The University of Sussex is a research university on the edge of Brighton, in the South Downs National Park, an hour from London. It is best known for development studies, psychology, international relations, business, media and the sciences, with the Institute of Development Studies on campus. Choose it for a top-250 degree by the sea with a strong social sciences reputation.
Brighton, United Kingdom
Official website: sussex.ac.uk
#246
Ranked first in the world for eight years running (QS Subject Rankings)
Three associated with the university, in chemistry and economics
Grade I listed 1960s campus inside the South Downs National Park
£22,000 – £29,000
International students, undergraduate and taught Master's
£11,000 – £14,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on sussex.ac.uk before you apply.
MSc Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MSc Management
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MA International Relations
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MA Development Studies (IDS)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 95
BSc Psychology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Institute of Development Studies — the world's top-ranked centre for development studies.
Psychology and neuroscience — among the largest and best-regarded departments in the UK.
Campus in the South Downs National Park, nine minutes by train from Brighton.
Brighton — a seaside city with a large creative and digital sector.
Graduates join American Express, the BBC, Deloitte, Unilever and Brighton's digital and creative firms.
Development and international relations alumni work at the UN, DFID's successor bodies, NGOs and think tanks.
Graduates can work in the UK for two years on the Graduate visa.
Data science and AI graduates move into London's tech sector, an hour away.
Undergrad
14 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Rolling
The Falmer campus is a self-contained site in the South Downs, with Basil Spence's listed red-brick buildings, halls for most first-years and a railway station at the gate, nine minutes from Brighton.
Brighton is a lively seaside city known for its pier, the Lanes, music and a big student population. Rent is high for outside London, and London itself is an hour by train.
CAS from the University of Sussex
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS with an equal-consideration deadline of 14 January 2027 for September 2027 entry. Taught Master's courses accept applications on a rolling basis, with most closing on 1 August 2027 for international students, though popular courses such as data science and management can fill earlier.
Sussex admits once a year in September for almost all undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including data science, management, international relations, AI and development studies. A small number of Master's courses accept January entrants; check the course page to confirm.
You need a Student route visa. Sussex issues your CAS once you accept an unconditional offer and pay the deposit. Apply online up to six months before your course starts, showing proof of funds, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with the application.
Data science, management, international relations, artificial intelligence and development studies are the most applied-for programmes. Most Master's courses ask for a 2:1 or above and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0; IDS courses require IELTS 7.0. Undergraduate offers are typically AAB to BBB at A-level.
Yes. Sussex offers the Chancellor's International Scholarship for taught Master's students and the Sussex India Scholarship and other regional awards for undergraduates and postgraduates, mostly assessed automatically from your application. Check the university's scholarships page for current amounts and any separate application steps.
