BA (Hons) International Development with Economics with a Placement Year

Key details

BA (HONS) INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ECONOMICS WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Bachelor of Arts

UCAS course code

LL2P

Entry Requirements

ABB

Duration (years)

Have you ever wondered why some countries are richer than others? Why being born in one country can mean you are likely to earn 70 times more than someone born in another? Why some have managed to grow rapidly, whilst others have been left behind? Have you thought about what poverty looks like in different contexts, or why some groups in society are worse off than others? How do inequalities arise? How effective are anti-poverty efforts? How should we distribute aid? What is the impact of the global economy on developing countries? What policies can improve health, education and happiness in developing countries? Essentially, how do we improve the fiscal, economic, and social conditions for the world’s poorest and create a more just world?

Learn to tackle these big questions – and many more – in our BA International Development with Economics with a Year Abroad.

About

This innovative course combines a strong interdisciplinary foundation with a specialist economics lens in the study of international development. You will take core modules that seek to understand critical contemporary issues from an economics perspective – including poverty, exclusion, deprivation, foreign aid, the environment, trade and globalisation – focusing specifically on how economic and social inequalities arise, and exploring the policies and processes that can reduce them. You’ll develop practical skills in economic methods and statistics, learning basic data analysis techniques and exploring specialist statistical software, in order to think systematically about important macroeconomics and microeconomics questions.

In addition to this economics focus, you’ll gain a broad grounding in the key issues, organisations and practices of development, fusing insights from anthropology with those from across the social sciences, including economics, environmental sciences, geography, media, and politics. You can develop your understanding of particular regions in the world, through area modules relating to sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Latin America, and you can pursue your emerging interests in other aspects and perspectives of development.

The result is an extremely flexible degree programme that you can tailor to suit your particular interests, and that allows you to combine an interdisciplinary foundation with your niche specialism.

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 International Development. As such, you will not only learn from our world-renowned economists within the school, but you can benefit from a truly vibrant, interdisciplinary environment.

We are amongst the best in the world for researching, teaching, and practicing development. Come and study with us and help us to create a fairer world.

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Message from the Course Director

Hello, let me welcome you and introduce you to our BA in International Development with Economics! By studying with us you will become knowledgeable in all aspects of development economics (micro, macro and behavioural) and gain an in-depth understanding of the economic issues affecting the developing world.

What is International Development

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

In year 1, you’ll take a variety of assessments including essays, exams and presentations. Exactly what assessments you undertake will depend on the optional modules you select. In your first year and throughout your degree, you’ll get feedback on your assessments to help you develop your skills and improve your work.

Compulsory Modules

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-4003B

Credits 20

The module introduces you to key development economics theories and empirical evidence. Topics include the economics of poverty and inequality, economic growth, the balance between states and markets, agriculture and internal migration, population growth, health, human capital, the environment, international trade, and development aid. All of these are discussed within the context of development.

BIG QUESTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

Code DEV-4003A

Credits 20

Students on this module will learn how to think critically about complex global problems such as poverty, inequality, climate change, food security and conflict. Students will also study crucial development issues such as environmental sustainability, gender equality and democracy. We will address four 'Big Questions '• Can industrial development be sustainable? • How do we ensure peace and security? • Why do global living standards vary so wildly? • What is cultural and social about inequality? This module adopts an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach, enabling students to learn about these issues from a diverse array of perspectives.

PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL JUSTICE

Code DEV-4004A

Credits 20

This module will introduce students to a range of key concepts and perspectives in the study of global development, such as human development, neo-liberalism and de-colonisation. Students will learn how these different ideas have contributed to – and critiqued - development policy and practice. Students will also be encouraged to compare these different perspectives, and to think critically about how well they explain global inequalities and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political processes which produce them.

SHARED FUTURES

Code DEV-4005A

Credits 20

We will explore the many ways that people work together to imagine and shape billions of diverse futures on our one shared planet. The module critically analyses the different institutions involved in tackling, but also producing, poverty, environmental destruction, and injustice around the world. These include states, social movements, civil society organisations and the private sector. We will explore the interests and motivations of these different actors as well as their strategies and tactics. It will also show how these actors relate to each other, both at the level of policy and practice, in a range of case studies

Optional A Modules

(40 credits)

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Code DEV-4001B

Credits 20

This module explores the biological and physical basis for primary production within the main natural resource systems providing food, fuel and fibre to human populations. The module has an integrated biophysical core and deals with resource demand, supply and exploitation issues. There will be a particular emphasis on the important processes in production and a number of key issues in natural resource systems will be introduced here e.g. global resource cycles, diversity, productivity and stability of natural resource systems. There is an important field-based, practical element throughout this course.

