BA (Hons) International Development
Southsea, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
GBP 9,250 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
In this BA (Hons) International Development degree course, you’ll learn to address some of the major global challenges of our time, such as poverty and hunger, environmental sustainability, universal education and health care.
You'll expand your understanding of the role and purpose of cooperation between governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in international development, using this to gain insights into strategies to improve people's lives on a global scale.
This course is ideal for a national and international career in community development, advocacy, policy development and public affairs. You'll have the confidence and ability to take what you learn on this course to make a positive impact in areas such as gender equality and women’s empowerment, democracy, human rights and conflict and security.
Course highlights
- Your learning won’t be limited to the classroom – you'll have opportunities to work with development organisations in the UK or overseas.
- Study a range of development approaches, including economics, human geography, politics and international relations, to engage in processes of policy change at international and local levels, campaign on issues of social justice and inequality, and contribute toward the achievement of sustainable development.
- Be taught by staff who are committed to their research in the field, such as Professor Tamsin Bradley, whose research is informing schemes to help support women across South Asia in their search for equality.
- Get experience during your studies or as part of an optional work placement year with an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) such as the British Council.
- Learn from professionals working in the sector – recent academic enrichment events include a guest lecture from the Senior Strategic Advisor to Oxfam, a visit from an NGO based in Peru, a series of training events with RedR UK and sessions led by our colleagues and graduates working in the sector.
- Put your expertise into practice in Model United Nations events in collaboration with fellow students from International Development and International Relations.
- Have the chance to learn a new language, enhancing your employability in an international workplace.
Optional pathways
Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other international development courses to compare your options.
- BA (Hons) International Development with Sociology – study International Development in depth and add Sociology as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3.
- BA (Hons) International Development and Languages – master French, Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) to degree level, and choose a second language while studying International Development.
- BA (Hons) International Relations with International Development – study International Relations in-depth and add International Development as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules this year include:
- Global Development – 20 credits
- International Development: Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP L4) – 0 credits
- Introduction to Development Studies: Policy & Practice – 20 credits
- Key Themes in International Relations – 20 credits
- Performing Like a Pro: Skills for Professional & Academic Success (ID) – 40 credits
- the Making of The Global South – 20 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
Year 2
Core modules this year include:
- Economics and Politics of Development – 20 credits
- Global Environmental Issues and Concerns – 20 credits
- International Development: Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP L5) – 0 credits
Optional modules this year include:
- Analysing Foreign Policy – 20 credits
- Development Economics L5 – 20 credits
- Development and Democracy in Latin America – 20 credits
- East Asian States and Societies – 20 credits
- Empire and its Afterlives in Britain, Europe, and Africa – 20 credits
- Gender and Social Justice – 20 credits
- International Community Development – 20 credits
- Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
- Managing Across Cultures (FHEQ5) – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Professional Experience L5 – 20 credits
- Russian and Eurasian Politics – 20 credits
- Study Abroad – 60 credits
Year 3
Core modules this year include:
- International Development: Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP L6) – 0 credits
- Rethinking Aid and Development – 20 credits
Optional modules this year include:
- Africa Revisited: Nation Building and 'State Fragility' in Post-Colonial Africa – 20 credits
- China and East Asian Economies – 20 credits
- Dissertation (International Development) – 40 credits
- Global Capitalism: Past, Present and Future – 20 credits
- Global Health – 20 credits
- Independent Project – 20 credits
- Learning from Experience – 20 credits
- Major Project – 40 credits
- NGOs and Social Movements – 20 credits
- Professional Development: Recruiters and Candidates – 20 credits
- Professional Experience L6 – 20 credits
- Race, Rights and Development: Global Perspectives on Inequality and Social Justice – 20 credits
- Transitional Justice and Human Rights – 20 credits
Placement year opportunities
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in international development, giving you the chance to grow your professional network and enhance your CV.
We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.
Students have completed work placements at organisations such as:
- British Council
- Otra Cosa Network
- GlobalGiving
- Freedom from Torture
- SEK International Schools
- TearFund
- Catholic Agency For Overseas Development
Internship opportunities
As part of your core course programme, you’ll take part in a 'mini' internship connected to an ongoing research project at the University. You’ll choose from several internships carefully selected by your lecturers to further develop your skills in areas critical to a career in international development, such as communication and project management.
A previous student interned in a communications role for Gender Focus, a research team involved in areas such as gender-based violence and cultural practices that harm women and girls. Their responsibilities included social media management of the Instagram account and organising research webinars.
Volunteering opportunities
Volunteering for local, national and international charities is a great way to build up work experience before graduating into international development. Taking on a role with a local charity or interning over the summer for a non-governmental organisation (NGO) shows future employers you have a passion for making a difference and an independent drive to develop your skills in the industry.
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities to match your ambitions.
Our Volunteering Team in the Careers and Employability Service supports around 100 local and national charities and organisations. Each year, our students volunteer more than 60,000 hours at organisations including Motiv8, the Mary Rose Museum, Citizens Advice Havant, Portsmouth Football Club and Portsmouth Mediation Service. In 2019/20, student volunteers contributed £493,700 to the local economy.
Career Opportunities
When you graduate, you'll have an extensive range of skills, including analysis, criticism and argument, communication and problem-solving, that you can use in your future role advocating for and creating pathways to positive change. You'll be ready to take on roles in organisations that put people at the heart of their strategies and policies in policy and outreach.
You could also continue your studies at the postgraduate level with a Master’s in International Development or take the next step into research that could inform policy with a PhD. Discover the areas you could make a difference in by exploring the research at Portsmouth around Area Studies and Global Governance.
No matter what route you take, the skills and knowledge you develop in this course will prepare you for a rewarding role in making a difference in the lives of others.
What can you do with an international development degree?
This course gives you the skills for careers in areas such as:
- international community development
- civil service
- fundraising, campaigning and advocacy
- policy development
- social enterprise
- corporate social responsibility
- public affairs
- project management
What jobs can you do with an international development degree?
Our graduates have gone on to roles such as:
- programme management, support and evaluation roles for international agencies and non-governmental organisations
- fundraising development coordinator
- human rights advocacy
- media and digital content lead
- social researcher
- community development practitioner
- sustainable sourcing specialist for multinational corporations
- teacher
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments and companies such as:
- Save the Children
- Street Doctors
- CAFOD
- the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- the Department of International Development
- Shelterbox
- British Chamber of Commerce
- Universal Music Group
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work experience. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role.