Global Development

Global development is the study of poverty, inequality, conflict, sustainability and social justice at the international scale, examining why some parts of the world are wealthier and more secure than others and what can be done about it. The discipline draws on economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, human geography and environmental science, combining theoretical analysis with engagement with the real conditions of life in the Global South and in marginalised communities everywhere. It takes seriously both the structural forces that produce inequality and the agency of individuals and communities to challenge and change those forces.

At the University of East Anglia, this three-year full-time programme equips you with the knowledge and skills to understand and address global challenges including inequality, conflict, sustainability and social justice. You will engage with the economics of development, theories of social change, environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing, gender and development, conflict and peacebuilding, migration and the global governance frameworks within which development work takes place. UEA's strong research reputation in development studies, environmental science and social science, and its international collaborations, give you access to genuine expertise and a globally connected academic community.

Graduates of global development programmes go on to careers in international non-governmental organisations, development agencies, the United Nations and its agencies, bilateral and multilateral aid organisations, government international development departments, think tanks, research institutions, journalism, the civil service and social enterprise. The combination of analytical rigour, contextual knowledge and commitment to social change that the degree develops is valued across the full range of organisations working on the most significant challenges of the century. Further study at master's level in development studies, international relations, human rights or environmental management is a common next step for those who want to deepen their expertise or pursue research careers.