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNICATION

Code DEV-4008B

Credits 20

This module will critically explore changing trends in humanitarian communication by both the international news media and international development actors, such as Non-Governmental Organisations. This will include a critical review of media representations of development in the Global South and the role and responsibility of journalists reporting about humanitarian crises and poverty. We will also explore conventional strategies of humanitarian communication, such as ‘pornography of poverty’, as well as more contemporary issues such as the role of celebrities, social media and the rise of ‘post-humanitarian’ communication. With case studies ranging from Live Aid to Kony 2012, you will be introduced to key concepts and theoretical approaches cutting across a range of disciplines. This module also contains an integral practical skills component. Speakers from leading NGOs and experienced practitioners will share their insights about the everyday complexities of humanitarian communication and a number of workshops will focus on a relevant hands-on skills such blogging and the basics of development photography.

INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-4009B

Credits 20

This module provides an introduction to political concepts and frameworks that are central to the study of international development. Through studying theoretical approaches you will gain the foundations required to critically evaluate contemporary development debates and development policy and practice.

GEOGRAPHIES OF AN UNEQUAL WORLD

Code DEV-4011B

Credits 20

This module introduces geographical approaches to the key processes of change that shape our world and its societies. You will examine how people and places are connected and transformed as a result of processes such as colonialism, globalisation, industrialisation, migration, urbanisation and development, and explore how differences and inequalities emerge. A central theme will be why space matters, as people’s lives are influenced by the places that surround them - both near and far - and as they in turn change those places. You will explore these issues through a range of contemporary geographical topics, from sweatshops to climate change, through which you will be introduced to core geographical concepts, ideas and approaches, emphasising on critical thinking and practice. You will discover key methods for geographical research, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and will include field-based practical work in the local area.

INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

Code DEV-4012B

Credits 20

Introduction to International Global Development Management will give you key management, leadership and business skills enabling you to make a stronger career contribution to development through helping more people overcome injustice and poverty. Organisational boundaries continue to change and it is less about the type of organisation that delivers development policy and activities and more about the leadership and management skills that enable you to deliver success. This module has a practical focus drawing heavily upon real world contemporary examples.

Clearing and Admissions Live Chat

Open Days

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

In year 2, you’ll continue to undertake a variety of assessments, the exact mix of which will depend on the optional modules you choose.

Compulsory Modules

QUANTITATIVE EVIDENCE IN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5002A

Credits 20

Throughout the study of International Development, as in all areas of the social and natural sciences, it is important to weigh our theoretical ideas and policy recommendations against the available evidence. This module deals with the use of quantitative evidence. The aim is to enable students to understand quantitative analysis encountered in other modules, to become critical readers of published quantitative data analysis and to manage, analyse and interpret quantitative evidence themselves. The module deals with research design, a review of descriptive statistics and a number of inferential methods. Techniques taught include simple tests for group differences such as the t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regression.

ECONOMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT 2: Microeconomics

Code DEV-5016A

Credits 20

You’ll be introduced to the basic concepts of microeconomics and its application to development problems. Microeconomic theories of consumption, production, externalities, public goods, common property resources, market structures, land and labour markets and households are covered with an emphasis on issues relevant to developing countries. In addition to conventional microeconomic principles, insights from behavioural and institutional economics on development problems are also covered.

ECONOMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT 3: Macroeconomics

Code DEV-5017B

Credits 20

The module will introduce you to the main macroeconomic issues of development. You will cover long-run macroeconomics, with a particular focus on economic growth, and short-run macroeconomics, including fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policy. The module combines theory and evidence, relating theoretical arguments to recent macroeconomic phenomena. You will look at specific topics including the government budget and fiscal policy, inflation and monetary policy, trade and the balance of payments, exchange rates and capital flows, and the relationships between gender, institutions, and capital (physical, human and natural) and economic growth.

