Early clearing information
This course is available through clearing for home and international applicants
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Global Development
- Typical A-level offer: AAB
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBB
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £29,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.
You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies.
Find out about our funding opportunities
Course unit details:
Skills for Global Development Studies 1 (Qualitative Methods)
Unit code | MGDI10001 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
In this course unit, you will develop your academic research skills, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. Through the presentation of scholarly readings and applied examples, we will explore a variety of qualitative research approaches, considering issues of epistemology (ways of knowing), methodology (ways of examining), and representation (academic analysis, writing and reporting) with a critical focus on decolonization. Central to the module’s narrative are issues related to the masculinization and colonization of knowledge and how the recognition of alternatives, such as indigenous and communitarian epistemologies, complements the Socratic, Cartesian, and Kantian traditions.
Aims
In this course unit, you will develop your academic research skills, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. Through the presentation of scholarly readings and applied examples, we will explore a variety of qualitative research approaches, considering issues of epistemology (ways of knowing), methodology (ways of examining), and representation (academic analysis, writing and reporting) with a critical focus on decolonization. Central to the module’s narrative are issues related to the masculinization and colonization of knowledge and how the recognition of alternatives, such as indigenous and communitarian epistemologies, complements the Socratic, Cartesian, and Kantian traditions.
Teaching and learning methods
• Lectures
In your lectures, I will introduce you to the main issues, concepts and theories involved in the scientific research process. We will also explore a range of qualitative methods together and learn how to best match your method to your research question. All the lectures are going to be interactive: your attendance and active participation are an integral part of your learning experience in this course, and you are expected to attend all your lectures.
• Tutorials
In the tutorials, you will get the chance to discuss, practice and critically assess qualitative research methods in use. Each tutorial will begin with a discussion and a Q&A session, followed by a group exercise. In the second part of the class, you will work on your reflective research portfolio (Assessment #1). The research portfolio exercise is designed to deepen your understanding of qualitative research concepts, methods, and skills. It will also help you prepare for your final research report (Assessment #2).
Knowledge and understanding
- Comprehend the key concepts, methods and skills used in qualitative research in global development studies
- Critically assess and reflect upon the processes of knowledge making, including hierarchies of knowledge, indigenous knowledge systems and decolonial methods
Intellectual skills
- Describe the principles for ethical research and explain the role of positionality in research
- Develop timely, relevant and answerable research questions for qualitative studies and ground them in existing scholarly literatures
- Evaluate and critically appraise the research designs used in qualitative research studies
Practical skills
- Use, locate and reference academic and non-academic literature
- Differentiate between the different qualitative methods for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing qualitative data
- Design and carry-out a qualitative research project, from developing research questions, selecting appropriate methods and analyzing data to interpreting and presenting key findings
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Plan, manage and implement applied qualitative research project
- Work independently and with others
- Communicate in writing and verbally using critical, reflexive and professional language and tone
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Report | 40% |
Portfolio | 60% |
Feedback methods
Formative feedback on your Assignment #1 in our tutorials: this will include comments from the Academic as well as constructive comments from fellow students (peer feedback).
You will receive formative feedback on your Assignment #2 upon submitting your topic (1), and your outline (2). Please consult the assignment information sheets for more details.
Recommended reading
Alasuutari, P., Brannen, J., & Bickman, L. (2008). The SAGE handbook of social research methods. London: Sage
Desai, V., & Potter, R. (Eds.). (2006). Doing development research. London: Sage.
Flick, U. (2022). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research design (vols 1-2). London: Sage.
Flick, U. (2013). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Data Analysis. London: Sage.
Lareau, A. (2021). Listening to People: A Practical Guide to Interviewing, Participant. Observation, Data Analysis, and Writing It All Up. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 22 |
Tutorials | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 156 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Katarzyna Cieslik | Unit coordinator |