Delve into the complexities of global problems and discover opportunities for creating more sustainable and equitable futures.
Year of entry: 2025/26
L800
Y50
3 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Explore theories and practices of sustainability and global justice with tools from across the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
This course will equip you with the skills to become a leader of change in the drive towards a fairer world. You'll further your understanding of global inequalities, and develop an awareness of how various organisations interact with each other as they contribute to problems such as global exploitation, environmental degradation and injustice.
You'll learn through a problem-based approach, applying your skills to tackle real-life issues from the very first day. You’ll gain the leadership skills and creativity needed to succeed in a range of careers in the public and private sector, governmental organisations, advocacy organisations, the media, research and consultancy.
Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can gain invaluable experience working or studying in another country.
Our innovative, student-led approach to learning allows you to develop your skills through practical application
Your teaching will span disciplines, offering you differing perspectives on worldwide issues. Option modules are available from a variety of departments, including History, Politics, Economics, Environment, Education, Social Policy and Social Work and Languages. Events organised by the Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre as well as the BA Global Development's masterclasses and field trips will offer additional opportunities for learning.
The course is built around a core programme of problem-based learning (PBL), developing your understanding of key concepts, theories and methods through focused small-group working. You'll take a highly active role in your learning as you work to define and solve open-ended problems.
A range of learning techniques including teamwork, debates, active learning and project work will enable you to deepen and widen your understanding of global development and develop your skill sets throughout the programme.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
A placement year provides you with an opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of fields while putting your academic learning into practice. You could apply to roles that are related to your degree, such as the House of Commons Placement Scheme or a placement with YouGov, or to a business-related placement in a wide variety of organisations and industries.
Your first year will introduce you to core methods and theories in Global Development, and allow you to pursue your individual interests with various option modules.
You will also study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In Year 2 you'll continue to develop your essential knowledge with core modules, while honing more specialised skills with a variety of option modules.
You will also study four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject or an interdisciplinary topic.
In your final year, you'll consolidate your learning through the production of a dissertation - an extended piece of writing based on your own research - as well as further core and option modules.
You will also study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
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The opportunities available to everyone in university are massive! But as a Global Development student, you will be under three departments, so you will have access to even more.
Olivia, Global Development student. Read more of what our students say.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £25,800 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
This course makes use of an innovative and student-oriented teaching format. In addition to traditional lectures, you'll have practicals and seminars that are student-led, with the assistance of a tutor.
Core modules are taught using problem-based learning; group work to identify and solve complex issues in the realm of Global Development. This method will develop your skills of analysis, reasoning and judgement. You'll also develop communication and project management skills that will enhance your effectiveness in the world of work.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 7-8 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 8-10 hours per week |
| Workshops | Included in some option modules |
| Practicals | Included in some option modules |
| Field trips | Included in some option modules |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Your time will be split between the Department of Environment and Geography, Department of History and Department of Politics and International Relations, all on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
For core modules you'll be assessed through group presentations, individual essays and group projects. Assessments for option modules may take a variety of formats, but are typically geared towards individual assessments such as essays and exams.
When you graduate, you'll be prepared for a range of careers in the private and public sectors in international and national non-governmental organizations, advocacy, journalism and the media and research and consultancy. In these careers, you'll be able to draw on your knowledge of theoretical and practical debates in global development, your insights about global development that cut across disciplines, and the transferable skills you'll develop throughout the degree.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | An overall average of 80% |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points overall |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| MOOCs | If you successfully complete our online course Power in crisis: Politics in the 21st Century do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
Department of Environment and Geography, Department of History, Department of Politics and International Relations
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