Optional A Modules

(40-60 credits)

CONSERVATION, CONFLICT AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Code DEV-5001B

Credits 20

This module addresses governance challenges arising from natural resource policy and practice, in situations where different stakeholders have competing interests, values and visions. In particular, the module will focus on the governance of biodiversity conservation and agriculture, mainly concentrating on the global South. Students will be encouraged to explore and analyse contested policies and practices using a range of analytical frameworks relating to ecosystem services, human wellbeing and environmental justice. Teaching will involve lectures, seminars and field visits and students will all pursue a case study of natural resource conflict.

LATIN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5005B

Credits 20

This is a regional studies module which covers economic, social and political aspects of development in Latin America. It situates the region in its historical and international context, and gives an overview of major development debates in the region. The module also includes country case studies of contrasting development strategies.

PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Code DEV-5006A

Credits 20

This module builds on the issues and themes introduced in NR1, with the focus moving to rural livelihoods and household production systems across the landscape. Its themes will be continued in NR3 in the spring. Through deepening their understanding of technical and social aspects of natural resource management, students will be better equipped for later work on applied issues, such as management and conservation, which benefit from inter-disciplinary approaches. This module links closely with the summer Field Course, and with the module on Resource Development and Conservation in DEV3. This module is a requirement for BSc. students and those following the NR stream in DEV and in the joint DEV/ENV BSc. (EGID)

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5006B

Credits 20

Sub-Saharan Africa Development aims to provide students with a historical, political, social and economic analysis of key issues relating to development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Students will develop a historically grounded understanding of political, social and economic change in Sub-Saharan Africa through a critical engagement with a range of scholarship from political science, sociology, anthropology, education and economics. Through an exploration of issues such as colonialism and the post-colonial experience, the state in Africa, reasons for Africa’s poor economic performance and aid effectiveness, conflict and ethnicity, migration and urban development students will develop understandings of the dynamics and agendas of change.

SOUTH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5007B

Credits 20

This module begins with an overview of the region's history before analysing recent and contemporary social, political and economic development processes. Topics include economic growth, social difference, democracy, land and food security, the environment, health and education. The module draws heavily on India, but also considers Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in relation to the various topics.

SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5008A

Credits 20

This module teaches concepts, theories and methods that are fundamental to social anthropology and its relationship with development and change. The teaching methods include formal lectures, guided discussions of key readings, small-group seminars, and ethnographic films. The topics include: fieldwork and ethnography, kinship and marriage, personhood, identity and gender, cultural rights, economic anthropology ecological anthropology, and the anthropology of development.

EDUCATION AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5009A

Credits 20

The module is about the distinctive challenges that face low and middle income countries in providing quality education for all. We also consider sources of inequalities in the education systems of the Global North, aiming for a worldwide awareness of the issues affecting equity in education.

GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5019A

Credits 20

This module will develop your theoretical and empirical understanding of how social environments in different places affect people’s health or ill-health. You will look at health problems and their socio-economic causes at a global, national and sub-national level, examining both communicable diseas (e.g. HIV, covid-19) and non-communicable diseases (e.g. diabetes, stroke), and using case studies from both the Global South and Global North. You will develop knowledge about how ill-health and health inequalities are linked to socio-economic inequalities, poverty and marginalisation. You will be able to apply this knowledge to questions of health policy and interventions designed to improve health. A key conceptual framework for this module is the social determinants of health (SDH). This includes analysis of the risk environment for ill-health, influenced by deeper social structures (such as gender or class inequalities, or poor governance) in a particular setting, how people make a living (their livelihoods), and the nature of health policy and the health services available to people. We are therefore also interested in the interventions which can help deal with risk environments, to make people less susceptible to disease and less vulnerable when they become ill. You will learn how some places have achieved good health. The module is inter-disciplinary, drawing on theories and evidence from disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, public health and development studies, and to a lesser extent economics, demography and epidemiology. It also provides an understanding of the ways different cultures and societies define and understand health and ill-health and why some diseases are highly stigmatised. Case studies from different places and of different diseases are used to illustrate the social determinants of health, including infectious diseases (such as HIV, malaria, Ebola) and non-communicable diseases.

POLITICS, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIETY

Code DEV-5019B

Credits 20

This module critically analyses the role of key development actors, and the contexts that they work within. It emphasises how actual interventions play out in society - where they become concrete and have real effects. What changes because of these interventions, and what stays the same, and why? What are the actors’ intentions, who shaped them, and why are outcomes often unintended and contradictory? The module considers a range of actors from social movements to international organisations. It exposes students to the complexities of policy implementation and social change, and provides a strong grounding in understanding the politics of development policy. Although open to all students it is useful if you have taken Introduction to the Politics of Development (DEV-4009B). If you have not you may have to do some additional work in the opening weeks of the semester in order to familiarise yourselves with key concepts. Lecturers will assist you in doing so.

