International Development and Politics
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time with time abroad
- 29/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
On this International Development and Politics degree you will explore some of the world’s most pressing development challenges, from poverty and inequality, to migration, conflict and climate change.
In our increasingly globalised world, these problems are growing in complexity and significance. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to tackle these challenges by 2030, but this will require global effort, co-ordination and vision.
This course combines a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of international development with core disciplinary training in politics, power and political economy. You will examine contested debates on democracy and development, the role of patronage in development, and the politics of social exclusion. You will apply political theories to a variety of examples of development and change from across the world, and critically examine different forms of development assistance.
You will apply a political lens to understanding and addressing the challenges of global development and learn how development is affected by politics at all levels, from the political economy of international assistance, to domestic politics and local power dynamics. You will explore the implications of politics for poverty, conflict and inequality through a range of case studies and practical exercises.
Why study this course?
On this course you will:
-Gain knowledge and understanding of key global challenges, and explore a variety of real-world examples of international development and change.
-Have an opportunity to see international development in practice, through a study visit to a low or middle-income country.
-Focus on your professional development through practical exercises and projects, with the option of taking up a work placement in your second year.
-Be taught by academics engaged in research on a range of global challenges and impacting international policies and debates in their field.
-Benefit from an enquiry-based learning approach, designed to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills essential for working in development.
Modules
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-development-and-politics-year-abroad.aspx
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
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
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years
Start dates
- 29/09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- L92A
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- L92A
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
A level
AABPearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 pointsT Level
Contextual admissions
The historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.
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