Power, Participation and Social Change MA : ��Ƶ

Back to Course menu

Key information

Duration:: 1 year full time, 2 years part time
Start date:: September 2026
Apply by:: 1 August 2026 (international), 1 September 2026 (UK)

1st in the world for Development Studies

Achieving social justice in our rapidly changing and increasingly unequal world is a major challenge. On this MA, you'll tackle this challenge so you can contribute to positive change.

With our support, you'll learn to articulate your understanding of power and participation. You'll have the opportunity to connect what you learn to what interests you most in the social change arena.

This MA is for you if you’re an aspiring or experienced development practitioner, social activist or professional with some background in social change action through work volunteering or activism.

During your studies, you'll gain skills, develop ideas and learn methods that help you to:

critically reflect on your own experience, work, and practice
learn about different conceptual and methodological approaches to power participation and social change
develop your analysis and facilitation skills to support and interpret participatory research and deliberation processes in a range of settings.

This course is taught at the .

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.

I met dedicated and passionate people from all over the world – with them and their commitment I know we’ll contribute in making a just world for everyone.”Yasmine Zeid
Power, Participation and Social Change MA

Apply now

Back to Course menu

Degree requirements	You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please select your country from the list.

Argentina

Degree requirements	Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of at least 7.5-8.5 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Australia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Azerbaijan

Degree requirements	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bahrain

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bangladesh

Degree requirements	A 4-year Bachelor degree with GPA of at least 3.3/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brazil

Degree requirements	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brunei

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or CGPA 3.1/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Chile

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 5-5.5/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 70%-75% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements

Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 70%-75% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels.

As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Colombia

Degree requirements	Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a CGPA of 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 7 (Good Performance).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ecuador

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Egypt

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a university with an overall grade of at least 70-75% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Degree requirements	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with a final mark of at least 13.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ghana

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a public university with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Degree requirements	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 55-70% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Indonesia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with CGPA 3.0/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with CGPA 3.2/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Degree requirements	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Jordan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 80%.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kazakhstan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of 4.0/5 or CGPA 3.33/4
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kenya

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kuwait

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or B+.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lebanon

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA 3.5/4.0 or 14/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malawi

Degree requirements	Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Mexico

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nepal

Degree requirements	A 4-year Bachelor degree with GPA of at least 3.3/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0-3.49/4.0, 3.5-4.49/5.0 or 4.6-5.9/7.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall grade of B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Oman

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Degree requirements	Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university. Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements

Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.

Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 65%-70% or CGPA 2.6 - 2.8 depending on your university.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Palestine

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with at least 80% or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Paraguay

Degree requirements	Bachelors with a final mark of at least 7.5/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Peru

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 13/20 from a public university or 15/20 from a private university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Degree requirements	Masters degree with 1.5/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.7/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Qatar

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall CPGA of at least 3 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Degree requirements	Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with an average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of 3.5/5.0 or 3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in the social sciences or a related su