International Development

Description

The BA International Development degree is for students primarily interested in the social, political, and economic dimensions of international development. The degree tackles diverse topics such as social anthropology, human rights, and economic theory but also gives students the option of taking natural resource modules that examine the sustainability and governance of issues such as soils, water, food production and fisheries.

The programme will appeal to those who wish to develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues in international development with a social science perspective. You will also acquire a large number of skills that are invaluable in today's labour market, including the ability to analyse data, prepare reports, make presentations, and work as part of a team. Flexibility within the degree will enable you to explore your interests and strengths while graduating with a world-class degree in development.

Teaching, Assessment and Feedback

Our degree programmes maximise the range of modules available to students with flexibility being a key element of the modular undergraduate teaching structure. With the subject of International Development tending to be relatively new to the majority of our students, the first semester is designed to provide general background information through the module Introduction to Development Studies which follows historical and contemporary themes linked to global change: environmental, political, social and economic. Please click to access the three-year course outline for the BA International Development degree.

Designed to inspire as well as to educate, we aim to enhance and inform your interest in development studies by providing skills, knowledge, understanding and practical experience. Teaching methods incorporate lectures, seminars, and e-learning sessions and student participation is actively encouraged through the use of discussion, debate, video, role-playing and problem-solving techniques. Assessment takes place throughout the period of study, with the majority of modules being assessed by a combination of course/project work, group assignments, seminar presentations and examination.

Your independent research skills will be developed throughout your degree, culminating in a final year project (Dissertation). All students are assigned an academic adviser to oversee their progress and to guide them through their wide range of module choices.

Career Opportunities

Many opportunities now exist in the broad field of international development. Large numbers of governments and organisations are creating positions, budgets and policies designed to address many pressing issues (for example: effecting climate change policy; mitigating infectious diseases; delivering child education; building appropriate infrastructure; achieving sustainable agriculture and food security; managing conflict over resources). These require remarkable individuals with remarkable skills.

A graduate of International Development is a rare but valued individual due to the many skills acquired through the degree that enable students to analyse, understand and explain diverse points of view; appreciate the complex dimensions of development problems; respect differences of opinion; and apply logic and objectivity in different situations. Many of our graduates are working with large Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), including Oxfam, Action Aid, Save the Children Fund, World Wildlife Fund, Water Aid, Global Vision and Concern. Others decide to work for local or national government in the UK or overseas in a range of roles concerned with social and community care, economic development or urban regeneration, human rights and advocacy, environmental conservation, forestry and water resources. Our degrees can also be used as a qualification to enter journalism, management or teaching and a recent careers analysis of our International Development Undergraduates reflects this diversity, with alumni taking up a variety of posts. For example:

• Desk officer for DFID in the UK or overseas;
• Adviser in a think tank in London on social and economic issues;
• Community support officer in Wales, Kyrgyzstan or Nepal;
• Progress to study for a PhD;
• Researcher for senior academic or politician;
• Lecturer or school teacher;
• Scientist for an NGO such as WWF;
• Policy team for Education in an NGO such as Oxfam;
• Internship or overseas opportunities with ODI;
• Administrative officer for a development consultancy company leading to work overseas and career progression.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 11322 Year (EEA)
• EUR 14718 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU Students: £9,000. International Students: £11,700

• English

Course Content

Year 1

We introduce you to contemporary debates and issues in international development. You will take the module: Introduction to Development Studies alongside Evidence in Development, and choose three further modules, from: Introduction to Economics of Development, Introduction to Natural Resources and Development: Principles and Concepts, Social Anthropology and International Development 1, and Principles of Human Geography.

Year 2

You will select and continue with two main subject areas, including a choice of modules from: Natural Resources and Development; Economics of Development; Politics and International Development; Social Anthropology and International Development 2; Geography of Development: People and Place.

You will also study research methods, and select from a choice of issue-related or regional modules, for example: Education and Development, Gender and Development, South Asian Development, Latin American Development or Sub-Saharan African Development. There is also an opportunity to study a module from a different School.

Year 3

You will write a dissertation on a development topic of personal interest, supervised by a member of staff who has expertise in the area of research. You will also be able to study a module such as Wars, Humanitarian Crises and Aid, Gender and Development, Education and Development, or a module in another School. In the spring semester you will choose options such as Development Practice, Public Policy and Welfare, Globalisation and Economic Development, Resource Development and Conservation, or one of the regional modules such as Sub-Saharan Africa Development, South Asian Development or Latin American Development. You can also opt to do a work placement in the UK.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 92

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Candidates will be expected to have 3 A levels (see below for typical offer).
Candidates with equivalent qualifications to the A level requirement are encouraged to apply (eg International Baccalaureate; Access to Higher Education certificate). International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.
Students should also have 5 GCSEs grade C and above, including English and Mathematics.

Students for whom English is a foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 overall (minimum 21 in the listening and writing components; 22 in the reading component; and 23 in the speaking component)
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 59 in all components)

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of East Anglia.