International Development

Program Overview

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International Development BA

Key Information

Course type: Single honours Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Required A-level: AAA Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements Duration: Three years full-time, or four years with a year abroad Application status: Open Start date: September 2025 Application deadline: 29 January 2025 Optional study abroad

Course Description

During this International Development degree, you will study the development process in middle-income countries and the changing global economy. You will graduate with a deep understanding of how such middle-income countries, or “emerging economies”, are grappling with challenges related to economic, social, and political development.

Key Benefits

• Combine the study of local and country-level development with an understanding of the global economy.
• Challenge Eurocentric views of development and learn from a decolonised syllabus.
• Study a range of fields to help you decide what you’d like to pursue as a graduate.
• Show off your skills with a broad range of assessments that help you succeed no matter your study style.
• We rank 6th in the UK for Social Sciences (Times Higher Education University World Rankings 2024 per subject).

Course Essentials

• This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo campuses.
• The Department of International Development is part of King’s School of Global Affairs and located in Bush House North East Wing as part of the Strand campus.
• Most seminars and lectures will take place at the Strand Campus.

Base Campuses

• Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
• Waterloo Campus: Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties.

Special Features

• Optional study abroad: On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office.

Awarding Institutions

• King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating Bodies

• King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

Subject Requirements

• Required subjects: None
• Preferred subjects: At least one social science subject

A-Levels

• Required grades: AAA
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects.

Contextual A-Level Information

• ABB
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall or an aggregate score of 18 from three Higher Levels
• Notes: The total point score of 36 includes TOK/EE

Contextual International Baccalaureate Information

• 33 points overall or an aggregate score of 16 from three Higher Levels
• Note: The total point score of 33 includes TOK/EE

Alternative Accepted Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• BTEC Nationals/CTECs
• Cambridge Pre-U
• European Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

International Applicants

Equivalent International Qualifications

• Select a country to view equivalent international qualifications

English Language Requirements

• English language band: B
• Notes: Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test.

Selection Process

Contextual Consideration

• We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements.
• As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application.

Deferrals

• Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

Foundation Courses

• Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme.
• Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Graduates

• Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent.
• However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Personal Statement

• Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application.
• It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans.

Resits

• We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

• Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Independent Study

Assessment

• Coursework
• Assessed Essays
• Written Examinations
• Individual & Group Presentations

Structure

• Courses are divided into modules.
• You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits.
• Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

Required Modules

• Introduction to Development Studies (30 Credits)
• History of the Global Economy (30 credits)
• Economic Analysis of Emerging Economies (30 credits)
• Social & Political Analysis of Emerging Economies (30 credits)

Optional Modules

• Modern Language from King's Language Centre (15 credits)

Employability

• The emerging markets are the most dynamic economies and societies in the world today.
• Their economic growth rates may wax and wane and they face real challenges to continuing success.
• Nevertheless, their emergence is fundamentally changing the global political economy and they will continue to be dynamic and vital countries for the foreseeable future.

Knowledge

• This course provides high quality training for students seeking employment related to the emerging economies.
• Graduates of this International Development degree are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the UK’s development sector, other OECD countries, within the emerging economies, and in NGOs and international organisations.

Attributes

• Adaptability
• Comfort with complexity
• Think independently and critically

Skills

• Acquiring information via digital means
• Analysis & synthesis of information
• Articulating key messages
• Building methodologies
• Career planning
• Collaboration
• Cultural awareness
• Effective questioning
• Essay and report writing
• Monitoring & evaluation
• Presentation verbally
• Problem solving
• Project management & evaluation
• Qualitative analysis
• Quantitative analysis
• Relay research findings
• Research design
• Statistics

Destinations

• Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:
  • Consultant in International Development - Economic and Regional Development Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa
  • UK Government, telecoms policy development
  • Program Officer to the Executive President of Policy Center for the New South, an African think tank based in Morocco
  • Graduate Development Programme at Westminster City Council

Tuition Fees

Full Time Tuition Fees UK

• The UK tuition fee for the academic year is currently £9,535 per year.
• This is based on the UK Government's cap.

Full Time Tuition Fees International

• The International tuition fee for the academic year is £27,100 per year.
• Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Additional Costs

• In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions
  • Society membership fees
  • Library fees and fines
  • Personal photocopies
  • Printing course handouts
  • Stationery
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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International Development BA at King's College London

This program focuses on the development process in middle-income countries and the evolving global economy. It equips graduates with a deep understanding of how emerging economies grapple with economic, social, and political development challenges.

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Objectives:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of development studies, the history of the global economy, and the economic, social, and political analysis of emerging economies.
• Develop advanced knowledge of development theory and research methods.
• Offer the flexibility to choose from a wide range of modules and craft a personalized syllabus.
• Impart interdisciplinary knowledge, drawing on economics, politics, sociology, social anthropology, and management.
• Equip graduates with skills to succeed in diverse careers related to international development.

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Program Description:

• The first year delves into development studies, global economic history, and the economic, social, and political analysis of emerging economies.
• The second year deepens theoretical knowledge and introduces quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Students can choose from a wide range of modules in the third year, specializing in topics or regions of interest.
• Optional study abroad available in countries like Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and the US.

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Key Benefits:

• Combines local development studies with a global economic perspective.
• Challenges Eurocentric views of development and offers a decolonized syllabus.
• Offers a broad range of fields, allowing students to explore diverse interests.
• Utilizes varied assessment methods to cater to different learning styles.
The ability to complete a year abroad was also a key element for me, with a wide range of choices due to King's many partner universities around the world."
• Mwezi, International Development BA student

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Introduction to Development Studies (30 credits)
• History of the Global Economy (30 credits)
• Economic Analysis of Emerging Economies (30 credits)
• Social & Political Analysis of Emerging Economies (30 credits)

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Year 2:

• Development Theory and Practice (30 credits)
• Research Methods for Development Studies (30 credits)
• Optional modules (60 credits)

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Year 3:

• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Optional modules (60 credits)

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Optional Modules:

Students can choose from a wide range of modules covering diverse topics like:

• The Political Economy of Development in Latin America
• Development Issues in South Asia
• Microeconomics
• Climate Change
• Social Justice
• Comparative Public Policy
• Sustainability in Emerging Economies

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Assessment:

• Coursework
• Assessed Essays
• Written Examinations
• Individual & Group Presentations

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Assessment Methods:

• The specific methods of assessment vary depending on the chosen modules.
• Coursework typically contributes 75% of the final mark, while examinations contribute about 25%.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Independent Study
• Faculty:
• Experienced academics with expertise in development studies.
• Unique Approaches:
• Emphasis on independent learning and critical thinking.
• Focus on developing research and communication skills.
• Utilization of innovative technology to enhance learning experience.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

• Consultant in International Development
• Policy Advisor
• Project Manager
• Researcher
• Non-profit organization worker
• Government official
• Development economist

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Career Opportunities:

• Graduates can work in various sectors, including:
• Development sector
• Public policy
• Private sector
• Non-profit organizations
• International organizations

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Career Outcomes:

• Graduates from this program have secured roles in organizations like:
• UK Government
• Policy Centre for the New South
• Westminster City Council
• Investment banks
• Public relations firms

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Other:

• The program is offered on a full-time basis, with an optional year abroad.
• Students have access to various support services, such as academic advisors and career guidance.

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Full time tuition fees UK: The UK tuition fee for the 2024-25 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap. Full time tuition fees International The International tuition fee for the 2024-2025 academic year is £25,284 per year. Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions. All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling.