Program Overview

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Introduction to the Geography, Sustainable Development and Climate Change BSc (Hons) Course

The University of Sussex offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in Geography, Sustainable Development and Climate Change. This BSc (Hons) course is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the complex relationships between human societies, the natural environment, and the challenges posed by climate change.

Key Information

• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Typical A-level offer: ABB
• UCAS code: F804
• Start date: September 2026
• The University of Sussex is ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) and 3rd in the UK for research impact in Geography and Environmental Studies (REF 2021).

Course Description

This course combines both physical and human geography with a focus on climate change and sustainability. Students will learn how natural processes and human activities interact across the planet and explore how people, places, and environments are connected. The program includes field trips, starting locally in the first year and expanding to international destinations in the second year, such as Beijing, Los Angeles, Marseille, Corsica, or the Greek Islands.

Entry Requirements

UK Requirements

• A-level: Typical offer ABB. Contextual offer BCC.
• GCSEs: Mathematics with at least grade 4 (or grade C). A broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.
• Extended Project Qualification: Considered in the application and can be useful in the summer when results are released if conditions of the offer are narrowly missed.

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. If one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, expect grade A at A-level and M2 and M2 in Pre-Us.
• 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. Contextual offer: Grade C in A-level and Distinction, Merit 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. Contextual offer: Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDM. Contextual offer: DMM.
• Scottish Highers: AABBB.
• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels.

International Requirements

• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.
• European Baccalaureate: Overall result of at least 77%. Evidence of existing academic ability in Geography or another science subject (normally with a final grade of at least 8.0).
• Specific requirements for various countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic): 6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component.
• Other English language qualifications: Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Pearson (PTE Academic), TOEFL (iBT).
• Country exceptions: List of countries where English language requirements may be waived.

Modules

The course is structured over three years, with a combination of core modules and optional modules that allow students to tailor their studies to their interests.

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
  • Skills and Concepts in Geography II: Quantitative and Analytical Skills
  • Understanding Earth

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Environmental Research Skills (BSc Geog)
  • Global Climate Change
  • Global Landscape Dynamics
• Options:
  • Conservation Biology
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Global Geographies of Economic Change
  • Introduction to Sustainable Development
  • Environmental Perspectives on Development
  • Geographies of the Living Earth
  • Geography Overseas Field Class
  • Population & Community Ecology
  • Southeast England Field Class

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • Advanced Sustainable Development: Sustainability in Policy and Practice
  • Geography Thesis (BSc)
• Options:
  • Disasters, Environment and Development
  • Geographies of Money, Finance, and Debt
  • Geohazards: Climate, Disasters and Sustainable Development
  • Global Work Experience
  • Advances in Climate Sciences
  • Geographies of Race and Racisms, Injustice, Difference and Identity
  • Global Food Security

Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: ｣9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International students: ｣27,300 per year (2025/26)
• 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

Graduates of this course are prepared for careers demanding specialist knowledge of climate change and sustainable development. Potential career paths include international and national private-sector companies, inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and charities, global and national media, consultancy companies, national government ministries and departments, and education.

Our Staff

The Department of Geography at the University of Sussex is composed of renowned academics with expertise in various fields related to geography, sustainable development, and climate change. Some of the staff members include:

• Professor Joseph Alcamo
• Dr. Alexander Antonarakis
• Dr. David Armstrong McKay
• Dr. John Barlow
• Dr. Andrew Hook
• Professor Dominic Kniveton
• Dr. Melissa Lazenby
• Professor Julian Murton
• Professor David Ockwell
• Dr. Pedram Rowhani
• Dr. Olivia Taylor
• Professor Martin Todd
• Dr. Yi Wang

Conclusion

The Geography, Sustainable Development and Climate Change BSc (Hons) at the University of Sussex offers a comprehensive and engaging program for students interested in understanding the complex interactions between human societies and the natural environment, with a focus on climate change and sustainability. With its strong academic foundation, fieldwork opportunities, and career support, this course prepares graduates for a wide range of professional paths in sustainable development and climate change mitigation.