GENDER AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5020A

Credits 20

This interdisciplinary module will begin by exploring the various approaches to understanding gender and development, then introduces and explains a range of key concepts as the foundations of gender analyses. The module then applies these concepts in examining a selection of important relevant debates: gender analysis of economic growth, divisions of labour and incomes, land and property rights, environmental change, education and health policies, voice and empowerment, violence and religion.

DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Code DEV-5021A

Credits 20

Development and Policy Management will review the dynamics of development policy and theories on aid effectiveness. It will introduce you to the broader aid landscape, the politics of development, and key features beyond aid and project-based support. It will contextualise and tie together the strands of learning, whilst giving you the critical tools to locate yourself within the development sector.

ADVOCACY AND CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

Code DEV-5023B

Credits 20

Advocacy and Campaign Management aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience of different approaches to advocacy and campaign management. The module has a practical focus and involves partnering with an external organisation to work on a real world campaign to help influence public and/or corporate policy and practice.

ETHNOGRAPHY AND BEYOND

Code DEV-5025B

Credits 20

The core of this module is that you learn how to conduct your own ethnographic research. You will develop your own project throughout the semester, by collecting ethnographic data, analysing it, and writing your own ethnography. The module is structured in two parts. In part 1 (weeks 1-5) we will provide you with all the practical tools needed to collect ethnographic data. We will also consider the ethics of ethnographic research. You are expected to start conducting your ethnographic research during this part. In Part II (weeks 6-12) we will show you how to analyse and interpret your findings; in short, how to write ethnographically. There will be a chance for feedback every week.

GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5026B

Credits 20

What is uneven development and why should we care about it? How did uneven development emerge and what can we do about it? This module focuses on the ways in which geographers have engaged with such questions from different perspectives, focusing on political-economic, environmental, and social concerns. We explore how economic geographers (and geographical economists) have sought to explain the spatiality and unevenness of economic activity, examining the evidence for “natural advantage” and contrasting arguments. We engage with geographical work on urban restructuring and environmental governance – which posit uneven development as a product of capitalism – and consider the influence of Marxist theory on geographical thought. We also explore how both ordinary people and civil society have tried to address, contest, and resist spatial difference and forms of inequality. Throughout the module, questions of place, space, nature, and scale surface (and overlap) – demonstrating the disciplinary strength of geographic scholarship for the analysis of uneven development.

Optional B Modules

(0-20 credits)

CURRENT ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Code ECO-4005A

Credits 20

This module provides an introduction to the application of economics to real-world dilemmas. Without assuming previous understanding of economic theory, it develops perspectives needed to support alternative policy-formation solutions. Developing critical appraisal skills in interpreting real-world economic events, topics covered will adapt according to the characteristics of contemporary problems. Embedded within individual and institutional analysis, possible areas of study include: consumer theory, producer theory, welfare economics & market failure. Textbooks in the introduction of applied economics will be of use. Examples include: Alan Griffiths and Stuart Wall’s Applied Economics and Simon W. Bowmaker’s Economics Uncut. However, given the contemporary nature of the module, it will focus on current research and adopt blended learning support as appropriate.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

Code ECO-5006B

Credits 20

Have you been wondering about how the global economy is structured and the role of regional trade agreements around the world? This module will provide you with the analytical tools to explore the challenges and opportunities of economic integration in a global context, emphasising the significance of regional arrangements shaping international flows of goods and factors of production. Recent trends of integration and disintegration around the world will be explored in a regional context, from trade and factor mobility to monetary or fiscal co-ordination, as in the example of the EU. You would explore these topics through individual or group research, including presentations or international collaborations. You will ultimately gain a critical appreciation of the challenges lying ahead in the global or regional economic context, and will be able to communicate these to both economists and a wider audience.

HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT

Code ECO-5009B

Credits 20

In the aftermath of the recent financial crisis and the Great Recession, the Economics discipline is under scrutiny. How can we criticise, re-invent, and develop economic thinking for the future? This module will explore this important question discussing lessons learnt from the past. In this module you will build knowledge of different economic theories established in the past. Moreover, you will learn how to compare and contrast alternative theories, developing an appreciation for the assumptions, the methods, and the solutions offered by different schools of thought to economic problems that are still affecting society nowadays. You will embark on a journey of discovery, studying the evolution of economic thought over the past four centuries, from Adam Smith’s concept of natural order to the current days’ debate on the Re-thinking Economics Movement. We will discuss how Economics has become the discipline that we know today, and what we can do to shape economic thinking for the future. Assessment tasks will address this debate, and they will focus on interaction and collaboration amongst students in partnership with your lecturer. By the end of the module you will have developed your critical thinking skills and your ability to identify strengths and flaws in different economic arguments and methodologies. Your ability to construct informed economic judgements will support you in further studies. It will represent an essential skill to establish as an experienced professional in the job market.

CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE AND POLICY

Code ENV-5003A

Credits 20

You will develop your skills and understanding in the integrated analysis of global climate change, using perspectives from both the natural sciences and the social sciences. You will gain a grounding in the basics of climate change science, impacts, adaptation, mitigation and their influence on and by policy decisions. This module also offers you a historical perspective on how climate policy has developed, culminating in the December 2015 Paris Agreement. Finally, it considers what will be required to meet the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Code PPLI5044A

Credits 20

Who rules the EU? What does it do concretely for EU citizens? How democratic is it? How serious are the challenges it is currently facing, from the reform of its economic governance to Brexit? To explore these questions, and more, you'll examine the development, structure, nature and functions of the European Union. You'll look at the history and theories of European integration from the 1940s to the present day. You'll explore the institutions and processes which run the EU, and demystify its main policies. The aim of the module is not only to ensure that you understand the ‘nuts and bolts’ of what the EU is and how it works. You'll also examine critically and articulate contending arguments on key issues such as the role of the member-states in the European system of governance; the EU's democratic credentials; the causes and consequences of Brexit; or the influence of the EU in the world. The EU is an integral part of its member states' structures of governance and it influences their domestic political, social and cultural life, as well as EU neighbouring countries. Understanding how the European Union works is important in many jobs at local, national or international levels in the public, private and third (community and voluntary) sectors. This module is recommended if you intend to progress to the 'European Studies with Brussels Internship’ module in Year 3.

POWER, WEALTH AND NATIONS: GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

Code PPLI5161B

Credits 20

This course provides students with an introduction to the global political economy. The world is made up of flows: goods, services, capital, people, cultures, and ideas which continuously cross borders and move across oceans. And so it has been for hundreds of years, An array of international regimes, national authorities, nongovernmental organisations, companies, and social movements exist to promote, prohibit, or regulate these exchanges and flows. There are, just as importantly, the processes of the ‘everyday’, the social reproduction of society, that reveal how gendered the global political economy actually is. And one of the biggest challenges is thinking how to manage the fragile environmental equilibrium and economics’ obsession with growth on a finite planet. All this is taking place in a world moving East, to Asia, and in the process of decolonising from the long shadow of Western extractive imperialism in the global South.

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Open Days

Important Information

Assessment for Year 4

In year 4, you’ll have the option to write a dissertation, alongside taking other assessments. The dissertation is a large project that assesses a student’s ability to conduct independent research. The dissertation is optional and you can choose to take other modules with other assessments should you wish.

Compulsory Modules

GLOBALISATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-6006B

Credits 20

The causes and consequences of globalisation are controversial and this module will present alternative theoretical perspectives that lie behind these debates. It extends the analysis of trade and international finance in Economics of Development 3. Specific areas that are examined include global production and transnational corporations, global trade and liberalisation, global finance and debt crises, aid and migration, as well as several cross-cutting issues such as the impacts of globalisation on the environment and on poverty and inequality.

Optional A Modules

(60-100 credits)

LATIN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5005B

Credits 20

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5006B

Credits 20

SOUTH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5007B

Credits 20

EDUCATION AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5009A

Credits 20

POLITICS, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIETY

Code DEV-5019B

Credits 20

GENDER AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-5020A

Credits 20

JUST TRANSFORMATIONS TO SUSTAINABILITY

Code DEV-6002B

Credits 20

This module is about sustainability as an environmental justice concern. It approaches sustainability from a political ecology perspective, paying attention to the transformative politics involved in building a safer and more just planet. It looks at just transformations for sustainability from different sides/topics (e.g. conservation, food sovereignty, water, urban and rural areas, indigenous territories) but also in terms of concepts and processes, e.g. planetary boundaries, global (and cognitive) justice, transitions, transformations, alternatives, resistance movements, equity, etc. The course is taught using student experiences and observations. A typical session therefore might involve asking questions around planetary boundaries and asking how students are living within these boundaries. This would involve some theory but also on-line research and group work and dynamics.

