Global Development at UEA
Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreKey details
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UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Have 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 Placement Year. In your third year, you’ll have the invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a real-world work placement.
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 be given a broad grounding in the key issues, organisations and practices of development, before choosing from a range of modules that extend and deepen your understanding of the subject. You can choose to specialise in particular themes, such as gender, education, migration, or conflict. You can develop your understanding of particular regions in the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Latin America. You can obtain a stronger grounding in the practices of development, or pursue your emerging interests in a particular area. This is an extremely flexible degree programme that you can tailor to suit your own interests.
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 academic 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 practising 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.
You’ll spend 9-12 months in a full-time development placement in your third year before returning to your studies in the final year. This placement will allow you to gain invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. You’re expected to source your placement yourself, but support is available from academic staff and the Careers Service. Please note we cannot guarantee any student a work placement, as this decision rests with potential employers. If you’ve not successfully secured a work placement by the end of your second year, you’ll be transferred onto one of our three-year programmes.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
United Nations World Food Programme
International NGOs,
Government (both UK and foreign)
British Red Cross
Oxfam
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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.
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Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreUK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International 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.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
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).
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual: DMM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
Any subject is acceptable.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - Global Development with a Foundation Year (opens in a new window)
32 points overall
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
AAABB
BCC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International 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.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
ABB
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
32 points overall
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) 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.
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(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.
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of additional course-related costs.
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:
Global Development with a Placement Year starting September 2025 for 4 years