Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- CCD
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- Y002
- Start date:
- September 2026
- 10th in the UK for Social Sciences
By starting your degree studies at Sussex with our Foundation Year, you develop a wide-ranging understanding of the social sciences, from current issues affecting the globe to the structures that shape our societies.
You experience a range of subjects in the Social Sciences through modules in geography, anthropology, international relations, development, law, politics and sociology. Successfully completing your Foundation Year guarantees that you'll be able to continue studying your choice of degree from a wide range of subjects in the Social Sciences at Sussex.
You'll build essential skills in critical analysis, developing arguments and self-expression through a dedicated programme of support and development. No matter which social sciences subject you go on to study, our experienced staff will help you develop the academic knowledge and practical skills you’ll need to succeed throughout your degree and in your future career.
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.
The Foundation Year gave me the chance to get comfortable with university life and learn a wide range of multidisciplinary subjects.”Katie Savage
Social Sciences (with a foundation year) BA, now on the Geography BA
Entry requirements
Is a Foundation Year for you?
We welcome students with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, including:
- those who aren’t sure which subject, or branch of a subject, they’d like to specialise in
- those who don’t have the right combination of subjects for direct entry into Year 1
- those who don’t meet the expected requirements for direct entry into Year 1
- those who are returning to education after some time away.
You will need to demonstrate your potential to do well on a demanding degree, including the potential to succeed in your chosen discipline.
The following sets out some of the most common academic qualifications. However, each application is reviewed on its individual strengths and merits.
A-level
| Typical offer | CCD |
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). |
| Extended Project Qualification | We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. Â We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us |
Other UK qualifications
Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes)
| Typical offer | M3 M3 M3 If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade C at A-level and, M3 and M3 in two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades CC at A-level and M3 in Pre-U. |
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 27 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
|---|
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level
| Typical offer | Grade C in A-level and Merit, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
|
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 (grade C) or above. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels
| Typical offer | Grades CC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. |
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)
| Typical offer | MMM |
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). |
Scottish Highers
| Typical offer | CCCCC |
|---|
T Level
| Typical offer | Merit overall in a relevant subject. |
|---|---|
| Contextual offer | View contextual offer Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
| Typical offer | CCC from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels
|
|---|---|
| GCSEs | You will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above (or grade 4 in the new grading scale). |
International Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 27 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
|---|
European Baccalaureate
| Typical offer | 70% |
|---|
Other international qualifications
Australia
| Typical offer | Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and a least 75% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER. Or a Queensland OP of 10 . |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Austria
| Typical offer | Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of 2.7 or better. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Belgium
| Typical offer | Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bulgaria
| Typical offer | Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 4 overall with good grades in key subjects). |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
| Typical offer | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 60% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses British Columbia Certificate of Graduation BCCCC from 5 grade 12 courses We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
| Typical offer | We assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
|---|
Croatia
| Typical offer | Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of 3.4 overall |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
| Typical offer | Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of 15/20 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Czech Republic
| Typical offer | Pass in the Maturita with a score of 3 or better in each subject. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
| Typical offer | Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or studentereksamen with a good overall average. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Finland
| Typical offer | Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between EEMM - EMMM |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
| Typical offer | French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Germany
| Typical offer | German Abitur with an overall result of 2.5 or better. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Greece
| Typical offer | Apolytirion with an overall average of a least 15/20 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
| Typical offer | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 4,3,3 from three subjects including two electives. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hungary
| Typical offer | Erettsegi/Matura with a good average |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
| Typical offer | Standard XII results
|
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
| Typical offer | Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ireland
| Typical offer | Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H3 H3 H3 H4 H4. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Including essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Israel
| Typical offer | We assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
|---|
Italy
| Typical offer | Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato with a Final Diploma mark of at least 71. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
| Typical offer | We assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
|---|
Kazakhstan
| Typical offer | Applicants with Nazarbayev Intellectuals Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate may be considered. The grades in the offer will match the published A level requirements for each course. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Where courses have specific subject requirements, these will be expected to be studied at Advanced level. |
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Latvia
| Typical offer | Pass Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with an overall average of 60% from 4 final state/school exams. |
|---|
Lithuania
| Typical offer | Brandos Atestatas including an average score of 70% from at least three state examinations (other than English). |
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Luxembourg
| Typical offer | Diplôme de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
| Typical offer | Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of BCC, Matriculation with a least a grade of between 2.5 or UEC with an overall average grade B3 (65%). |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Netherlands
| Typical offer | Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO). |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
| Typical offer | We assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
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Norway
| Typical offer | Norwegian Vitnemal den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of at least 3.5. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
| Typical offer | You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus. |
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Poland
| Typical offer | Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 65th percentile.
|
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Please note: Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Portugal
| Typical offer | Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark of 14/20 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Romania
| Typical offer | Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average of 7 to 7.5 |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
| Typical offer | 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. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
| Typical offer | A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovakia
| Typical offer | Maturitna Skuska or Maturita with honours. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovenia
| Typical offer | Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
| Typical offer | National Senior Certificate with very good grades. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
| Typical offer | Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result of 6.5. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sri Lanka
| Typical offer | Sri Lankan A-levels. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sweden
| Typical offer | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include C grades in the majority of subjects. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements | Evidence of your academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
| Typical offer | Federal Maturity Certificate. |
|---|---|
| Subject-specific knowledge | Evidence of academic ability in essay-based humanities and social science subjects. |
| Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
| Typical offer | 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. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit or |
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| Subject-specific kn |