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Kickstart Your Global Development Journey
Hear from students about learning, growing, and building confidence during their Foundation Year.
BA (Hons) Global Development with a Foundation Year
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 2027
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
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1st
UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Times Higher Education REF 202195%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Why BA Global Development with a Foundation Year at UEA?
Understand more about the global challenges that the world faces and how we can tackle them. Kick-start your success at university with a dedicated foundation year, supporting you to succeed in university-level study.
Why choose UEA
- Global excellence: Study in a department ranked first in the UK (REF 2021) and respected around the world for cutting-edge research on global challenges
- Supported learning: you’ll be mentored throughout your foundation year, so when you move to year one, you’re ready to shine
- Close-knit community: join a department of like-minded and welcoming students and scholars, striving to make the world a better place
What is Global Development with a Foundation Year?
The world urgently needs a new generation to help tackle global challenges like inequality, conflict, poverty, and climate change. Ready to make a difference? Our BA in Global Development (with Foundation Year) equips you to drive meaningful, lasting change worldwide.
In your foundation year, you’ll develop essential skills and knowledge in a supportive environment, preparing you for future success. You’ll benefit from enhanced individual support, ensuring that after completing your foundation year, you’re fully prepared to progress to year one.
After your foundation year, you could choose to progress to our BA in Global Development, or decide to follow another degree from the School of Global Development that aligns with your interests: BA Global Development with Economics; BA Politics, Economics and Global Development; BA Geography and Global Development or BSc in Sustainable Development. You can add on a study abroad year or a placement year as well. You’ll also have the opportunity to progress to degrees at UEA in Psychology, Law, Social Work, Sociology, Education and Business.
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Meet your Course Director
Sophie Bremner founded and convenes the Foundation Year programmes in the School of Global Development.
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What is Global Development?
Learn how global development is understood and its effects on communities, with a focus on Nairobi, Kenya, in this free, online course. Thro...
Careers
Career Pathways
A degree from the School of Global Development opens up doors to many careers, including:
- Civil service: jobs in national or local government, including diplomatic positions, communities and planning
- International NGOs: working in the global development and humanitarian sector
- Local or national charities: working in roles that support progressive change for people and planet
- Corporate sector: working with for-profit companies such as consultancies and green tech
- Teaching and academia: teaching the next generation or conducting original research
Career Support
Employability and careers guidance will be integrated throughout your degree. For example, you’ll have access to professional skills workshops and volunteering opportunities, as well as chances to build professional networks through employability-focused events.
You'll also have the exciting opportunity to complete a short-term or long-term work placement in the UK or overseas. You can choose these options after your Foundation Year, once you start the degree you progress to.
You’ll benefit from UEA’s excellent Career Central service, supporting you throughout your degree so that once you graduate, you’ll be in a prime position to secure a job that suits you.
After the Course
You'll leave the degree with a broad set of knowledge and skills that are highly sought after across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Graduates are well prepared for careers in international organisations, government, consultancy firms, NGOs, and think tanks. You'll also be well positioned to pursue advanced postgraduate study in global development, geography, or other social science fields. In addition, UEA’s careers service will continue to support you for up to three years after graduation, helping you take the next steps in launching your graduate career.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your foundation year, you’ll be introduced to the interdisciplinary subject of development studies through exploring contemporary global challenges facing the developing world (such as migration, food security, income inequality, civil wars and population growth among others). Throughout the academic year, a new global challenge is studied each week to give you a solid understanding of these key topics.
You’ll also develop the study skills you’ll need for success at university, developing as an independent learner, and gaining valuable experience of how to succeed at university-level assignments. You’ll be supported as an individual learner to ensure you’re in the best position to succeed.
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. Alternatively, you can transfer to BA Global Development with Economics; BA Politics, Economics and Global Development; BA Geography and Global Development or BSc in Sustainable Development. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to transfer to other degrees, including Law, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Education and Business.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
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.
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Global Development at UEA
Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreTeaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
In the foundation year, you'll not be an anonymous student. You’ll learn in smaller seminar groups, not in large lectures. Your learning will be interactive and participatory throughout, allowing for a more engaging studying experience. In the foundation year, you'll be taught by two experienced academic staff, in addition to weekly guest lecturers who will share their expertise.
There’s also an emphasis on individual support, and you'll regularly meet with core academic staff so that you’re supported with your studies and develop your confidence with university-level study. If you’re a student who is neurodiverse or have ongoing challenges that might impact on your studies, we make sure you get the support you need at university so you can achieve to the best of your ability.
Assessment
In the foundation year, you’ll complete a wide variety of different types of assignments, to give you experience of completing varied assessments at the university level. The majority of this is coursework and includes essays, presentations, and infographic posters. You’ll also complete a short exam, so you have experience of sitting this assessment type in a supportive way. In your second semester, you’ll complete a longer project on a topic that interests you, guided step-by-step from the first week.
Our assessments are designed to support your development from the beginning, with shorter assignments feeding into longer ones. You'll get regular feedback from your lecturers and the chance to speak with them individually about your ideas. At the end of the year, you’ll have the skills and confidence to go into year one knowing that you can succeed with more independent study at the university level.
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(opens in a new window).
- 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.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £5,760
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International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
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: