BA (Hons) Geography with Global Development with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- 8FLL
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Have you ever wondered why societies are so unequal? Or why the processes of colonialism, globalisation, urbanisation, and (de)industrialisation have transformed people’s lives? Our innovative BA Geography and Global Development with a Foundation Year course combines a strong interdisciplinary base with a specialist geographical lens in the study of global development.
At UEA, you’ll take core human and social geography modules that seek to understand critical contemporary issues from a geographical perspective – including poverty, inequality, race, health, migration, environment, and urbanisation – focusing specifically on the relationship between people and place, and transformative social justice.
You’ll start your degree with a foundation year to help you develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed. You’ll have the chance to get a taste of previously unknown areas of study in a supportive learning environment with higher levels of individual support, so when you successfully finish your foundation year, you’ll be perfectly placed to progress to Year 1. Later, you’ll obtain key practical skills training, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), qualitative and quantitative methods, alongside in-depth field experience. Fieldwork and field courses will be a vital part of your learning as local field trips are embedded within core modules. We have partnerships with community-based organisations and offer several opportunities for residential trips in the UK throughout the programme, as well as worldwide opportunities for work experience placements. In addition to this geographical focus, you’ll gain a broad grounding in the key issues, agendas and practices of development, fusing insights from geography with those from across the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, environmental sciences, 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 through this unique blend of geography and 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 focused specialism. During your foundation year, we’ll work with you to help you make the best decision for your developing interests and career goals. At the end of the Foundation Year, you could continue with the BA Geography and Global Development degree or choose to follow another of our pathways within the School of Global Development. You'd also have the option to transfer to the BA Geography in the School of Environmental Sciences.
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.
Here at UEA, we’re amongst the best in the world for researching, teaching, and practicing development, and our students go on to work in a variety of careers in development, and beyond. Come and study with us and help to create a fairer world.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
All undergraduate students studying in the School of Global Development have the opportunity to complete a two-to-five-month UK or overseas placement, a placement year, or a study abroad year.
See our Study Abroad section for further information.
Students on the Foundation Year wanting to undertake a study abroad or placement year can later transfer their degree to BA Geography with International Development with a Year Abroad or BA Geography with International Development with a Placement Year.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll explore contemporary global challenges facing the developing world (such as migration, food security, gender equality and population growth), and be introduced to the interdisciplinary subject of development studies. You’ll also develop the study skills you’ll need for success at university, developing as an independent learner and gaining valuable experience of university-level study. Optional modules can be taken from the Schools of Politics, History, and Environmental Sciences, as well as Languages.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography and International Development course profile.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(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 Foundation Year, your learning will predominantly take place through interactive seminars and workshops, taught by dedicated Foundation Year lecturers and guest lecturers. You’ll be supported individually throughout your Foundation Year through regular advisor meetings and constructive written feedback on your coursework.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography and International Development course profile.
Assessment
In your foundation year, you’ll be assessed through varied forms of coursework, including essays, presentations, posters and exams. You’ll be supported and guided so that you understand the expectations of university-level assessment and so you have the skills needed to successfully complete your assignments. Throughout your degree, you’ll have the chance to get valuable feedback on your assignments. This helps you identify areas for improvement, ensuring you get the most from your work.
For information on subsequent years of this course, please see the full BA Geography and International Development course profile.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. Choose UK 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 4 or grade C.
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
CCC
Contextual offer: CDD
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM
Contextual offer: MMP
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: MMM
Contextual: MMP
Diploma: MM plus C at A level.
Contextual: MM plus D at A level.
Extended Certificate: M plus CC at A level.
Contextual: M plus CD at A level.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4
Scottish Highers
BBCCC
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- 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: 6.5 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, INTO UEA 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.
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
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:
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a vast range of organisations related to geography and global development and many of our graduates go on to work in related roles in policy and advocacy. 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 social and environmental issues and humanitarian work. Furthermore, geographers are renowned for being ‘systems-thinkers’, focusing on people and our relationships with the environment. Trained geographers contribute to advocating for liveable climates, influencing social policy, and managing resources.
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. Geography provides an ideal set of skills and understandings for approaching a myriad of career choices.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- United Nations
- International NGOs
- Government (both UK and foreign)
- British Red Cross
- Oxfam
Discover more on our Careers webpages.