Reader in Migration, Mobility and Development
Department of Development Studies
BA Global Development and...
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- Combined Honours - 3 years or 4 years when combined with a Language
- Start of programme
- September
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- Russell Square, College Buildings
- Fees
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Home student fees: £9,250
Overseas student fees: £21,160Please note that fees go up each year.
See undergraduate fees for further details. - Entry requirements
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A Levels: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB
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Austria: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 80% (8/10, 16/20) overall
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Belgium
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Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.5 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Canada: High School Diploma: 83% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).
British Colombia: AAABB in Grade 12 subjects.A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Canada
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China: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao: 80% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from China
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Croatia: Matura Certificate: 5 overall with 5 in 2 Higher level subjects
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Cyprus: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades AB
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Czech Republic: Matura Certificate: 1, 1, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Denmark: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen: 10 plus 10, 10, 7 in three Level A subjects
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Denmark
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Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus: 4.5 with 85%, 85%, and 80% in 3 state exams
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Finland: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen: four subjects at 6, 6, 6, 5
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
France: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB): 14/20
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from France
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Germany: Abitur: 1.6
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Germany
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Greece: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18.5/20
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Greece
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Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 554 in two electives and one core module (all other subjects grade 3)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Hong Kong
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Hungary: Matura (Erettségi): 5 overall
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Iceland: Stúdentspróf: 8
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
India: Standard XII: 80% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 85% (all other state boards)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from India
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Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H1, H2, H2, H3
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Israel: Bagrut: Overall grade of 8-10, 85% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Israel
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Italy: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato: 85% overall
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Italy
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Latvia: Certificate of General Secondary Education: 88% in four State subject exams
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas: 9/10 and 90%, 90%, 85% in three State Exams
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Lithuania
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Malta: Advanced Matriculation Certificate: AA (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs: Overall 7.5 with 8, 8, 8, 7 in four subjects
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Norway: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering: 4.7 overall
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Norway
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Poland: New Polish Matura: 80% in three Advanced Level subjects
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Poland
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Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario: overall 18/20
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat: 9 overall
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Romania
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Singapore: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic): GPA 3.5
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Singapore
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Slovakia: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
South Africa: National Senior Certificate: 77766
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from South Africa
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Spain: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato: 8
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABBInformation for prospective students from Spain
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Sweden: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan: A in 1500 credits and no grades below D / 18.5 / mainly A overall (MVG/VG)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate: 4.7
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: ACSE with AAB in 3 principle subjects
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Trinidad and Tobago: CAPE: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses = grade 2)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
Turkey: Lise Diplomasi: 80-85% (depending on high school)
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB -
USA: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:
- High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29 and 2 AP's at 5,4/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
or - High School Diploma GPA of 3.4 plus 2 AP's at 5,4 or 3 AP's at 5,4,4
or - High School Diploma GPA of 3.5 plus SAT 1340 or ACT 30
or - 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.2
A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB - High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29 and 2 AP's at 5,4/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
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See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.
Course overview
Have you got a passion for addressing the major issues and challenges facing today’s global community?
This stimulating programme examines key topics in international development, while analysing the roles and impact of a wide variety of regional and international actors. By the time you graduate, you will have cultivated a deep knowledge of the causes of and responses to poverty, marginalisation and vulnerability in developing countries and the process of dramatic social, economic and political change.
Additionally, the nature of the Combined Honours degree enables you to develop a specialist pathway for yourself by studying a second subject.
Why study Global Development Combined Honours at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked 2nd in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- You will have the opportunity to take work placements as part of your degree, and we offer internships in the department and in partner organisations.
- Get placed in a development organisation with our exclusive Professional Placement module - available to final year Development Studies students
- Our academic staff create an intellectually stimulating and challenging space across the many branches of international development and humanitarianism that make up Development Studies. All modules engage with questions of climate crisis, recognising its impact and interaction with processes of inequality and change.
- Our staff specialise in a range of thematic areas including sustainability and climate change, migration and displacement, conflict, humanitarian action, labour, political ecology, and aid and institutions.
- Combined with exceptional resources and our interdisciplinary approach, we offer a unique learning and research opportunity for our diverse and vibrant student community.
Degree combinations
May be combined with
- Arabic +, LT96 BA/GDA
- Chinese +, LT91 BA/GDCH
- East Asian Studies, TT25 EA/GD
- Economics, L170 BSc/DE
- History, LV91 BA/HGD
- History of Art, TV97
- International Relations, LL28 BA/IRGD
- Japanese +, TT22 BA/JGD
- Korean +, TL49 BA/KOGD
- Law, LM91 BA/LWGD
- Languages and Cultures +, T4L4 LCGDYrAb
- Linguistics, LQ93 BA/GDLG
- Music, LW93 BA/MSGD
- Politics, LL92 BA/POLGD
- Social Anthropology, LL96 BA/SAGD
- World Philosophies, L800 BA/GDWP
+ 4-year degree with (compulsory) 1-year abroad
++ 3 or 4-year degree with option of 1-year abroad
Key information set data
Structure
Students take 120 credits per year composed of Core, Compulsory and Optional modules.
- Core modules: A core module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken and passed before you move on to the next year of your programme.
- Compulsory modules: A compulsory module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken, and if necessary can be passed by re-taking it alongside the next year of your programme.
- Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Political Economy of Development | 30 |
Students also take 60 credits from second subject
Guided options
Students take 30 credits of Y2 guided options,
Students also take 60 credits from second subject.
Guided options
Students take 15 credits of Y3 guided options from the list below (availability may vary):
Open options
Students take open options to value of 15 credits at Level 6.
Students also take 60 credits from second subject.
Teaching and learning
Our teaching and learning approach is designed to support and encourage students in their own process of self-learning, and to develop their own ideas, responses and critique of international development practice and policy. We do this through a mixture of lectures, and more student-centred learning approaches (including tutorials and seminars). Teaching combines innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions, and guided reading as well as conventional lecturing. Assessment of most modules is through a combination of coursework and written examination.
The introductory and core modules provide the solid disciplinary grounding, whilst options allow students to develop deeper expertise in areas of their own interest. In their final year, students have the opportunity to complete either an Independent Study Project, an extended 10,000 word essay, supervised by one of the Department staff; or an assessed Professional Placement.
Contact hours
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. The format and length of teaching sessions varies by module. In the Department of Development Studies, most undergraduate modules have a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial every week. A few modules, which are jointly taught with PG students, have a 1-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial every week.
Year abroad
If Global Development is combined with a Language in a four-year degree programme, students spend a study year abroad in their third year.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Scholarships
| Title | Deadline date |
|---|---|
| The Rahim Lalji ‘14 Development Studies Bursary |
Fees and funding
Fees for 2023/24 entrants per academic year
| Programme | Full-time | |
|---|---|---|
| Home students | Overseas students | |
|
BA, BSc, LLB |
£9,250 |
£21,160 |
| BA/BSc Language year abroad | £1,385 | £10,580 |
Please note that fees go up each year.
For full details see undergraduate fees.
Employment
A degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world and how society is organised, with specific focus on violence and conflict, the role of aid, refugees and forced migration. Graduates leave with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, analytical skills and cultural awareness.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- Amnesty International
- BBC World Service
- British Embassy Brussels
- Department for International Development
- Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
- Embassy of Japan
- Government of Pakistan
- Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- KPMG LLP
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Overseas Development Institute
- Oxfam
- Royal Norwegian Embassy
- Save the Children UK
- The World Bank
- Thinking Beyond Borders
- US Department of State
- UN World Food Programme
- UN High Commissioner for Refugees
- WaterAid
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