Offer holders‘ guide to humanities and social science
Criminology and Sociology • English Literature and Creative Writing • History of Art and Design • History and Politics • Psychology • Social Work
100% of courses include placement opportunities
Active, hands-on and challenge-based learning anchored in the real world
Develop your research and analytical skills, along with the confidence to think critically and apply your ideas to real-world contexts
With Brighton you get career support for life
REAL STUDENT VIEWS
LEARNING WITH REAL IMPACT
Want to make a positive difference to people and the planet? With Brighton you can.
Be inspired by Brighton
Brighton is a vibrant, inclusive city where creativity, culture and community life are woven into everyday experience. Its rich mix of arts, activism and diverse social networks gives you countless opportunities to learn, connect and get involved beyond the classroom. With inspiring surroundings and real‑world engagement on your doorstep, it’s a city that fuels curiosity and helps you grow both personally and professionally.
A GREAT TEAM BACKING YOU
You’ll be part of an academic community whose members are leading the way in their fields. You’ll get to know, and learn with, lecturers, technicians and visiting experts who love their subjects and who combine their teaching with professional practice and research.
Dr Matt Adams is a Chartered Psychologist and principal lecturer. He is the author of Self and Social Change which explores the impact of class and social structures on identity and has also published extensively on social and psychological theory. Matt was recently recognised with an Excellence in Facilitating and Empowering Learning award for his outstanding contributions to student learning.
Dr Eliza Tan is a senior lecturer and art historian specialising in contemporary art and visual culture, with a particular focus on East Asia within wider regional and global contexts. Eliza’s research addresses the representation of memory and the intersection of performance and protest cultures. It centres on the political agency of practices that grapple with legacies of war and occupation, histories of violence and colonial erasure.
Annie Mullin is a senior lecturer and Social Work England-registered social worker. She has over 20 years’ experience working in voluntary sector social care and statutory social work. This practice experience underpins Annie’s approach as an educator, which focuses on relationships and strengths.
Dr Bea Hitchman is a senior lecturer and novelist. Her work focuses on gender, queer writing and historical fiction. Her novel Petite Mort was nominated for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Prize, the Polari Prize and the Desmond Elliott Prize, and serialised as a Radio 4 drama. Her second novel, All of You Every Single One, was one of Vogue’s Best Novels of 2022.
SUBJECTS AND COURSES
CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
Understand the complex social forces shaping people’s lives, from inequality and identity to crime and justice. You’ll learn through real-world case studies and workshops as well as seminars and lectures, and you’ll have opportunities to engage with communities and organisations and conduct research. You’ll graduate ready for careers in criminal justice, social research, policy and the third sector, with the skills required to analyse and respond to a range of social issues.
Placement opportunities
Placements offer you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply your university learning in the workplace – they also give you the chance to explore prospective career paths.
In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer for 50 hours with local nonprofit organisations through the Community Engagement module. You’ll gain valuable skills such as teamwork and problem-solving and enhance your CV, all while making a meaningful impact. Students have spent time with organisations including Sussex Prisoners’ Families, MindOut and YMCA.
You can also choose to go on a paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Wesley, criminology and sociology graduate and Director, Social Value, Savils
By the time I completed my course, I found that my perception of social issues facing people, in particular young people, had changed dramatically. I did my Community Engagement module through Fight for Peace and stayed on with them afterwards – it gave me my focus and subsequent career in youth engagement.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
in the UK for academic support
National Student Survey 2025
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND CREATIVE WRITING
Explore diverse texts and develop your individual voice as a writer thanks to our progressive, decolonised approach. Creative and industry-focused modules enable you to apply your learning, and you will have opportunities to complete research projects and share your work. You’ll graduate ready for work in publishing, media, communications and the creative industries, with the confidence to write, critique and shape ideas.
Placements
Develop your employability skills, confidence and knowledge in your second year as part of Professional Practice and Placement module.
Students have been placed with organisations like Little Green Pig, Brighton Dome and Festival, British Forces Broadcasting Services, Factory Films, The Old Market theatre and Men’s Health magazine.
You can also choose to go on a paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Taylor, English literature and creative writing
The course team are so friendly and they always want to help you improve yourself. They don’t just teach you, but really engage you in the seminar discussions and push you to come up with your own ideas and arguments. I always feel like I can voice my opinion, which has been great for establishing ideas and analysis.
Build professional networks
Through our partnerships with local writers and publishing professionals, you’ll have opportunities to get your work published, enter competitions, take part in creative workshops and apply for internships in the industry. Our Scrivener talks also give you the chance to meet professional writers, hear about their work and ask your own questions about writing and publishing.
