BA (Hons) Global Development with a Foundation Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- 8FL9
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Have you ever wondered about the biggest issues in the world today? About how we tackle the challenges we face in our local communities, our national contexts, and in global society? Questions like: Why is there so much poverty and how can we reduce it? Why do racial, ethnic, class, gender and other inequalities persist and how can we change things? How can we mitigate climate change? You’ll learn to tackle these big questions – and many more – in our BA Global Development with a Foundation Year.
We take an innovative interdisciplinary approach to the study of global development, exploring the most pressing challenges of the 21st century from a range of different perspectives. Fusing insights from anthropology, economics, environmental sciences, geography, media, and politics, you’ll explore the most urgent global challenges of our time, from poverty to inequality, pandemics to climate change, education to civil war. You’ll also obtain research skills training. This, combined with the truly interdisciplinary nature of this course, will develop you into a well-rounded social researcher with a range of skills that are attractive to employers.
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 new areas of study in a supportive learning environment with higher levels of individual support, so that when you successfully finish your foundation year, you’ll be perfectly placed to progress to Year 1 of our degree programme. 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 our BA Global Development degree, or you could choose to follow another of our pathways within the School of Global Development, including: BA Global Development with Economics, BA Global Development with Politics and BA Geography and Global Development. All degrees in the School of Global Development offer additional options to take a study abroad year, a placement year or a placement module.
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. At UEA, we’re amongst the best in the world for researching, teaching, and practicing development, and our students go on to work in a variety of rewarding careers in development, and beyond. Come and study with us and help 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 Global Development with a Year Abroad or BA Global 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’ll also develop the study skills you’ll 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 Global Development.
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.
Assessment
In your foundation year, you’ll be assessed through varied forms of coursework, including essays, presentations, posters and exams. You’ll be supported and guided so that you understand the expectations of university-level assessment and 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 to 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 Global Development course profile.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a vast range of organisations related to global development and many of our graduates go on to work in this sector. 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 development and humanitarian work.
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.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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International development agencies and the United Nations
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Humanitarian relief
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National and local government
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Business
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Charitable sector
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Teaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. Choose UK above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
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.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC
Contextual offer: CDD
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM
Contextual offer: MMP
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: MMM
Contextual: MMP
Diploma: MM plus C at A level.
Contextual: MM plus D at A level
Extended Certificate: M plus CC at A level.
Contextual: M plus CD at A level.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
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.
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4
Scottish Highers
BBCCC
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- 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.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
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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- 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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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
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Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: