BA (Hons) Global Development
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- _L921
- Typical Offer
- AAB
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
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
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 will equip you with the knowledge and skills to drive meaningful change.
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.
At UEA, 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). You'll connect to our exciting global development networks through our year abroad and work placement programmes. Common year abroad destinations include Mexico, Japan, and Australia, and popular destinations for work placements are Uganda, Peru, Thailand, Ghana, Cambodia, Belgium, Tanzania, and Cyprus.
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.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a flexible degree programme that can be tailored to suit your own interests and learning journey by drawing 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, just transformations, 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.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max 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
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.
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.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll advance your knowledge of global development through optional thematic, or disciplinary modules and you’ll develop key social research skills through methods courses. Methods skills taught on the degree include surveying and 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.
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional G Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional H Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max 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 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 methods modules that allow you to gain experience of 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.
Assessment
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.
Structure
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 have the opportunity to choose our dissertation option, enabling you to engage in independent research around your own particular interests. You can also take an 8-10 week work placement as part of your third year, travelling to locations such as Belgium, Tanzania, or Peru.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 60, Max Credits: 100)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max 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 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 large individual project that requires you to exercise the independent learning skills that you’ll have developed over your first and second years.
Assessment
In year three 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 other modules with other assessments should you wish. If you choose to do a work placement, you'll write an essay on a part of your work placement experience.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a wide range of organisations related to global development and beyond. 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 a career in business, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia.
Careers
Examples of career destinations include:
- Emergency relief organisations.
- Private sector companies.
- Local, national and international NGOs.
- Bilateral and multi-lateral agencies.
- Government or public sector.
- Think tanks or research institutes.
Discover more on our Careers webpages
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
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.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
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
AAB
Contextual offer: BBB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD
Contextual offer: DDM
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 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.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
Any subject is acceptable.
Foundation Year options:
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
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAAAA
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC 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.
- This course is open to
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.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
AAB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
- UEA International Study Centre
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.
- 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):
-
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 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.
-
- 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.
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: