BA (Hons) Geography with Global Development with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course Overview
Have you ever wondered why societies are so unequal? How processes of colonialism, globalisation, urbanisation, and (de)industrialisation have transformed people’s lives? Or considered how uneven development emerges at the global, regional, national, and local scales, and what we can do about it? What are the causes and consequences of social polarisation and inequalities between groups? How do people challenge, resist, and transform spatial difference and social injustice? And how can we understand the complex interactions between people, communities, and their wider environments in order to create a better future for everyone?
Learn to tackle these big questions – and many more – in our BA Geography with Global Development with a Foundation Year.
You’ll start your degree with a foundation year to help you develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed. You’ll have the chance to get a taste of previously unknown areas of study in a supportive learning environment with higher levels of individual support, so when you successfully finish your foundation year, you’ll be perfectly placed to progress to Year 1.
Please note we are changing our name to the School of Global Development from 1 August 2023, as we mark our 50th Anniversary.
This innovative course combines a strong interdisciplinary foundation with a specialist geographical lens in the study of global development. You’ll take core human and social geography modules that seek to understand critical contemporary issues from a geographical perspective – including poverty, inequality, race, health, migration, and urbanisation – focusing specifically on the relationship between people and place, and transformative social justice. You’ll obtain key practical skills training, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), qualitative and quantitative methods, alongside in-depth field experience. In fact, fieldwork and field courses are a vital part of this degree with local field trips embedded within core modules, where we partner with and learn from community-based organisations. We have several opportunities for residential trips in the UK throughout the programme.
In addition to this geographical focus, you’ll gain a broad grounding in the key issues, agendas and practices of development, fusing insights from geography with those from across the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, environmental sciences, media, and politics. You can develop your understanding of particular regions in the world, through area modules relating to sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Latin America, and you can pursue your emerging interests through this unique blend of geography and development.
The result is an extremely flexible degree programme that you can tailor to suit your particular interests, and that allows you to combine an interdisciplinary foundation with your focused specialism.
During your foundation year, we’ll work with you to help you make the best decision for your developing interests and career goals. At the end of the Foundation Year, you could continue with the BA Geography and Global Development degree or choose to follow another of our pathways within the School of Global Development.
Students would also have the option to transfer to the BA Geography in the School of Environmental Sciences.
By studying with us, you’ll join our close-knit academic community, made up of experts from across multiple disciplines, all housed within the School of Global Development. As such, you’ll benefit from a truly vibrant, interdisciplinary environment and learn from researchers who are making a real difference in the world.
We are amongst the best in the world for researching, teaching, and practicing development. Come and study with us and help us to create a fairer world.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
All undergraduate students studying in the School of Global Development have the opportunity to complete a two-to-five-month UK or overseas placement, a placement year, or a study abroad year. See our Study Abroad section for further information.
Students on the Foundation Year wanting to undertake a study abroad or placement year can later transfer their degree to BA Geography with International Development with a Year Abroad or BA Geography with International Development with a Placement Year.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll explore contemporary global challenges facing the developing world (such as migration, food security, gender equality and population growth), and be introduced to the interdisciplinary subject of development studies. You will also develop the study skills you need for success at university, developing as an independent learner and gaining valuable experience of university-level study. Optional modules can be taken from the Schools of Politics, History and Environmental Sciences, as well as Languages.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography with Global Development course profile.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your Foundation Year, your learning will predominantly take place through interactive seminars and workshops, taught by dedicated Foundation Year lecturers and guest lecturers You’ll be supported individually throughout the Foundation Year through regular advisor meetings and constructive written feedback on your coursework.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography with Global Development course profile.
Assessment
In the foundation year, you will be assessed through varied forms of coursework, including essays, presentations, posters and exams. You will be supported and guided so that you understand the expectations of university-level assessment and so you have the skills needed to successfully complete your assignments. Throughout your degree, you’ll have the chance to get valuable feedback on your assignments. This helps you identify areas for improvement, ensuring you get the most from your work.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography with Global Development course profile.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Contextual Offer
A Level – CDD
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – MMP
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English 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):
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Alternative Entry Requirements
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is an online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a vast range of organisations related to geography and global development and many of our graduates go on to work in related roles in policy and advocacy. These include government agencies the United Nations, private sector companies, consultancy firms, and the many hundreds of large and small non-government organisations that focus on social and environmental issues and humanitarian work. Furthermore, geographers are renowned for being ‘systems-thinkers’, focusing on people and our relationships with the environment. Trained geographers contribute to advocating for liveable climates, influencing social policy, and managing resources.
Alternatively, you could use the academic and transferable skills gained from our degrees for careers in business, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia. Geography provides an ideal set of skills and understandings for approaching a myriad of career choices.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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United Nations
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International NGOs
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Government (both UK and foreign)
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British Red Cross
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Oxfam
Discover more on our Careers webpages.