Program Overview

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Introduction to Geography with a Language BA

The University of Sussex offers a Geography with a Language BA course, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human geography and the opportunity to study a language. This course is designed to help students develop a global perspective on issues such as climate change, migration, and conflict.

Key Information

• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Typical A-level offer: ABB
• UCAS code: L7RY
• Start date: September 2026

Course Description

The Geography with a Language BA course at the University of Sussex allows students to explore human geography while studying a language. Students can choose from a range of languages, including Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. The course focuses on themes such as global migration, urban change, and global development, combined with language studies.

Entry Requirements

A-level

• Typical offer: ABB
• Contextual offer: BCC
• GCSEs: Mathematics with at least grade 4 (or grade C)

Other UK Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above, including 24 credits at Distinction
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects: M1 M2 M2
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level: Grade B in A-level and Distinction, Distinction in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels: Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM

International Requirements

• Australia: Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 88% to 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER
• Austria: Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 2.0 to 2.2 or better for first-year entry
• Belgium: Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects)
• Canada: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses
• China: If you have the Gaokao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year
• Croatia: Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4 and 4.2
• Cyprus: Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry
• Czech Republic: Maturita with a good overall average
• Denmark: Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale
• Finland: Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM
• France: French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20
• Germany: German Abitur with an overall result of 2.0 to 2.2 or better
• Greece: Apolytirion with an overall average of between 18 and 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 4, 4 to 4, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives
• Hungary: Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544
• India: Standard XII results for entry into 1st year (depending on board and course choice)
• Iran: Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years
• Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 to H2,H2,H2,H3,H3
• Israel: 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
• Italy: Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 78/100 and 81/100
• Japan: Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years
• Kazakhstan: Applicants with Nazarbayev Intellectuals Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate may be considered
• Latvia: Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams
• Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80-90% in at least three state examinations (other than English)
• Luxembourg: Pass the Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires with between 43-46 points overall
• Malaysia: 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
• Netherlands: Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7
• Nigeria: You are expected to have one of the following: Higher National Diploma, One year at a recognised Nigerian University, Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria, Advanced Diploma
• Norway: Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4
• Pakistan: You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies
• Poland: Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile
• Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 16/20 and 17/20
• Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average between 8.0 and 8.5
• Russia: 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
• Singapore: A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas
• Slovakia: Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average above 2.0 from 4 subjects
• Slovenia: Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate with very good grades
• Spain: Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result between 7.5 and 8.0
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan A-levels
• Sweden: Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects
• Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate
• Turkey: 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
• USA: 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

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
• Pearson (PTE Academic): 59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills
• TOEFL (iBT): 80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing

Admissions Information for Applicants

• Language choice: We welcome applicants whose first or primary language is not English though please note that it is not normally possible for applicants with CEFR B2+ proficiency to study that language within this degree
• Transfers into Year 2: Yes

Modules

The course is divided into three years, with a range of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Core modules:
  • Human Geographies of the Modern World
  • Skills and Concepts in Geography I: Becoming a Geographer
  • The Natural World
  • Environmental Management and Sustainable Development
  • Geographies of Cities and Mobilities
  • Skills and Concepts in Geography II: Quantitative and Analytical Skills
• Optional modules:
  • Arabic Beginners A
  • British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 1A
  • Chinese Beginners A
  • French Beginners A
  • French For Professional Purposes 1A
  • French Intermediate A
  • German Beginners A
  • Italian Beginners A
  • Japanese Beginners A
  • Spanish Beginners A
  • Spanish for Professional Purposes 1A
  • Spanish Intermediate A

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Methods and Approaches in Human Geography
  • Social Geographies
• Optional modules:
  • Arabic Intermediate A
  • British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 2A
  • Chinese Intermediate A
  • French Advanced A
  • French for Professional Purposes 2A
  • French Intermediate A
  • German Intermediate A
  • Global Climate Change
  • Global Geographies of Economic Change
  • Italian Intermediate A
  • Japanese Intermediate A
  • Spanish Advanced A
  • Spanish for Professional Purposes 2A
  • Spanish Intermediate A
  • Understanding Global Migration

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • Geography Thesis
• Optional modules:
  • Advanced Sustainable Development: Sustainability in Policy and Practice
  • Arabic Advanced A
  • British Sign Language and Deaf Culture 3A
  • Chinese Advanced A
  • Decolonial Movements
  • Disasters, Environment and Development
  • French Advanced A
  • French for Professional Purposes 2A
  • French For Professional Purposes 3A
  • Geographies of Money, Finance, and Debt
  • German Advanced A
  • Global Work Experience
  • Italian Advanced A
  • Japanese Advanced A
  • Mobilities and Global Inequalities
  • Spanish Advanced A
  • Spanish for Professional Purposes 2A
  • Spanish for Professional Purposes 3A

Study Abroad and Placement

• Study abroad: Apply to study abroad – you'll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career
• Placement: To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course

Fees

• Home students: £9,535 per year
• Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,535 per year
• International students: £27,300 per year

Additional Costs

• Field classes: On this course, all students go on assessed field classes. You may opt for a 30-credit overseas field-class in the second year of this course. Locations change every year but recent destinations have included Dubai, the USA, China, and Greece. Students pay for their airfares, while transfers, meals, and accommodation are partly subsidised. Prices vary but the total cost to students usually ranges from £500 to £1,500. An initial deposit of £150 is required by semester 2 of year 1 for all overseas trips

Scholarships

• Chancellor's International Scholarships: £5,000 in the first year of full-time study
• Climate Leaders Scholarship: £3,000 cash per year of full-time study
• Sussex Pakistan Scholarship (Undergraduate): £4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees
• Sussex Turkey Scholarship (Undergraduate): £4,000 discount on the first year of tuition fees

Careers

• 86% of Sussex undergraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course
• During a Geography with a Language BA, you develop research, communication, analytical, cultural awareness, and resource-management skills
• Employers will also value your communication and language abilities
• This means you can go on to careers in sectors including international development and environmental conservation, or to graduate jobs in:
  • Multinational organisations, charities, and NGOs
  • Civil and diplomatic services and government
  • Business, marketing, and education

Our Staff

• Prof Grace Carswell: Professor of Geography and International Development
• Prof Michael Collyer: Professor of Geography
• Dr Fae Dussart: Associate Professor in Human Geography
• Prof Carl Griffin: Professor of Historical Geography
• Dr Daniel Haberly: Associate Professor in Human Geography
• Dr Andrew Hook: Associate Professor
• Prof David Ockwell: Professor of Sustainability and International Development
• Dr Ceri Oeppen: Reader in Migration Geography
• Dr Olivia Taylor: Assistant Professor in Geography
• Prof Divya Tolia-Kelly: Professor of Geography and Heritage Studies
• Dr Katie Walsh: Reader in Human Geography
• Dr Tahir Zaman: Associate Professor in Human Geography

Languages

• Dr Feras Alkabani: Associate Professor in Arabic and Comparative Literature
• Ms Patricia Couturas: Assistant Professor in French
• Dr Flora Derounian: Assistant Professor in French
• Miss Axelle Fleury: Assistant Professor in French
• Mr Benoit Guilbaud: Associate Professor
• Dr Aaron Kahn: Reader in Spanish
• Dr Ambra Moroncini: Associate Professor in Italian
• Dr Inma Ridao Carlini: Assistant Professor in Spanish
• Dr John Walker: Associate Professor
• Dr Junko Winch: Assistant Professor in Japanese