
Book your Open Day
Discover more about your chosen subject whilst exploring our green campus.
Tackle poverty, conflict, and climate change through the lens of politics and power. Our course blends theory, real-world case studies, and global experiences, equipping you with the knowledge and ideas to drive meaningful change in international development.
Elevate your career with a degree providing you with skills sought after by global employers. Through hands-on projects, professional placements, and tailored careers support, you’ll graduate ready to drive change in international development. This will lead you to a rewarding career where you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference, influence global policy, and build a fairer, more sustainable world.
Discover more about your chosen subject whilst exploring our green campus.
in the UK for the impact of our research in Development Studies
REF 2021
in the UK for being most frequently targeted by the country’s top employers
High Fliers Research 2024
Apply your learning to real-world contexts with hands-on experience in development and global challenges.
Our BA in International Relations and Development stands out through its blend of global theory, practical experience, and flexibility. You'll gain hands-on skills with tools used in real-world development projects, engage with innovative research, and tailor their studies with a range of optional modules. The dissertation offers you an opportunity for deep, personal exploration, while a strong global network and links to development and policy institutions enhance career prospects. You'll graduate ready to make a meaningful impact in global development, governance, and more.
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field and are committed to introduce you to what intrigues them from across the world of biosciences. Your learning experience is designed to suit the learning outcomes of the course and your future career.
Teaching will utilise a range of learning methods including:
Each module is assessed independently, and all modules contain some components of continuous assessment (that means assessment taking place during the teaching terms). Some modules are assessed entirely through coursework, without an end-of-year examination. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that module. You'll receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done, including written feedback on your assessments, class feedback, and questions sessions and discussions with your tutor. When exams are included in a module, you’ll have access to marking criteria, and mock exam and marking sessions allow you to get a sense of what to aim for.
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
Throughout your International Development and Politics degree you can expect an average of circa 15 contact hours per week. This will include lectures, seminars and tutorials. The proportion of time spent in each will vary depending on which year you are in and the optional modules you choose.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Global Development Challenges I | 10 | Semester 1 |
Global Development Challenges II | 10 | Semester 2 |
Pathways to Political Research I | 10 | Semester 1 |
Pathways to Political Research II | 10 | Semester 2 |
Introduction to International Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
Introduction to Political Theory | 20 | Semester 2 |
Politics of Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
Understanding Politics | 20 | Semester 1 |
Associate Professor, Environment and Development
Dr Brock Bersaglio, International Development Department (IDD), School of Government and Society, University of Birmingham.
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
AAB
6,6,5 At Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall
BTEC options considered
Number of A levels required: 3
General Studies: not accepted
T Levels: all subjects considered. Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBB
ABB
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Our International Development and Politics BA prepares you for diverse career paths in international organisations, NGOs, government, consultancy, and policy advising. With a blend of practical experience, professional development, and cutting-edge research, you’ll graduate ready to take on roles that shape global change and drive impact across various sectors.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.