HISTORY OF ART AND DESIGN
Explore the world and history of art and design and discover how politics, culture and society shape creativity. Our history of art and design degrees blend theory with hands-on experience. So, whether you see yourself as a curator, archivist or teacher, or want to work in the arts and media, you’ll graduate with the skills and insight required to turn your passion into a career.
Hands-on practical experience
You’ll bring your studies to life by writing for the student-led History of Art and Design blog and through gallery and museum visits, research projects and guest lectures from visiting experts. These experiences will help you apply your knowledge, build valuable connections and gain the skills and confidence to thrive in the art and heritage sectors.
You can also choose to go on a paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Study resources
The University of Brighton is home to the Design Archives, the Dress History Teaching Collection and Screen Archive South East. Collections in the city include The Keep, home to the Royal Pavilion & Museums Local History Collections, and the Mass Observation Archive. The Mithras House Design lab houses our extensive collection of historic dress and textiles, which are often used for teaching. It also has space and equipment for you to work on textile projects.
HISTORY AND POLITICS
Explore the ideas and issues shaping our world, guided by course teams with expertise in radical politics, global issues, applied ethics and critical theory. Engage with research and debate through Brighton’s Centre for Philosophy, Politics and Ethics, and apply your learning through placements and projects. You’ll graduate prepared to work fields including policy, public service, journalism and the third sector, with the confidence to influence positive change.
Placements
Placements offer you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply your uni learning in the workplace – they also give you the chance to explore prospective career paths.
In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a local nonprofit organisation and put your learnings into practice. You’ll gain valuable skills, such as teamwork and problem-solving, and enhance your CV, all while making a meaningful impact. Students have spent time with organisations including Sussex Prisoners’ Families, The Green Centre and Afrori Books.
Lucille, contemporary history
The small seminar groups give everyone a fair chance and equal space to share opinions and take on different topics. Seminar groups have helped me develop my ability to make persuasive arguments by participating in debates and discussions and improve on conversational skills.
Practical learning
Real-world experience brings your learning to life. Take part in student-led debates, research projects and workshops, with opportunities to publish your work and attend talks from visiting academics and experts. You’ll have the chance to make invaluable connections with professionals and visiting academics from across the sector that could last a lifetime and open new doors.
And it’s not all classroom learning – field trips will enhance your learning and bring it to life. Recent trips have included a visit to the Queer the Pier exhibition and a graffiti tour of Brighton.
PSYCHOLOGY
Study human behaviour, experiences and relationships as you take your first step to becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Our accredited psychology degrees focus on applying your knowledge to real-world issues, with opportunities to tailor your studies, gain hands-on experience through placements and work with cutting-edge technology in our labs.
Professional accreditation
Our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – the UK’s independent regulator of the psychology profession. We follow the BPS curriculum, which means the content of your course prepares you for entry to the profession and for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS.
Asa, psychology
The course allows me to explore so many different areas to find what I’m interested in. A wide range of topic areas are taught, and I never know what I’m going to have a lecture on week after week, which keeps it exciting and new. The assignments allow for a lot of freedom as you can pick essay questions which are the most interesting to you, so your work doesn’t really feel like work if you’re enjoying what you’re researching.
Placements
Placements offer you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply your uni learning in the workplace – they also offer you the chance to explore prospective career paths.
In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer for 50 hours with local nonprofit organisations, gaining valuable skills while making a meaningful impact. Students have spent time with organisations including Samaritans, YMCA and Sussex Prisoners’ Families.
You can also choose to go on a paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree.
SOCIAL WORK
Our social work degrees offer a hands-on learning experience, preparing you for a rewarding career across diverse practice areas – from families to homelessness support. Delivered within a consortium of local partners, including local councils, and with a curriculum aligned with professional standards, you‘ll gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a qualified social worker and make a real difference in the community.
Professional accreditation
Our course is professionally accredited by Social Work England (SWE), the regulatory body for the social work profession, ensuring your qualification is recognised by an industry-leading authority.
Ruth, social work
The lecturers were extremely supportive and engaging during our sessions and I enjoyed that the course did not focus on just adults’ or children’s services as this helped me choose the area I wanted to go into. The placements showed me how the knowledge I have learnt is used in practice. Having this opportunity showed me the many paths of social work you can take and the variety of people you can support.
Practical experience
You‘ll gain hands-on experience through practice placements in diverse settings, alongside workshops, simulations and guest lectures. These opportunities to apply your academic knowledge in real-world settings will give you the skills and confidence to make a meaningful impact in your career.
Our local authority partners are key to the delivery of our programmes and they offer a number of placement opportunities across a range of practice settings each year – from work in adult safeguarding to child protection.
