International Education and Development (Taught)

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

1st in the UK for our research impact in Education in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)

10th in the UK for Education (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

About the course

Explore how education shapes international development, and its role in tackling poverty, inequality and social injustice. Combining theory and practice, you’ll gain the knowledge, critical thinking and reflective skills to enhance your career. With a reputation established over three decades, this course is highly regarded internationally.

By studying at Sussex, you’ll:

develop a strong understanding of key theoretical and conceptual issues
gain advanced research skills by designing and conducting your own research project
enrich your perspective by collaborating with peers from diverse professional backgrounds
engage with practical learning, cutting-edge ideas and networking opportunities
gain from our culture of research excellence through debates and guest lectures.
You’ll explore education challenges across the Global South and its diaspora. You’ll link the local with the global, and research with policy and practice. Alongside developing academic and research skills, you’ll explore areas including:

• educational access

• social inequalities

• gender and citizenship

• curriculum and pedagogies

• participation and governance

• conflict and displacement

• education for peacebuilding

• planetary justice.

You’ll become a member of our Centre for International Education (CIE). This vibrant research hub has a global reputation with leaders in their field influencing global education and development policies around the world.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready for a career in international development. Our graduates have gone onto roles within government departments, higher education institutions, development agencies, NGOs, and independent education consultancies. Past employers include the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Japan’s International Co-operation Agency, UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank.

About Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Location

Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

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.