International Development

International development is a discipline that examines why some parts of the world are wealthy and others are not, how global inequalities are produced and maintained, what interventions help and what causes harm, and how the legacies of colonialism, conflict and structural adjustment continue to shape the lives of billions of people. It is a field that draws on economics, politics, sociology, geography, history and anthropology to engage with some of the most pressing ethical and practical questions of our time, from poverty reduction and food security to climate justice, humanitarian action and the politics of aid.

At the University of Sussex, which has a long tradition of critical development thinking, this three-year, full-time programme equips you to understand global challenges through their historical legacies and contemporary power structures. You will explore issues including climate change, conflict, migration, economic inequality, gender, health, education and the politics of development institutions, developing the analytical frameworks to interrogate what works, what doesn't and why. The programme includes a foundation year for students who would benefit from additional preparation, as well as a sandwich year, a year abroad and work placements, giving you direct professional experience in development-related settings and an international perspective on the field.

Graduates pursue careers in international development and humanitarian organisations, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, government overseas development departments, research institutes, journalism, think tanks, advocacy organisations and the private sector consultancies that work in development contexts. Many also continue to postgraduate study in international development, global governance, area studies, humanitarian action or public policy, building on the critical foundations the degree provides. The combination of analytical depth and international awareness the degree develops is valued across many fields engaged with global affairs.