International Development

Description

If you want to …

• explore new ways of thinking about development
• understand the major development issues of our time
• investigate contemporary transformations in the Global South
• study abroad in Ghana, Hong Kong or Turkey for a semester

... then choose BA International Development.

BA International Development examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations in the Global South and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting societies in the Global South.

We will introduce you to debates and controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges: markets, inequality, labour struggles, agrarian transformation, food sovereignty, gender, health, education, democratisation, human rights, conflict, violence and crime.

Our course analyses both the theories and realities of development, and thereby looks at pertinent development approaches, practices and discourses. We review key development strategies, policies, and programmes, including the operations of organisations and donors that promote development, and assess the progress that the various development actors have made with regard to achieving key international development goals.

You will, for instance, explore the work of actors such as local, national and international NGOs, the UN, the World Bank and the IMF, national and local governments and others that are part of the international development architecture.

Throughout the course, we give analytical attention to the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development, as well as the changing forms of North-South and South-South relationships and their development implications.

Moreover, our course combines the breadth of interdisciplinary knowledge in International Development with a firm disciplinary grounding in the social sciences.

We offer specialist modules in many aspects of development, and the opportunity to gain in-depth insights into a wide variety of case studies from multiple regions. Throughout the course, you will learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding various development issues.

We also help you develop and deepen a range of analytical, critical, practical, organisational, innovative, and interpersonal skills and capabilities.

Unique study abroad option

BA International Development also offers you the opportunity to study for a semester abroad in Ghana, Turkey or Hong Kong.

Part-time study

It is also possible to study this programme through a part-time route. The programme content is the same but you study at a lesser intensity. For more information about how to apply, support available and the part-time student experience, please see the Lifelong Learning Centre.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12900 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU student fees
£9,000 per year full-time.

International student fees
£12,900 per year full-time.

• English

Course Content

Year One introduces you to key concepts and debates within development.

Compulsory modules

You take compulsory modules to fulfil your core programme of study.

Making of the Modern World examines the socio-economic and political effects of colonialism, the slave trade and capitalist industrialisation on the making of the contemporary world. You will analyse the history of colonial domination and exploitation, resistance to colonial rule, the attraction of socialism to post-independent governments, and explore the legacies of colonial rule across the Americas, Africa and Asia as well as recent efforts to address some of these legacies.

Global Development Challenges asks you to review the eight Millennium Development Goals of the international development agenda. You will appraise progress towards poverty reduction, universalising primary education, achieving gender equity, reducing HIV/AIDs and malaria, reducing child and maternal mortality, environmental sustainability and creating partnerships for world development.

International Politics introduces you to the complex changes currently underway in the international system and their political implications across the globe. We discuss the main ideas, concepts and philosophies that inform the contemporary world order.

Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introducation to Political Ideas is an introduction to political theory and an invitation for you to subject your own political views to critical examination: to work out what you think and why you think it.

Comparative Politics involves the systematic study and comparison of political systems. You will examine the political systems of three different nations from across the globe, focusing on their respective political histories, political economies, party systems, social movements and foreign policies.

Studying and Researching in POLIS is a supernumeracy skills module.

Discovery modules

You choose discovery modules to make up the credit balance for the year. Discovery modules allow you to study modules that may be taught outside your subject or home school.

Year Two

In Year Two, you have the opportunity to undertake one semester studying abroad in Ghana, Turkey or Hong Kong.

(Semester abroad option)

In semester one, you will be based in Leeds and will take the following compulsory modules:

• Development Approaches
• Development Practice

Semester two will be spent abroad where you will take 60 credits of modules to complete your year.

(Leeds based option)

Compulsory modules

Development Approaches explores the main theoretical perspectives that inform the study of global development, sketching the rise (and fall) of competing theories in the past half century. You will examine the respective roles of the state and market in international development in historical perspective, focusing on a variety of case studies from around the world.

Development Practice offers an introduction to aspects of development practice, allowing you to relate theoretical ideas to practices on the ground. A wide range of development agencies are introduced and their aims and contributions to development appraised. You will learn about different ways of measuring and evaluating development, how to interpret secondary data and the role of qualitative data in development work. You will also explore participatory data collection methodologies in workshops that allow you to gain practical skills in several of them.

Approaches to Analysis introduces you to the ways in which research is conducted in the social sciences, with particular emphasis on approaches commonly used in the fields of politics, international development and international relations. You will engage with key methodologies, theoretical frameworks and methods used in practical research.

Optional modules

You select three 'International Development' modules to complete your year. These may include:

• North-South Linkages
• Politics and Policy in the EU
• Comparative Politics of Pacific Asia
• Politics of Contemporary China
• State and Politics in Africa
• United States Politics
• Theories of International Relations
• Security Studies
• Revolution and Reaction: Political Problems in the 20th Century
• Justice, Community and Conflict
• Comparative Public Policy

Compulsory modules

Dissertation is a piece of written work of 12,000 words, and can be researched on a topic of your own choice. It is designed to allow you to produce an extended piece of written work on a topic of special interest to you.

Optional modules

In addition to the dissertation, you choose either one or two 'Development modules' which may include:

• Land, Fuel and Agriculture
• Violence and Reconciliation in Africa
• Global Inequalities and Social Policy
• Power, Gender and Development

Discovery modules

You then choose a number of discovery modules to make up your credit balance for the year. Discovery modules allow you to study modules that may be taught outside your subject or home school.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 CAE score : 60(Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test : 92

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

Requirements

Our standard entry requirements are three A levels, or two A levels and two AS levels.

In general, prospective applicants for our degree courses will be in the process of studying two 'traditional' academic subjects for A level, with a third in any other subject.

We do not require A level Politics for any of our degrees, and we design our first year modules for students both with and without previous knowledge of Politics.

We accept General Studies as an A level for all of our programmes except BA Economics and Politics, and we welcome applications that include vocational A level subjects: for example, AVCE (single or double awards). Any combination of A levels or AVCE is acceptable.

• BA International Development: ABB.
• BA International Relations: AAB.
• BA Politics: AAB.
• BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies: AAB, including interview.
• BA Economics and Politics: AAB, plus A in GCSE Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.

Equivalent qualifications

There are many other European and International qualifications that we accept.

Further advice can be also be sought by contacting our Admissions Office directly.

Language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require evidence of English language ability in reading, writing and speaking. If you do not hold an English language equivalent to UK GCSE standard, then you should hold one of the following qualifications.

• IELTS: 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL (internet-based test): 92 with not less than 21 in listening, 21 in reading, 23 in speaking and 22 in writing.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

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