BSc Global Development / Course details

The Global Development Institute addresses global inequalities through world-class, interdisciplinary research, and teaching, in order to promote a socially-just world in which all people, including future generations, can enjoy a decent life. Made up of over 70 academics and around 700 students from around 40 countries, the Global Development Institute is one of the largest and most diverse providers of development studies in Europe, making it the perfect home for this brand-new undergraduate course for entry 2023.

BSc Global Development focuses on the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the Global South, i.e. the ‘developing world’ in Asia, Africa and Latin America. However, the challenges facing peoples, businesses and governments in the Global South cannot be understood without exploring connections with the developed world in the Global North. Today’s challenges – such as climate change, inequality, and social justice – cut across global boundaries and require a global perspective. You will learn how to analyse these issues using different approaches, as the course emphasises insights from a range of interconnected disciplines, particularly geography, politics and economics. 

Longstanding history

From being a small training unit on the edge of the University, the Global Development Institute now leads one of its major research beacons on global inequalities. With a culmination of impressive history of development studies at Manchester which has spanned over more than 60 years, we have educated more than 10,000 students from across the world who now help drive forward sustainable development and social justice for all.

Watch this video to learn more about our history.

Multiculturalism

The Global Development Institute is one of the largest and most diverse providers of development studies in Europe with around 700 students and over 70 academics from around 40 countries, making it the perfect home for this brand-new undergraduate course for entry 2023.

Global reputation

Ranked 7th in the world for development studies (QS 2022), the Global Development Institute has an outstanding reputation across the globe, meaning that a degree from Manchester will set you up for a bright future within the field of development studies.

Research-informed teaching

The Global Development Institute has recently been awarded for its research impact and quality, with 85% of our research outputs judged as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021), meaning that you will be taught by world-leading experts in their fields.

You will learn through traditional and participatory methods including: 

• lectures and seminars; 
• small-group learning; 
• individual tutorials; 
• self-study materials; 
• group collaboration and team work.

You will be assessed through methods including:

• essays;
• team projects;
• coursework;
• presentations;
• dissertation.

“I chose to study at The University of Manchester because of its position at the forefront of global development studies. I was attracted by the GDI’s famously influential research across the globe and by the opportunity to experience a research-informed approach to learning about international development under the influence of its renowned multi-disciplined body of academic staff. 

I was also drawn to Manchester by its reputation as an exciting, affordable city with a rich cultural heritage and by its position as a great base from which to explore the rest of the UK and Europe.”

Madeleine Cretney, GDI student

From being a small training unit on the edge of the University, the Global Development Institute now leads one of its major research beacons on global inequalities. With a culmination of impressive history of development studies at Manchester which has spanned over more than 60 years, we have educated more than 10,000 students from across the world who now help drive forward sustainable development and social justice for all.

What’s more, the Global Development Institute is located in the Arthur Lewis Building, named after the first black Nobel Prize winner and first black professor in the UK, and previous professor of economics at Manchester.

Find out more about our facilities on our website.