BA (Hons) Global Development with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Have you ever wondered about the biggest issues in the world today? About how we tackle the challenges we face in our local communities, our national contexts, and in global society? Questions like: Why is there so much poverty and how can we reduce it? Why are societies so unequal? Why do racial, ethnic, class, gender and other inequalities persist and how can we change this? Do protests work? How do we prevent war? How can we mitigate climate change? How do we ensure fair access to food, water, shelter, education, and health? Essentially, how do we change the world for the better?
Learn to tackle these big questions – and many more – in our BA Global Development with a Foundation Year.
You’ll start your degree with a foundation year to help you develop the skills and knowledge you will 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.
Once you have successfully completed your foundation year, you are guaranteed to transfer to any undergraduate course within the School of Global Development, including BA Global Development, BA Global Development with Anthropology, BA Global Development with Economics, BA Global Development with Politics, BA Global Development with Media, BA Geography with Global Development and BSc Global Development with the Environment. All degrees in the School of Global Development offer additional options to take a study abroad year, a placement year or a placement module.
In addition, we believe our students should have flexibility to shape their studies to their evolving skills and strengths, thus our foundation year students may have the option to transfer onto other selected degrees in the Faculty of Social Sciences depending on the grades achieved, academic performance in the Foundation Year and a place being available. Depending on your grades and your preferences, you may be able to instead transfer to a different undergraduate course in the School of Education, School of Sociology, School of Social Work or Norwich Business School. In some cases, you will be required to go through an additional selection process, for example an interview and/or sample of work.
Please note we are changing our name to the School of Global Development from 1 August 2023, as we mark our 50th Anniversary.
This course adopts an innovative interdisciplinary approach to the study of international development, exploring the most pressing issues of the 21st century from a range of different perspectives. Fusing insights from anthropology, economics, environmental sciences, geography, media, and politics, you’ll explore the most urgent global challenges of our time, from poverty to inequality, pandemics to climate change, education to civil war. You’ll also obtain research skills training. This, combined with the truly interdisciplinary nature of this course, will develop you into a well-rounded social researcher with a range of skills that are attractive to employers.
The result is an extremely flexible degree course that you can tailor to suit your particular interests, and that allows you to combine an interdisciplinary foundation with a 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 Global Development degree or choose to follow another of our pathways within the School of Global Development, including: BA Global Development, BA Global Development with Anthropology, BA Global Development with Economics, BA Global Development with Politics, BA Media and Global Development, BA Geography and Global Development, BA Global Development Management and BSc Global Development and the Environment. All degrees in the School of Global Development offer additional options to take a study abroad year, a placement year or a placement module.
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 will benefit from a truly vibrant, interdisciplinary environment and learn from researchers who are making a real difference in the world.
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.
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 will also develop the study skills you 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 Global 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 the Foundation Year through regular advisor meetings and constructive written feedback on your coursework.
Assessment
In the foundation year, you will be assessed through varied forms of coursework, including essays, presentations, posters and exams. You will 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 Global Development course profile.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Contextual Offer
A Level – CDD
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – MMP
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.
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- 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):
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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.
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:
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- 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.
- 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.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
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.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
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.
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
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is an online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a vast range of organisations related to global development and many of our graduates go on to work in this sector. 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 careers in business, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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International development agencies and the United Nations
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Humanitarian relief
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National and local government
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Business
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Charitable sector
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Teaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.