WARS AND HUMANITARIAN CRISES

Code DEV-6003A

Credits 20

Since the late 1950s, far more wars have been fought within the boundaries of single states than between different countries. The occurrence of these violent intrastate conflicts poses significant challenges to the development agenda, as they have often devastating social, political and economic consequences that can lead to severe humanitarian crises. Grounded in the acknowledgment that it is extremely difficult to meet international development targets in states experiencing violent civil conflict, the aim of Wars & Humanitarian Crises is to critically assess the (contested) causes and possible solutions of protracted civil wars. Key themes in the module include competing explanations for the incidence of civil war; the humanitarian implications of civil wars; the role of the media in reporting wars and humanitarian action; terrorism as another form of political violence that is distinct from but in many cases related to violent intrastate conflicts; and strategies and challenges of peace-building.

DEVELOPMENT WORK PLACEMENT

Code DEV-6005A

Credits 20

This module will provide you with the opportunity to work overseas or in the UK, for example working in education, conservation, agriculture, working with vulnerable groups, administration or journalism. You are expected to fund your own project, which must be approved by the module convenor. The School has a database of projects to assist you with your project selection. The work placement can be between 2 - 5 months duration, over a period stretching from the summer (June) at the end of year two through to the end of the autumn semester of year three (November/December). You are expected to work for a minimum of two months and complete 150 hours of work as a minimum requirement. There are two pieces of assessment: an initial reflective piece of writing about the placement, and an essay related to the placement or project work.

DECOLONIAL KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION

Code DEV-6006A

Credits 20

DISSERTATION

Code DEV-6007Y

Credits 40

The dissertation will provide you with an opportunity to undertake a research project on a topic within development studies in consultation with your supervisor. It is intended to complement the more conventional methods of coursework and examination assessment, allowing you to investigate and consider themes and issues of importance to you in more depth. The dissertation is not an extended essay; rather it is a (social) scientific piece of research that sets out a clear question and methods, and develops a coherent argument based on a review of existing and/or interpretation of fresh evidence, and application to theory. Please note, the dissertation is restricted to International Development and Environmental Geography & International Development students.

PROJECT DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

Code DEV-6012B

Credits 20

This module offers you the opportunity to explore how development ideas and aims are reflected in contemporary development practice, focusing on project design and management . The module content is geared towards giving you tools with which to approach designing and working in and on development projects We explore the history of different approaches to aid enterprises, and how they have been shaped by different geo-political and ideological forces. You will learn core tools common in the sector, such as the difference between a log frame and a theory of change, how to create both, and how they may be useful to defining your endeavours. You will work in a team to develop your own project, with a justification of the need, an evidence-based approach and a strong analysis of the social and political context in which it is going to operate. This will also need a communications strategy and a fully costed budget, all of which you will be supported to learn how to do. However we will also encourage you to think critically about these processes, looking at how these tools have been developed and why, and being aware of their limitations and benefits.

MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-6014A

Credits 20

This module offers students of different DEV streams the opportunity to combine a critical understanding of development theory and practice with the increasingly important and related field of global migration. Students will be encouraged to interrogate academic and public discourses around the topic and to reflect on how various social, economic and political forces influence migration patterns and trends, but also how these are navigated by migrants themselves. The module addresses different forms of migration, why these take place, and the impact they have on migrants, and on destination and origin societies. There is a focus on international migration, but the module also covers internal migration. Befitting the interdisciplinary character of DEV, the module draws on insights on migration from across the social sciences, and the discipline of history.

