BA (Hons) Global Development with Politics
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L2L6
- 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 biggest challenges facing society today are global, interconnected, and political. Can we balance economic growth with environmental responsibility? Why are more countries engaged in violent conflict than at any time since World War II? Do tech giants hold too much influence over government policy? And what power do state and non-state actors truly wield?
On our BA in Global Development with Politics, you'll learn the fundamentals of political analysis and apply them to the most pressing questions of our time. You'll develop a critical understanding of how and why global challenges—such as climate change, political instability, inequality, pandemics, war, and humanitarian crises—impact different regions and social groups in varied ways. Most importantly, you'll explore where to find transformative solutions.
You’ll have the flexibility to combine our specialist politics modules with options from geography, economics, anthropology, media, and environmental studies, alongside core global development modules. You’ll also be able to hone your knowledge of a critical world regions such as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, or South Asia. You can choose to enhance your learning with a development work placement at one of our partner organisations. Previous students have gained hands-on experience in Uganda, Peru, Thailand, Ghana, Cambodia, Belgium, Tanzania, and Cyprus.
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. Collectively our research on Global Development is ranked 1st in the UK (REF 2021).
After graduation, you'll be well equipped for a rewarding career in development, and beyond. Our graduates go on to work in government departments, universities, think tanks, consultancy firms, as well as local and national charities.
Study and Modules
Structure
The core modules of your first year will provide you with a strong grounding in the study of development, before you’re introduced to key political lenses and learn how we can use these to understand inequality and social change. You'll study the definition and location of power, and the role that governments, international organisations, transnational corporations, NGOs, civil society and individuals play in bringing about (or resisting) social change.
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
Our teaching staff are actively researching real-world issues and bring 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 by academic experts, while seminars are student-led. Both lectures and seminars are highly interactive, pushing the boundaries of active learning with classroom debates, role play, and commenting on videos, amongst other techniques. 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 a variety of assessments including essays, classroom and online tests, and group presentations, depending on the modules that you choose. You'll receive formative feedback both on written and oral work to make improvements for your summative assessments. Following the principles of active learning, we organise peer-based discussions to allow you to discuss your ideas with one another, before receiving feedback from your lecturers. In your first year and throughout your degree, you’ll get detailed feedback on your assessments to help you develop your skills and improve your work.
Structure
In your second year, you'll advance your knowledge of the interplay between social and political forces in global development, highlighting how individual behaviour and structural context interact with each other. You'll study the role of media in political development processes, including how media functions in the mobilisation or repression of social movements, the maintenance of democracy and, linked to this, the protection of human rights. As part of your core modules, you'll develop your research skills for the study of global development, learning how to design surveys and conduct interviews, amongst many other skills.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)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.
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. We’ll use new assessment types such as case study briefs that test your abilities to undertake political analyses of development in particular contexts.
Structure
In your final year, you'll gain in-depth knowledge of the causes, dynamics and possible solutions to wars and humanitarian crises. In your optional modules, you can choose from a range of more specialised modules that deal with topics of political and social development, allowing you to deepen your understanding of critical development issues. Options include modules focusing on migration, urban transformation, and environmental justice. This year also places greater emphasis on employability and independent study, by giving you the opportunity to do a development work placement and write a dissertation on a topic you’re passionate about.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)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 teaching sessions, but with a greater emphasis on developing your independent study skills. You’ll have the option to research and write a dissertation which is a large individual project that requires you to apply the research skills which you’ve acquired 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.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a wide range of organisations related to global development, and beyond. Our graduates now work in government agencies, international organisations, private sector companies, consultancy firms, non-governmental organisations, and humanitarian bodies. You can also use the academic and transferable skills gained from our degrees for careers in business, media, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- International organisations
- Governments
- Non-governmental organisations
- Activism and campaigning
- Private Sector
Discover more on our Careers webpages and in our Life after DEV brochure.
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
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
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 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 Distinction.
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
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
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
A levels
AAB
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- 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
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: