Program Overview

International Development

International development concerns the global and country-level dynamics involved in achieving human and planetary wellbeing. Studying the subject can help you to critically assess how businesses, governments, NGOs, and social movements shape people's lives and livelihoods.

Course Overview

You'll engage with questions in political economy, decolonial knowledge, social justice, peace and conflict, and ecological sustainability to enhance your understanding of how and why institutions respond to global challenges. As a Bath student, you'll benefit from the work of our Centre for Development Studies. This will allow you to engage with contemporary research that informs international policy and practice.

Courses

• International Development with Economics BSc (Hons) – 4 years with professional placement
• International Development with Economics BSc (Hons) – 3 years

Related Subjects

• Economics
• Politics
• Sociology, social policy and social sciences

Rankings

The awards, accolades and league table rankings for this subject. Data for these courses is represented in some league tables under Economics due to league table subject groupings.

• Top 100 in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• Top 10 for Economics in the Complete University Guide 2026
• Top 10 for Career after 15 Months in Economics in The Guardian University Guide 2026

Testimonial

'The course has just the right amount of analytical depth and a host of amazing lecturers present in our department- an experience that will change your world view forever.' — Nabaa Zaynah BSc International Development with Economics (Graduating year, 2019)