BA (Hons) Global Development with a Foundation Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- _8FL9
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
The world urgently needs a new generation to help tackle global challenges like inequality, conflict, sustainability, and social justice. If you’re ready to make a difference, our BA in Global Development (with a Foundation Year) will equip you to drive meaningful change.
You’ll start your degree with a foundation year to develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed. You’ll explore 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 one of our degree programme.
We’ll support you in making the best decision for your career goals. You could choose to progress to our BA in Global Development, or decide to follow another pathway that aligns with your interests such as: BA in Global Development with Economics; BA in Global Development with Politics; BA in Geography and Global Development; BSc in Sustainable Development. All degrees in the School of Global Development offer exciting options to take a study abroad year, a placement year, or a placement module.
By studying with us, you'll be joining one of the UK’s longest established and most prestigious Global Development courses. Our School of Global Development (DEV) is 1st in the UK for Development Studies (REF 2021).
Upon graduation, you'll have the professional skills and confidence to engage in critical global development debates. Whether you aspire to be a researcher, policymaker, NGO worker, activist, entrepreneur, filmmaker, writer, or teacher, a degree in Global Development will open doors to many rewarding careers. If you’d like a taster, check out our free Future Learn course.
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 in 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 gain valuable feedback on your assignments. This will help you to identify areas for improvement, ensuring you’re getting the most from your work.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA in Global Development.
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:
• International development agencies and the United Nations
• Humanitarian relief
• National and local government
• Business
• Charitable sector
• 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
Access to HE Diploma
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass. 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
- 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.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include 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.
Progression from a Foundation Year may also be dependent on meeting the prerequisite module requirements of the course you wish to progress to. Please note subsequent changes to study or course can affect your tuition fee liability and the amount you are required to pay.
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: