Overview

Have you ever wondered why our world is so unequal? Why some people, some groups, some countries are worse off than others? Have you ever thought about where power really lies in our societies? And what role governments, international organisations, transnational corporations, NGOs, civil society or ordinary people can play in influencing social change? How do people resist structures of oppression? Why do social movements arise? Is democracy in crisis? How do we prevent war? How do we address human rights abuses? Essentially, how do we build a more peaceful, just, and equal world? Learn to tackle these big questions – and many more – in our BA International Development with Politics with Overseas Placement.

About This Course

This innovative course combines a strong interdisciplinary foundation with a specialist political lens in the study of international development. You’ll take core modules that seek to understand critical contemporary issues from a political perspective – including poverty, inequality, democracy, conflict, and peace – focusing specifically on how development processes are shaped by key political organisations and the power relationships between them. You will also obtain practical skills in research and data analysis that will develop you into a well-rounded social researcher with a range of skills that are attractive to employers. In addition to this political focus, you’ll gain a broad grounding in the key issues, organisations and practices of development, fusing insights from politics with those from across the social sciences, including economics, environmental sciences, geography, media, and anthropology. You can develop your understanding of particular regions in the world, through area modules relating to sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Latin America, and you can pursue your emerging interests in other aspects and perspectives of development. The result is an extremely flexible degree programme that you can tailor to suit your particular interests, and that allows you to combine an interdisciplinary foundation with your niche specialism. 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 International Development. As such, you will not only learn from our world-renowned political experts within the School, but you can benefit from a truly vibrant, interdisciplinary environment. 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. In our overseas placement option, you’ll have the chance to put what you’ve learned into practice and to get hands-on professional experience through the Development Work Placement module. In your third year, you’ll spend between two and six months working with an organisation of your choice, learning how development works in practice. Past students have worked with BBC Africa in Kenya, WaterAid in Ethiopia, the Friends of the National Parks Foundation in Bali, and the British Red Cross in London. During your placement you will gain valuable insights and practical experience in a different country and culture, alongside important transferable skills that are attractive to employers.