BSc INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR

On this degree you will learn how to work and make a difference on issues linking the environment and society at local and global scales. 

You’ll explore challenges such as environmental change, sustainable natural resource management, risk and response to environmental disasters, and unequal rights and access to the planet’s resources. You will learn how theory, policy, power and action can help improve equity and reconcile the tensions between environmental conservation and human development. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of topics such as climate change, food and water security, forests, and marine and biodiversity conservation. At the same time you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the links between the environment, questions of policy, people’s livelihoods and poverty reduction. 

You’ll be on one of very few courses in the UK that integrates social and natural sciences, whilst taking a broad interdisciplinary approach to the study of development issues. 

You’ll graduate well prepared to work in one of the many development fields linked to the environment, sustainable natural resource management and rural livelihood improvement. 

About

On this course you’ll study the key themes in environmental and natural resource management. How do we understand and measure environmental change? What do we mean by good environmental governance? How do we achieve both sustainable development and sustainable environmental management? How can our understanding of these areas influence environment and development policy, human rights and other elements that collectively determine the wellbeing of individuals and communities? 

Your studies will concentrate on natural resources and environmental issues in development, such as climate change, water security, environmental hazards, food security, coastal ecosystem management and forest conservation, biological diversity and sustainability. You’ll explore links between the environment, questions of policy, and people’s livelihoods and poverty reduction. You’ll learn about the current distribution of access to resources, services, opportunities, human rights and other elements that determine the wellbeing of individuals and communities. 

You’ll be taught by academic staff whose research is internationally renowned. We’re actively involved in research across the globe, working on most of the topics we teach with local counterparts and many national and international development agencies. 

Placement Year and Study Abroad

In your third year, you will spend 9-12 months in a full-time development placement, before returning to your studies in the final year. This placement will allow you to gain invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. ​ 

​You are expected to source your placement yourself, but support is available from the School staff and the Careers Service. Please note we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers. If you have not successfully secured a work placement by the end of your second year you will be transferred onto one of the three-year programmes. 

After the Course

You’ll graduate with the specialist and practical skills you need for a successful career in the UK or overseas. 

Many of our graduates work in development, including in roles in the United Nations World Food Programme, UK governments, foreign governments, non-government organisations, and charities such as Oxfam and the British Red Cross. 

Others use the academic and transferable skills gained on this degree for careers in business, the voluntary and public sector, activism and campaigning, community development, environment, and media. 

Alternatively, you could go on to further study with an MA or PhD. 

Career destinations

Career destinations related to your degree include: 

• United Nations World Food Programme 

• International NGOs

• Government (both UK and foreign) 

• British Red Cross 

• Oxfam