International Relations and Development

Our BA in International Relations and Development uniquely integrates global development with political analysis, preparing you to tackle pressing global issues. You’ll gain practical experience through placements and study tours, deepen your research and critical thinking skills, and finish by completing a dissertation on a topic of personal interest. This interdisciplinary approach equips you with the knowledge and tools for a career in international development, policy-making, or beyond.

By blending academic insight with practical experience, this course shapes your career and equips you to tackle global challenges. You’ll develop essential skills in problem-solving, communication, and policy-making, preparing you to create meaningful change in global development, politics, and beyond.

You will undertake a year abroad between your second and fourth years at a partner HE institution. This will give you the opportunity to experience a different academic environment and way of teaching (and even different approaches to the subject). Your year abroad will also enhance your employability prospects through a proven ability to succeed in a foreign setting and will provide an additional opportunity to develop relevant, marketable skills in terms of organisation, communication, and intercultural awareness.

Reasons to study this course?
On this course you will:

• Learn from expert academics engaged in innovative research, providing you with up-to-date insights and a research-driven curriculum.

• Develop global perspectives by gaining insights into the interconnection of global development, governance, and international relations with a focus on real-world challenges.• Tailor your studies with a wide range of optional modules, allowing deeper exploration of areas that interest you most.

• Access a global network, engage with research-driven teaching, and enhance your employability through project and professional development opportunities.

• Gain global perspectives and cross-cultural skills by studying at an overseas university, enhancing your employability and broadening your academic and personal horizons.

For a full list and detailed description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/govsoc/international-relations-and-development-year-abroad.aspx

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS