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Nigeria
Typical offer | You are expected to have one of the following:
You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English. 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 |
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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 between 4 to 4.5 |
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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. |
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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 80th percentile.
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Portugal
Typical offer | Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 17/20 and 18/20. |
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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 8.5 and 8.7 |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
Typical offer | Applicants who have good grades in the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami (Certificate of Secondary Education) and who have successfully completed the first year of a Russian University degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0, will be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree courses. |
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Please note | 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. |
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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 1.8 from 4 subjects.
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Additional requirements | Please note: Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovenia
Typical offer | Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 24 points overall. |
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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. |
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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 of at least 8.0. |
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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. |
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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.
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
Typical offer | Federal Maturity Certificate. |
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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 |
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USA
Typical offer | We look at your full profile considering everything you are studying, including the High School Graduation Diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades and AP tests. We expect to see a combination of these qualifications. Alongside your High School Graduation Diploma, we would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores with either, a combined SAT test score (evidence-based reading and writing and mathematics) of 1300, or a combined ACT score of 26 AP and SAT Subject tests Please check the individual course pages for our typical A-level offer and see below for the corresponding scores we would require from AP test scores:
We will also accept a combination of any 3 AP tests and SAT subject test where a score of 600 in an SAT subject test can be substituted for an AP test in the above table If you are applying for a degree with an A level subject requirement in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology will normally need to hold an AP test in that subject. College level credits We also accept college level 3-credit courses in academic subjects as the equivalent of a UK A Level on a case by case basis. These can be combined with AP tests and or SAT subject tests Associate degrees An Associate degree with a GPA of 3.0 will meet our entry requirements for year 1. Foundation Year entry Students who have a High School Diploma and SAT or ACT tests only would be eligible to apply for our Foundation Year
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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
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.
We do not accept IELTS Online.
Other English language requirements
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced.
We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency.
We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the 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).
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
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).
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.
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
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
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 | No |
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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:
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.
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 about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
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
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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.
- Criminal Law 1
- Introduction to International Political Economy
- Land Law 1
- Public Law I: Constitutional and Administrative Law Advanced
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
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.
- Advising in Practice
- Business Law and Practice
- Commercial Contract Law in Practice
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment Law
- Foundations of Canadian Law (Adv)
- Foundations of International Law
- Law, Innovation and Technology
- Law, Public Policy and Justice
- Legal Research Project
- Power, the State and the Individual (Advanced)
- Professional Skills: Law in Action
Spring teaching
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
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
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Studying abroad means learning new ways of thinking, and new perspectives on life.”Bluinse Thomas
Law with International Relations LLB
Studied abroad in Hong Kong
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
Recent students have gone on placements at:
- Mott MacDonald
- United Biscuits
- QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke.
I gained valuable commercial experience, and developed my understanding of how a business operates.”Hanan Zakher
Law with International Relations LLB
Commercial and Finance Business Support, Sussex Estates and Facilities LLP
Please note that 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
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
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.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Anti-Corruption Law and Practice
- Aspects of Commercial Law
- Child Law
- Company Law 1
- Criminology
- Disease, Diplomacy and Development
- East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
- Employment Law - Foundations
- Environment and Development in World Politics
- Fashion Law
- Finance and Power
- Foundations of Competition Law
- Foundations of Environmental Law
- Global Business Law and Regulation
- Hate Crime and the Law
- Human Rights 1: International and Regional Frameworks
- Immigration & Asylum Law
- Intellectual Property: Copyright and Related Rights
- International Trade Law
- Law and Resistance 1
- Law of Evidence
- Law, Gender and Sexuality (Aut)
- Law, Politics and Economics of Regulation (Aut)
- Media Law and Regulation
- Perspectives on Healthcare Law
- Policing Racial Capitalism
- Principles of Public International Law
- Professional Negligence
- Religions in Global Politics
- Short Dissertation A
- Sports Law 1
- The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
- Transnational Commercial Litigation
- What is War
- Aboriginal Law (Spr)
- Adult Family Law
- Advanced Contract Law in Practice (Spr)
- Canadian Administrative Law (Spr)
- Company Law 2
- Comparative Family Law
- Contemporary Challenges of Competition Law and Policy
- Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Law
- Crime and Punishment
- From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technologies, and Global Insecurity
- Global Politics of Food
- Global Resistance: Contesting Capital and Coloniality
- Globalisation, Law and Sustainability (Adv)
- Human Rights 2: Critical Perspectives
- Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
- Intellectual Property: Industrial Property
- International Economic Disputes
- International Relations of the Modern Middle East
- Internet Law and Regulation
- Land, Property and Environment
- Law and Development
- Law and the Entertainment Industry
- Law and the Welfare State
- Law of Succession (Spr)
- Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence
- Protest Law (Spr)
- Public International Law in Current Affairs
- Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
- Race, Gender and Global Capitalism
- The Criminal Process
- The Legal Regulation of Sexual Relationships
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
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 2024/25. 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.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination
If you’re interested in qualification through the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), we’re here to support you:
- we have partnered with BARBRI, the global legal education provider, to offer you a pathway to qualification through this new route. As part of this partnership, you’ll have a discount on BARBRI fees as well as access to BARBRI-run campus workshops
- in addition to our current assessment modes, we’ll be incorporating multiple-choice questions, the mode of assessment for the SQE
- alongside our core modules, you’ll also have the opportunity to choose options covering specialised areas of law that form part of the SQE.
Enhance your employability skills at a Law Clinic
- Video transcript
Professor Amir Paz-Fuchs, Sussex Law School: “Welcome to the University of Sussex Law Clinics where theory meets practice and students become real-world problem solvers for their local community.”
Hashim Al-Metwakill, Migration Law Clinic student: “Although the Law Clinics aren't a module that you have to take here, I really do think that it is one of the best experiences and that everyone should have an opportunity to do them. There are a lot of options in terms of Law Clinics available here. I chose the migration Law Clinic.”
Paz-Fuchs: “What students get from the clinics is real-life experience, helping people in the community, understanding how the law operates in practice, and gaining extremely valuable skills for their CV and for their employability.”
Al-Metwakill: “So throughout my time at the Migration Law Clinic, I learned to client interview, draft memos, advice letters, and how to deal with the unexpected. There are situations that arise that you might not know how to react to originally, but with experience and with the guidance of our teachers, you really get to know how to deal with them.”
Zoe Janae Hoyte, Street Law Clinic: “Doing the clinics has meant that I've gotten to see that I have skills that are going to make a difference for people. Knowing that I can find that purpose in what I've studied in a real impactful way, in a real world, is really empowering for me and has encouraged me to move forward in my route of doing charitable work in a legal setting, and I'm just really excited to know that there's going to be a future in helping people like I have in Street Law.”
Dr Lucy Welsh, Sussex Law School: “The Law Clinics really empower the students through experiential learning. It's about more than just reading case law or reading articles. It's about rolling up their sleeves and actually making a tangible difference to people's lives through the law.”
Deanna Coe, Housing Law Clinic student: “It gives you a different law degree in comparison to just looking at statute, writing an essay. You are able to apply the law practically, which you don't get to do everywhere or within every module. If you're writing a dissertation, it's not the same experience whatsoever, but being able to be a part of the Law Clinic, it does give that other angle of your degree and it gives you that other skill set which it is priceless.”
Haley Stern, Employability Law Clinic student: “I think the Law Clinics really showed me why I'm passionate about law. Why I chose law in general. It's seeing that interpersonal element. It's real-life people with real-life issues and being that person to either help them or just listen to them, is the reason why I came into this. It's about people and at the end of the day, it's about that person in that time of their life. So if you can help them, that's the best thing. That's the only thing you can ask for really.”
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
“On your LLB, you’ll engage with the complexities and richness of the law. This will shape your practical legal mind and prepare you for a world beyond your legal studies.”
LLB Convener
International Relations
Prof Lara Montesinos Coleman
Professor of International Law, Ethics and Political Economy
Law
Fees
- Home students:
- £9,250 per year
- Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
- £9,250 per year
- International students:
- £22,575 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
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.
Additional costs
Note about additional costs
Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.
Book bundles
We recommend buying textbooks for this course. These are available online from the University and other outlets. The approximate costs of buying new copies are £140 in year 1, £125 in year 2 and between £80 and £120 in the final year.
Statute books
We recommend statute books for some subjects. These are available online from the University and other outlets for around £15 each.
Skills competitions
For students who take part in optional skills competitions, most of the associated costs will be covered by the School. Students will need to cover some costs such as formal clothing and may need to cover printing costs when online bundles are not permitted. These costs will depend on the stage reached and whether it is an internal or external competition.
Law Society membership
If you choose to become a Student Law Society member, you will need to pay £30 for three years of membership. The Student Law Society runs optional events and trips four or five times a year. Costs vary but usually range between £5 and £40 per event.
Optional trips and events
The Student Law Society runs optional events and trips four or five times a year. Costs vary but usually range between £5 and £40 per event.
Law Ball
Tickets for the Annual Law Ball organised by the Student Law Society cost around £30. Attendance is optional.
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.
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Chancellor's International Scholarships
£5,000 in the first year of full-time study
-
Sussex Bangladesh Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
-
Sussex Egypt Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
-
Sussex India Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
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Sussex Nigeria Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
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Sussex Pakistan Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
-
Sussex Turkey Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
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Sussex Vietnam Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Up to £4,500 (£1,500 per year of full-time study)
Careers
You’ll be prepared – subject to completion of the necessary further qualifications – to practise law as a solicitor, a barrister or an in-house lawyer for a public limited company or a government agency.
You can also choose to use your excellent communication skills in fields such as:
- broadcast media
- public relations or human resources
- policy development or politics.
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
I did a Law degree but studied other areas, such as politics and human rights, which I found gave me the skills to not only succeed as a solicitor but also to run a business.”Lucinda Dore
Partner, Crosby and Woods Solicitors
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 including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
- one-to-one coaching 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
Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024
Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024
A-level - contextual offer
BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer
Grade B in A-level and Merit, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma) - contextual offer
DMM
T Level - contextual offer
Pass T Level in Legal Services with an overall grade of Merit including grade B in the Core Component