DISSERTATION (WINTER SUBMISSION)

Code DEV-6017A

Credits 40

Optional B Modules

(0-20 credits)

REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

Code ECO-5006B

Credits 20

HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT

Code ECO-5009B

Credits 20

DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

Code ECO-6002A

Credits 20

In this module you’ll explore central issues in the economics of development, along the following themes: 1) Perspectives on development: Examine trends in development thinking, development initiatives and critiques. Also discuss various notions of development. 2) Explaining underdevelopment and development policies: Focus on key models of development. You’ll also study some specific aspects in detail, such as inequality, poverty, labour, and agriculture, stressing the various inter-linkages and relationships between these topics. 3) Applied development economics: Consider implementation issues in contemporary development economics and examine the role of development agencies in aiding development.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY MAKING

Code ENV-5002B

Credits 20

The most significant obstacles to problem solving are often political, not scientific or technological. This module examines the emergence and processes of environmental politics. It analyses these from different theoretical perspectives, particularly theories of power and public policy making. The module is focused on contemporary examples of politics and policy making at UK, EU and international levels. The module supports student-led learning by enabling students to select (and develop their own theoretical interpretations of) ‘real world’ examples of politics. Assessment is via seminar slides and a case study essay. The module assumes no prior knowledge of politics.

CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE AND POLICY

Code ENV-5003A

Credits 20

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS

Code ENV-6012B

Credits 20

Environmental economics provides a set of tools and principles which can be useful in understanding natural resource management issues. This module introduces you to key principles and tools of environmental economics for students who have not studied the subject previously. It then explores how these principles can be applied to address a number of complex economy-environment problems including climate change, over-fishing and water resources management. In this module you will have the opportunity to practically apply cost-benefit analysis as a framework for decision-making and will gain knowledge on the key non-market valuation techniques that are used to monetarily value environmental goods and services. At the end of the module you will have gained insights into how environmental economics is used in developing natural resource management policy as well as some of the challenges in using environmental economics in policy-making.

ENERGY AND PEOPLE

Code ENV-6026B

Credits 20

Modern everyday life rests fundamentally on the availability of energy. Since the 1970s, however, serious concerns have been raised about the sustainability of current energy systems. Traditionally, these problems have been analysed (and solutions proposed) from within the engineering and physical sciences. Understanding, managing and attempting to solve energy problems, however, demands a thorough appreciation of how people, at a range of scales, engage with energy in the course of their daily lives. This is a critical challenge for the social sciences, and will be the core focus of this module. Through this module, you will discover and explore a range of social science perspectives on the inter-relationships between energy and people. You will learn how to apply these ideas to contemporary energy problems and use them to generate your own visions for a sustainable energy future. You’ll also be given the chance to work as part of a team and to communicate your ideas through both written and oral presentation. You’ll begin by tracing the history and development of energy intensive societies and everyday lives as a means of understanding how energy has emerged as a key sustainability problem. You’ll then go into more depth around different theories of social and technical change before exploring how these can be used to critically analyse a range of people-based solutions to energy problems that are currently being tried and tested around the world. You’ll learn through a combination of lectures and seminars involving interactive group projects, class debates, practical exercises and student-led learning. At the end of the module, you will have developed the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to allow you to apply theories of social and technical change to a range of real-world energy problems. You’ll be able to develop and critically analyse your own (and already existing) visions of a sustainable energy future, and you’ll be able to creatively communicate these ideas to a range of different audiences.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Code PPLI5044A

Credits 20

POWER, WEALTH AND NATIONS: GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

Code PPLI5161B

Credits 20

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

A Levels

ABB or BBB with an A in the Extended Project

T Levels

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.

BTEC

 DDM excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration

Scottish highers

AAABB

Scottish highers advanced

BCC

Irish leaving certificate

3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3

Access course

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3

European Baccalaureate

75%

International Baccalaureate

32 points

GCSE offer

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE. 

Additional entry requirements

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as:

BA Geography and International Development with a Foundation Year

BA International Development with a Foundation Year

International Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.

INTO UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA 

If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed 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: 

International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science (for Year 1 entry to UEA) 

International Foundation in Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences (for Year 1 entry to UEA) 

International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering (for Year 1 entry to UEA) 

International Foundation in Business Economics Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA) 

International Foundation in Humanities and Law (for Year 1 entry to UEA) 

International Year One in International Development with Media (for Year 2 entry to UEA) 

Alternative Entry Requirements

UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level. 

Important note

Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your 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.

Students for whom english is a 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) for year 1 entry

IELTS:  6.5 overall (minimum  6.0  in all components) for year 2 entry

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list. 

INTO University of East Anglia  

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: 

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time. 

Gap year

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. 

Intakes

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year. 

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Course Reference Number: 6774924

BA (Hons) INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH ECONOMICS WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR