BA (Hons) International Development

In this BA (Hons) International Development degree course, you’ll learn to address some of the major global challenges of our time, such as poverty and hunger, environmental sustainability, universal education and health care.

You'll expand your understanding of the role and purpose of cooperation between governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in international development, using this to gain insights into strategies to improve people's lives on a global scale.

This course is ideal for a national and international career in community development, advocacy, policy development and public affairs. You'll have the confidence and ability to take what you learn on this course to make a positive impact in areas such as gender equality and women’s empowerment, democracy, human rights and conflict and security.

Course highlights

• Your learning won’t be limited to the classroom – you'll have opportunities to work with development organisations in the UK or overseas.
• Study a range of development approaches, including economics, human geography, politics and international relations, to engage in processes of policy change at international and local levels, campaign on issues of social justice and inequality, and contribute toward the achievement of sustainable development.
• Be taught by staff who are committed to their research in the field, such as Professor Tamsin Bradley, whose research is informing schemes to help support women across South Asia in their search for equality.
• Get experience during your studies or as part of an optional work placement year with an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) such as the British Council.
• Learn from professionals working in the sector – recent academic enrichment events include a guest lecture from the Senior Strategic Advisor to Oxfam, a visit from an NGO based in Peru, a series of training events with RedR UK and sessions led by our colleagues and graduates working in the sector.
• Put your expertise into practice in Model United Nations events in collaboration with fellow students from International Development and International Relations.
• Have the chance to learn a new language, enhancing your employability in an international workplace.

Optional pathways

Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other international development courses to compare your options.

• BA (Hons) International Development with Sociology – study International Development in depth and add Sociology as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3.
• BA (Hons) International Development and Languages – master French, Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) to degree level, and choose a second language while studying International Development.
• BA (Hons) International Relations with International Development – study International Relations in-depth and add International Development as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3.

We’re proud to be a breath of fresh air in the academic world – a place where everyone gets the support they need to achieve their best. We’re always discovering. We don’t fit the mould, we break it. Just as the world keeps moving, so do we.

We’re closely involved with our local community, and we take our ideas into the global marketplace. We partner with businesses, industry, and government to set the course for a better future. And we educate and transform the lives of our students to help them achieve their potential. We stand out, not just in the UK but in the world. We excel in research areas from cosmology and astrophysics to cybersecurity, forensics, and sport science. Since the first day we opened our doors, we've looked towards the future. And we're here to help you shape it.