The University of Sussex is set to introduce what it claims is the UK’s first undergraduate degree dedicated to climate justice, aiming to equip students with expertise in climate politics, activism, and environmental human rights.
The BA programme, titled ‘Climate Justice, Sustainability and Development’, is scheduled to commence in 2026. It will blend theoretical knowledge with practical green skills, preparing graduates to drive meaningful environmental change.
Dr Will Lock, co-convener of the new course and lecturer in international development and anthropology, highlighted the university’s hands-on approach to environmental studies, which will be a key feature of the degree. Students will have access to initiatives such as the university’s campus forest food garden to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
“We’re integrating new forms of assessment and engagement with real-world challenges,” said Lock. “For example, in my third-year module, which is part of the new course, students explore political ecology and environmental justice through public communication. Instead of a 5,000-word essay, they work in groups to produce a podcast, conveying the complexity of case studies to a wider audience.”
The course launch follows a Future Forum survey which found that 72% of 14- to 18-year-olds want more rigorous and relevant climate change education, with a particular demand for humanities and social sciences perspectives.
Lock noted that incoming students are already deeply engaged with climate justice due to the tangible effects of climate change. “The world is changing around them, and it feels urgent. They want to be involved,” he said. “Climate change is at the centre of so much of politics today, and people are naturally keen to learn about it in more depth.”
