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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 2020Why BA Global Development with a Placement Year at UEA?
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to help tackle global challenges like inequality, conflict, poverty, racism, and environmental degradation. Drive meaningful change. Become part of a vibrant international community at our beautiful campus university on the edge of Norwich.
What is Global Development?
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 Placement Year is the place for you.
From day one, you’ll work alongside research-active lecturers to explore the lasting impacts of colonial and imperial legacies. You’ll uncover why partnerships between the Global South and Global North are essential for fair and just development and learn how to challenge power structures that drive inequality on local, national, and global scales.
You’ll explore how cross-cultural dialogues, resistance, mobilisation, and social action can achieve greater social and environmental justice and how people in different parts of the world shape development. You'll be encouraged to expand your understanding of diverse perspectives on development and experiment with action-driven research methods.
You’ll connect to our exciting global development networks through short-term placement options and field trips in the UK and overseas. If you’d like a taster, check out our free Future Learn course.
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Fieldwork is central to Global Development at UEA, with opportunities to develop practical research skills through local residential trips, UK community-based field courses, or a subsidised experience in East Africa.
Explore Fieldwork OpportunitiesIn your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake an 8-12-month full-time work placement before returning to UEA for your final year. This is a great chance to gain practical experience, apply your academic knowledge in a professional setting, and build skills valued by employers. Placements may take place in the UK or overseas, across the private, public, or nonprofit sectors. You’ll receive support from the department and UEA’s careers service to help you find a placement that fits your interests and goals. If you choose not to pursue a placement, or don’t secure one, you can continue on the three-year BA Global Development programme.
With a BA Global Development with a Placement Year degree, you could launch a career in:
Our course offers exceptional careers support, including events tailored to the School of Global Development, guidance on volunteering and internships to strengthen your CV, and a summer placement option between year two and year three. All courses also have four-year variants with a full year of work placement or study abroad, and you can usually transfer to these pathways up to the end of year one, even if not chosen initially.
Discover more on our Careers webpages
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, humanitarian worker, diplomat, activist, entrepreneur, filmmaker, writer, or teacher, a degree in Global Development will open doors to many rewarding careers.
This is a flexible degree programme that can be tailored to suit your own interests and learning journey. The UEA global development course draws on the various disciplines practiced in the school: geography, anthropology, economics, politics, environmental science and media. The course is framed by the role culture and society play in development in relation to specific geo-political contexts and can be supplemented by themes such as migration, gender, conflict, transformations to sustainability, and the role of the media.
The core modules of your first year will provide you with a strong grounding in the study of development, focusing on key organisations, perspectives and issues.
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.
In your second year, you’ll advance your knowledge of global development through optional thematic or disciplinary modules, while developing key social research skills through dedicated methods courses. Methods skills taught on the degree include surveying, interviewing, and participatory methods. You can also develop your understanding of particular regions of the world in your second year, such as sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Latin America. In year two or year three, you’ll have the option to travel to Uganda for a field trip.
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.
In your third year, you’ll have the chance to put what you’ve learned into practice and get hands-on professional experience through an 8-12-month work placement. This placement will allow you to gain invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
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.
In your final year, you’ll be able to choose freely from a range of more specialised modules, allowing you to deepen your understanding of critical development issues in a flexible manner. This year also places greater emphasis on employability and independent study. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose our dissertation option, enabling you to engage in independent research around your own particular interests.
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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Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreTeaching and Learning
When you join us, you’ll be part of a close-knit community where you can share your passion for creating a fairer planet with staff and students from around the world. Our teaching staff are driven by four core values: empathy, solidarity, respect, and reciprocity and are actively researching real-world issues and bringing their experiences directly into the classroom. In your first year, teaching and learning takes place through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and independent study. Lectures are led in a large group setting by academic experts, and seminars are conducted in smaller groups to allow you to engage in in-depth discussion with our academics and other students. Independent study is a key element of learning on all our degrees, and you’ll be supported to learn how to do this effectively through your first year.
In year two, you’ll learn through the same core activities as year one, whilst also engaging in more applied learning. We offer a range of method modules that allow you to gain experience in conducting your own research projects in the second year of your degree. There are also a variety of field trips and courses offered on modules in year two.
In your third year, you’ll have the chance to put what you’ve learned into practice and get hands-on professional experience through your 9–12-month work placement.
In your final year, you’ll continue to learn through lectures, seminars and practical work. You’ll have the option to research and write a dissertation, which is a longer project that requires you to exercise the independent learning skills that you’ll have developed over your first and second years.
Assessment
In year one, you’ll submit assessments including essays, exams and presentations. Exactly what assessments you submit will depend on the optional modules you select. In your first year and throughout your degree, you’ll receive written feedback on all your coursework assignments to help you understand where you performed well and where you can improve in future.
In year two, you’ll continue to undertake a variety of assessments, the exact mix of which will depend on the optional modules you choose.
The assessment of your learning experience during your work placement in your third year is carried out through a reflective assessment.
In your last year, you’ll have the option to write a dissertation, alongside taking other assessments. The dissertation is a large project that assesses your ability to conduct independent research. The dissertation is optional, and you can choose to take alternative modules with different forms of assessment. If you choose to do a work placement, you'll do a short presentation on your work placement experiences, conducted in a supportive environment.
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 4 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
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
Contextual offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3
Obtain an overall Merit.
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.
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.
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 4 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
32 points overall
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre 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, UEA International Study Centre 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.
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.
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
UK Students: £10,050
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.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of 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 2027 for 4 years
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