Delve into the complexities of global problems and discover opportunities for creating more sustainable and equitable futures.
Year of entry: 2021/22
L800
Y50
3 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2021 (term dates)
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Book nowExplore theories and practices of sustainability and global justice with tools from across the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
We are all responsible for the drive towards a fairer world. This course will equip you with the skills to become a leader of change. You'll further your understanding of global inequalities and develop an awareness of how various organisations interact with each other as they contribute to, and resolve, problems such as global exploitation, environmental degradation and injustice.
Supported by the Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre, 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 private and public sector, non-governmental organisations, advocacy organisations, the media, research and consultancy.
Our innovative, student-led approach to learning allows you to develop your skills through practical application.
We're ranked 8th in the UK for Politics research in Times Higher Education's ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
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 and Social Policy and Social Work.
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:
Your first year will introduce you to core methods and theories in Global Development, and allow you to pursue your individual interests with three or more option modules.
Choose 70 credits of option modules:
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 two core modules, while honing more specialised skills with up to three option modules.
Choose 60 credits of option modules:
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 a further core module and one to two option modules.
The dissertation is a chance for you to study a topic of your choice in depth. With the support of a supervisor, you'll identify a question and conduct independent research to find an answer. You will have the opportunity to learn and use quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques which are essential for modern social science research.
Choose 40 credits of option modules:
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
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.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2021/22 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £22,650 |
UK (home) or international fees? 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 2021/22 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.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
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.
Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
We hope to deliver this course as advertised for 2021/22 entry, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to return to a normal timetable. For an idea of how this course might be affected, see our changes for 2020/21 entry.
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 based on an average student in an average 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, practise 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 term time. 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, 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 campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
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.
| Qualification | 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 |
| 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 three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: 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. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Duolingo | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
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
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