The Double Degree in International Relations, Environment and Development with the University of Sussex offers students a unique academic path that combines skills in international politics, development economics, and environmental sustainability. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to major global challenges - from the dynamics of economic and social development to climate change and environmental policy - providing advanced tools for analysis and research.
The University of Sussex (Brighton, UK) is internationally recognized for its excellent programs in this field: ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies in the 2025 QS rankings.
The program is structured as follows:

• The first year is carried out at Luiss University (Rome)
• The second year is carried out at University of Sussex (Brighton, UK)
   

During the second year at the University of Sussex, students will explore the complex interconnections between environmental change and global development. The MA in Environment, Development and Policy focuses on critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, environmental governance, and the politics of resource management. It pays particular attention to social and environmental justice that encourages you to challenge dominant paradigms and engage with real-world policy debates.
Graduates of this program emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, security and ecological dimensions of global development that gives them the ability to navigate complex global systems and advocate for sustainable and equitable solutions. Both programs foster analytical rigor, cross-cultural competence and a nuanced understanding of the challenges shaping today’s interconnected world and equip its graduates with a dual qualification and a comprehensive skill set tailored for careers in international organizations, NGOs, government agencies, think tanks and policy institutions.
 

Interested students are required to send an application via e-mail to the International Degree Programs Office by March 16, including:

• Personal statement
• English language certificate (if available) 
• CV
• ID/Passport
• Transcript of records

In case of doubts about the documents to upload or to get further information about the requested documents, students are invited to contact the International Degree Programs Office before the application deadline.
 

A joint selection commission composed by members of Luiss and Sussex will evaluate the applications and might hold selection interviews with candidates in the week commencing on April 6. 
Students will be notified of their selection on April 10 via email. 
Selection will be conditional to the following:

• enrolling at Luiss according to the applicable admission procedure
• obtaining the Bachelor’s Degree by the end of August 2026
• submitting a valid English language certificate before August 2027 among those listed in paragraph Requirements. The certificate must not have been obtained before September 2025.

Students who fail to meet these conditions by the specified deadlines will be excluded from the program and will continue enrolled in the Luiss Master's Degree in International Relations.
 

• Students pay applicable tuition and administrative / university fees only to the institution where they are studying at any given academic year.
• The applicable tuition fees for the second year at the University of Sussex are:
  • £ 11,250 (Home/UK)
  • £ 23,500 (Overseas/non-UK)
• A student’s fee status at Sussex is determined in accordance with the UK government regulations. Please check the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) for further details.
   

• Selected students will be enrolled at Luiss for the first year and at both Luiss and the University of Sussex for the second year. 
• Students who are selected for a Double Degree program have to respect the relevant study plan. They need to accept all the changes listed in the study plan, especially with reference to the languages and other activities.
• The participation in this program will provide additional points to the Final Grade of the Master’s Degree, according to Luiss rules.
• Luiss students will be able to participate only if they have no pending administrative issues with Luiss.
• Exams passed at Sussex University will be transferred to the Luiss career according to the study plan. It is not possible to request an official renounce of the grades registration.
• If compliant with both universities’ rules and conditions, as for credits envisaged, attendance, deadlines, academic integrity etc., participating students will receive two degrees, which will be released according to each university’s procedures.