Early clearing information

This course is available through clearing for home and international applicants

If you already have your exam results, meet the entry requirements, and are not holding an offer from a university or college, then you may be able to apply to this course.

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Bachelor of Science (BSc)

BSc Global Development

Learn about the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by the Global South and help drive forward social justice for all.
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: L905 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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:
Global Development Dissertation

Course unit fact file
Unit code MGDI30000
Credit rating 40
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Students will work under the supervision of an individual lecturer to produce an 8,000-word dissertation on a specific research topic in the field of Global Development. The student will identify the topic in consultation with the lecturer.

Aims

  • Develop students’ ability to evaluate arguments and methods in social science applied to questions in Global Development.
  • Develop students’ ability to respond to critical feedback on their work.
  • Develop students’ oral and written communication skills.
  • Develop students’ ability to identify and apply specific research methods that can be used to address a particular question.
  • Develop students’ ability to apply numerical and statistical skills.*

* The relative importance of this aim will depend on the student’s chosen dissertation topic, as described below.

Teaching and learning methods

The course unit will begin with a series of seminars in which the convenor and colleagues explain the aims of the course unit and provide examples of different types of dissertation. A key part of the course unit is that students will (i) identify an appropriate research topic and (ii) appropriate research methods to explore the topic and evaluate relevant arguments. The seminars will provide an opportunity for interactive discussions about how this is to be achieved, supplemented by an initial supervision meeting with the student’s supervisor. Three subsequent supervisory meetings will be designed to help to guide the student in conducting independent research. The supervisor will also provide written comments on a draft of the student’s work.

The main assessment task is a written dissertation; a supplementary assessment task is a short oral presentation summarising the student’s work. The assessment criteria (and student guidance on the criteria) will refer to the learning outcomes listed above. Normally, there will be ten hours of contact time for the student: six hours of seminars and four hours of supervision meetings. It is not anticipated that students will use every single research skill and method that they have encountered in the previous five semesters: part of the work for the dissertation will be the selection of specific methods appropriate to the chosen topic, which will require critical judgement. It is likely that there will be substantial variation in the breadth and depth of the numerical and statistical component of the dissertation. Nevertheless, all students will need to show critical understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the application of such methods, when selecting the method(s) appropriate for their study.

Intellectual skills

  • Evaluate social science knowledge and understanding, making effective use of feedback and employing strategies for improvement.
  • Identify and apply specific research methods that can be used to address a particular question.

Practical skills

  • Appraise the application of numerical and statistical methods appropriate to the research question.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Appraise the use numerical and statistical skills in academic and professional contexts.
  • Effectively communicate in writing and orally.
  • Work independently, taking responsibility for time management and organization.
  • Demonstrate an open and independent mindset, appreciating the importance of equality, diversity and inclusivity.
  • Make effective use of feedback and employ strategies for improvement.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Dissertation 90%
Oral assessment/presentation 10%

Feedback methods

There will be formative assessment through (i) discussion of the student’s initial work in supervision meetings and (ii) written comments on a draft of the dissertation before its submission.This can be a full draft.

Summative assessment with feedback on the VLE. The content and timing of feedback will be consistent with University policy.

Recommended reading

The student will identify appropriate reading material in discussion with the supervisor

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 12
Independent study hours
Independent study 388

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
David Fielding Unit coordinator

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