BA International Development with Overseas Experience (L922)
- Course Code UNU1L922303
- Attendance Full Time
- Award Degree of Bachelor of Arts
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- Requirements
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The BA International Development with Overseas Experience 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. Overseas and/or Development Work Experience
In choosing this degree, you will have the option to undertake the Overseas Study module (studying at a university overseas) or the Development Work Experience module (working with a partner organisation in the development world in a choice of roles such as teaching, community work or conservation). You will spend up to four months overseas during the Autumn Semester.
Overseas Study Module
The course(s) you choose to study are expected to relate to the degree in International Development at the University of East Anglia. In most cases you will study alongside local university students on an established course of study in a department of, for example, geography, politics, sociology, environment, education, or health. Institutions visited in recent years include:
- University of the South Pacific, Fiji
- Universidad Pontificia Catolica del Peru, Lima, Peru
- Universidad de Habana, Cuba
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Kampala International University, Uganda
- University of Lagon, Accra, Ghana
- Hanoi University, Vietnam
- American University of Cairo
Links also exist within the University for students to study under exchange agreements with universities in Mexico, Norway, Australia, USA to study a range of topics from Human Rights, Migration, Indigenous Culture and Civilization, Land Rights etc.
Development Work Experience
This exciting module provides students with the opportunity to work overseas or in the UK, for example working in education, conservation, agriculture, working with vulnerable groups, administration or journalism. The work experience placement can be between 2-5 months duration, over a period stretching from the summer (July) at the end of Year 2 through to the end of the Autumn Semester of Year 3 (November/December). You will be expected to work between 15-20 hours per week over this period. Placements are restricted to those approved by the School. Previous placements include:
- Costa Rica - Private wildlife park, management plan and baseline survey
- Tanzania - Irrigation work
- Cuzco, Peru - Homework help group
- Kibwezi, Kenya - African Youth League, working with women’s and youth groups
- Lampeter, Wales - Organic farming
- Venezuela - Peace Villages Foundation: School for children with disabilities
- Kathmandu, Nepal - Orphanage work
- Sliema, Malta - Shelter for asylum seekers
- Estonia - Working with young people in urban and rural areas
- Puerto Malando Peru - Rainforest protection & livelihoods
- Dedza, Malawi - HIV awareness
- Ghana – herbal medicine and wild vegetation resources
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 with Overseas Experience 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.
The School of International Development also works very closely with the University Careers Centre which, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, will help students to seek out various opportunities towards supporting their career development. Please click to view the career profiles of some of our recent graduates.


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