International Development

School of Social Sciences Undergraduate Studies

International Development

Dean’s Welcome

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Introduction

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Why study International Development at the University of East London?

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Our Undergraduate Courses

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Careers

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How to Apply

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Enquiries

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Dean’s Welcome

Welcome to the University of East London’s School of Social Sciences.

A degree in social sciences has never been more relevant than today and we believe there is no better place to study than at UEL. Located in the heart of multicultural east London – a site of huge cultural and economic transformation – we are well placed to lead the discussion on many of today’s most exciting and urgent topics.

Our international development courses are rigorous and rewarding, and are highly regarded by employers whether small non-profits, charities, policy institutes or community campaigns. Our graduates leave with the analytical, research, writing, data interpretation, persuasive speaking and organisational skills that make them standout in today’s competitive job market.

Our academic staff know and care about students as individuals, and are committed to providing a rich and experimental learning experience. They are active researchers in their professional areas and bring this knowledge and cutting-edge research in to the classroom. Student success and satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do, and this is reflected in the consistently high rankings we receive for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS).

‘Doing’ is central to the learning process at UEL. Our students gain real world experience through working on projects with community activists, overseas study semesters, NGO work placements, field trips and other learning activities beyond the classroom. They work with organisations such as Childreach International and Capoeira4Refugees.

Our students bring a vast and diverse set of experiences to the classroom, and a desire to achieve great things. We feel privileged to be helping to develop strong, creative, energetic members of society who can make a real difference to the world.

Professor Allaine Cerwonka Dean, School of Social Sciences 2

School of Social Sciences

Capoeira4Refugees project Azraq Camp, Jordan Image provided by Childreach International

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Childreach International project Haryana, India 4

School of Social Sciences

International Development

What is poverty? Can it be measured? What impact does globalisation have on all of our lives? Why are women disproportionately among the most vulnerable in developing countries? How do faith, health, colonialism or conflict relate to development? How do non-profits and charities contribute to social change?”

International development draws on economics, politics, sociology, cultural studies and history to produce a holistic picture of the issues faced by the global South. It addresses questions of poverty, inequalities (based on gender, ethnicity and power), conflict, migration and globalisation.

Increasingly it focuses on the interconnections between the global South and North in responding to these challenges, especially the alleviation of poverty and response to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Our courses examine the relationship between the theory and practice of international development and equip students to work in applied contexts. Our students have gone on to work in the kind of roles that give ultimate job-satisfaction – working for positive change

in the world – setting up their own NGOs to work in Peru, India, Tanzania, the Congo; working on the logistics of delivering humanitarian aid; doing policy work for the UK’s Department for International Development or World Health Organisation, and fundraising for charitable foundations.

“ This course helped me fall back in love with life and learning.”

Paul Olowogboye International Development BA (Hons)

uel.ac.uk/ug-international-development

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Why study International Development at the University of East London?

Student satisfaction A resounding 100 per cent of International Development with NGO Management students said they were satisfied with the course, and all agreed that it is ‘intellectually stimulating’ (National Student Survey 2015).

Highly rated research Our academic staff are active researchers and are world-renowned within their field, which is truly global in its geographical reach and impact.

Careers and employability 80% of our students go on to work and/or study within six months of graduating, 45% of which are in a professional or managerial role.

Placements No other university in the country offers you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in a developing country as a core part of your international development course. Students have undertaken placements for internationally renowned organisations including Save the Children UK, Islamic Relief, United Nations, Oxfam, Timor Aid, and Volunteer Uganda. They have travelled as far afield as Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Peru and India, enhancing their CV and future career opportunities.

Projects Our students have many opportunities to extend their experience beyond the classroom around the world and closer to home. Supported by the UEL Going Global Bursary scheme two students worked in Peru with NGO Otra Cosa.

Others were funded by UEL’s Civic Engagement fund on their work placements with NGOs in London, India and Tanzania. Another fantastic experience is the British Council-funded Active Citizens programme in which our students have worked alongside community activists on their own community change projects in London.

Resources Our students benefit from a large network of established professional relationships across NGOs and other organisations. Regular guest lectures from former students and industry experts mean our students are kept up to date on industry trends, get an insight in to life after university.

Our annual international development student conference gives our students the chance to gain valuable skills in event management and also a platform to discuss and debate key issues and to present their research findings.

UEL has an established international network of universities allowing our students the opportunity to study overseas.

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School of Social Sciences

Image provided by Childreach International 7

International Development BA (Hons)

Our courses are designed to provide you with an in depth understanding of international development and global poverty alleviation.

All the way through your studies you will have many opportunities to shape your own interests and future as you network at guest lectures, be part of the annual student conference or the summer school, and attend careers workshops.

