Global Development with a Year Abroad

Discover the cultural, political and historical trends shaping our world and learn how to creatively solve today’s challenges.

Are you passionate about confronting inequality? Tackling injustice? And solving global challenges? From COVID-19 to the climate crisis, the world is constantly changing. And we believe it’s not just one person’s agenda – it’s a global issue that requires a global response.

Discover cutting edge ideas and practices as you prepare to confront our changing world. You’ll debate development theory, explore evidence-based responses to major world issues, and learn the interdisciplinary tools you need to create positive change.

International immersion

You could study Global Development anywhere. But here we offer an exciting range of UK and overseas fieldwork. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to intern as a researcher with London International Development Centre, working at the forefront of international development.

You’ll be taught by academics who’ve made a real impact in their fields of research, covering international migration, urban water and gender-based violence, and much more. We also welcome expert global development guest speakers to inspire your own research, such as Professor Maristella Svampa from Argentina who is the leading scholar on global extractivist industries.

With a broadened perspective of world events, you could build a career working to assist those affected by conflict, disasters and poverty. Or perhaps you’ll be keen to make waves in policy development, human rights, environmental action or conflict resolution.

Course Modules

Compulsory Modules
Year 1:
• Sustainable Transitions (Malta Fieldclass)*
• Global Worlds
• Controversies of Science and Technology in the Making of the Modern World
• Introduction to Research Methods
Students then select ONE of the module options below:
Option 1
• Global Sociology
and one of the following electives:
• Planetary Emergencies: From Analysis to Action
• Global Encounters: Conquest and Culture in World History
• Europe in a Global Context since 1800
• Critical Geography: Environment and Society
• AI and Languages
Option 2
• Global Histories
and one of the following electives:
• Language Module (current choice is between French, Spanish, Portuguese, Modern Arabic, Japanese or Mandarin Chinese)
For full details on all our modules please go to the online module directory.
*Fieldwork module. Flights, shared accommodation, transport in Malta and meals will not cost you anything extra on this compulsory module. Students are responsible for securing their own visas, if required.

Module assessment is varied and will take a number of forms within the programme.
Forms of assessment include:
seen and unseen examinations
in-class tests
coursework essays
research projects and dissertations
project synopses
oral presentations and role play exercises
group projects and presentations
writing exercises/written assessments that adopt different formats and styles and are aimed at a range of audiences, for example writing journals and newspaper articles
literature reviews
writing policy briefs, field work journals, reading exercises
audio-visual productions (including podcasting on fieldtrips)