School of Humanities and Social Science

The School of Humanities and Social Science has a thriving research culture that informs courses at all levels. We are proud of our reputation for producing highly employable and adaptable graduates.

We offer students an inter-disciplinary and applied approach to learning that seeks to examine the world that human beings have created for themselves. We create an academically rewarding, encouraging and enlivening environment and have excellent links with the local community.

From the start of the academic year 2023–2024, all courses delivered by the School of Humanities and Social Science are being taught on our Moulsecoomb, Brighton campus at our newly refurbished Mithras House building. 

About us

Facilities and resources

Lab facilities

Mithras House has a series of ‘labs’, which are used for teaching and student and staff research work. 

  • VR and eye tracking lab 

This lab is used for psychological research using equipment including eye-tracking and virtual reality research devices, as well as an electroencephalography headset and Electrodermal Activity equipment.

  • Stats lab 

A specialist workspace with computing equipment for statistical analysis and projects involving video and audio editing software. The lab contains eight soundproof booths for recording or transcribing interviews undertaken as part of dissertation research. 

  • City lab 

A space designed for collaborative student learning. It is used by students and staff involved in the university’s global challenges programme, our collective mission to contribute towards solutions to tackling the pressing issues facing our world.

  • Design lab 

A space housing our extensive collection of historic dress and textiles, which are used in some teaching on our History of Art and Design courses. It has the space and equipment to work on textile projects. Displays created by students on these programmes are on view in the social spaces of the building.

Partnerships

Social work

Our social work degrees are run in partnership with local agencies including:

  • Brighton & Hove City Council
  • East Sussex County Council
  • West Sussex County Council

History of art and design

The courses in our history of art and design programme work closely with Brighton Museum

BPS accreditedSocial Work England logo

Accrediting bodies

Our degrees in psychology, social and counselling and psychotherapy work are accredited by the following organisations:

Our subjects

Find your course

Research and Knowledge Exchange

At the School of Humanities and Social Science we are proud of the research environment we have created for all our members and the academic excellence that underpins our teaching. World-leading publications, impactful partnerships and influential networks allow our diverse expertise to generate thinking that enhances people's lives through a deeper understanding of humanity and society. 

We offer research study including doctoral degrees (PhD) across all our disciplines. Visit the university Doctoral College pages for further initial information and use our Pure research database to locate a potential supervisor.

Our academics are the founders, directors and members of several of the university-wide Centres of Research and Knowledge Exchange Excellence (COREs). The school also organises the development of some of its research and knowledge exchange through Research Excellence Groups (REGs), which represent key staff and postgraduate student interests and point to growing opportunities in our disciplines.  

Crowd rioting in night city scene

Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics

Photograph of starlings murmurating over West Pier, Brighton, by artist Christopher Stevens

Centre for Arts and Wellbeing

Pressed flowers on a black background. Image by Rachel Maloney, My grandmother's flower press, 2020.

Centre for Design History

Mural by Daniel Locke showing University of Brighton buildings and students

Comics and Graphic Narratives REG

Illustration of digital connectivity - handshake with hands formed from data swirls

Inclusive Digital Societies REG

Baby hand gripping index finger of adult hand. Courtesy Pexels and Anna Shvets

Understanding Childhood and Adolescence REG


Doctoral College

Study for your PhD with the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Brighton. We offer disciplinary and inter-disciplinary supervisory support and have a long-standing success rate with PhD funding bodies.

Research database (Pure)

Find out more about our research in detail including individual profiles of academics and their work as well as the research centres and groups that support our staff and postgraduate students.

 

Our latest news

Brighton named one of Time Out’s 50 best cities in the world for 2025

Brighton ranks 34th on Time Out’s 2025 list of the world’s 50 best cities, making it the third-highest ranked city in the UK.

University of Brighton announces one of the UK’s first scholarships focused on the study of trans inclusion

A PhD scholarship focused on trans and non-binary inclusion has been launched by the University of Brighton in collaboration with The Paul Cottingham Trust.

Artificial Intelligence: What is its place in academia and how can we understand it better?

The piece below was written by Creative Writing BA(Hons) student Erin Bell as part of their Literature in Practice module.

Brighton jumps into top 30 in new university sustainability league table

The University of Brighton has climbed an impressive 16 places to secure a spot in the top 30 of the latest People & Planet University League, a prestigious ranking of 165 UK universities based on their environmental and ethical performance.

Read more from our blog

School offices

School of Humanities and Social Science 
University of Brighton
Mithras House
Moulsecoomb
BN2 4AT

Contacts

Phone: +44 (0) 1273 643988
Email: HSS-Office@brighton.ac.uk

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