Admissions and entry requirements

In your first year you will be introduced to a range of issues and processes that shape the global South or developing world. You will begin to build your skills in team work, presentations and academic writing.

From BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) or Diploma (QCF)

In your second and third years you will explore theories and practices of development in more depth, considering, for example, how inequalities shape the lives of poor people.

You will develop your CV and get experience applying for jobs. You will have incredible opportunities to develop your own specialisms, with opportunities to study abroad, present a paper at our student conference or learn how to write a briefing paper.

UCAS code L920 280 UCAS points From A Level Must include passes at A2 in at least two subjects.

From International Baccalaureate Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level.

We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and maths.

We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have relevant life or work experience that equips them to succeed on the course but who may not have the formal qualifications listed above.

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This course equips you with the same opportunities and theoretical grounding as the International Development degree course.

In addition, you will learn some of the more applied skills required to work in the NGO or charity sector.

You will develop your own ideas and plans for a future development project and learn how to present and fundraise for it. You will explore the power of social media and digital technologies in NGO fundraising and communications. Many students have gone on to turn their plans into reality – for example, setting up an NGO to work with street children in Kinshasa.

Your final year work placement with an NGO will equip you with the experience you need to begin your career in NGOs as an informed and critical practitioner.

School of Social Sciences

International Development with NGO Management BA (Hons)

Admissions and entry requirements UCAS code L9L4 280 UCAS points From A Level Must include passes at A2 in at least two subjects.

From BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) or Diploma (QCF) From International Baccalaureate Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level.

We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and maths.

We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have relevant life or work experience that equips them to succeed on the course but who may not have the formal qualifications listed above.

uel.ac.uk/ug-international-development

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Modules

Faith, Humanitarianism and Development (optional)

Year one Introduction to Development Studies (core)

HIV in the World (optional)

Introduction to the Political Economy of Development (core)

Overseas Placement (optional)

International Studies (core) Introduction to Social Anthropology (core) OR Introduction to NGO Management (core)* Year two Theories of Development and Globalisation (core) Inequalities, Social Development and Livelihoods (core) Planning and Fundraising in the Third Sector (core OR optional depending on course) Human Mobility, Forced Migration and Social Change (optional) International Organisation and Global Governance (optional)

Conflict, Intervention and Development (optional) The Politics of Global Powers (optional) Topics in Regional Ethnography (optional) Anthropology of Political Economy and Belief (optional)

Foundation Year If you don’t meet the entry requirements for either of the BA courses, you have the option of taking an ‘extended’ version. You’ll begin with a foundation year which will prepare you for the BA, giving you the academic and personal skills you need for successful degree-level study.

Anthropological Theory (optional)

Further study Year three Research Methods and Dissertation (core) NGO Placement (core)* Imperialism Now: Economy, State and War (optional) Global Crises (optional) Islam and Society (optional)

If you want to continue with your academic career, we offer a wide range of postgraduate courses at UEL, including: MSc NGO & Development Management MSc International Relations MA Refugee Studies

*Modules only available on BA (Hons) International Development with NGO Management 10

School of Social Sciences

“ I decided to take a course in international development and NGO management. It was a course that resonated with what my family had been doing for many years, and the course at UEL really attracted me.

I came to UEL as a mature student and being a father was ‘difficult’. It was a tough process reintegrating into education – but I had great support at the university, some amazing faculty staff and a network which helped me to excel during the three years.”

fter graduating, Firoz set up the student A led charity Global Development Links with just three interns, now known as Childreach International. The charity has grown and grown, and now excels in the third sector, having won many national awards along the way. Today Firoz and his team work around three themes: education, healthcare and child protection - working with local communities across the globe. “ I suppose the thing that makes us different from other NGOs is that all the projects and programmes we work on are led and designed by local people. We take the lead from them.”

Childreach International have been able to significantly help to empower children and communities across the globe, showing that despite humble beginnings at UEL, the impact of the charity is now being felt across the world.

Firoz Patel CEO Childreach International A former London Underground train driver, Firoz Patel worked in the private and public sectors for a number of years before studying at UEL.

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“ We are proud of the journeys of personal development on which travel whilst studying here at UE passionately that the skills and e bring with them to the course en environment. Our job is to challe develop their potential, ensuring development specialists and pra are critical and informed.”

Dr Susannah Pickering-Saqqa Programme Leader

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School of Social Sciences

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“ Studying international development seemed like a great way to gain the skills and knowledge to be able to do this. The International Development and NGO Management at UEL course was recommended to me by a friend who knew about my lifelong goal to work for the United Nations.

UEL was the perfect choice for me. The assistance and support of the academic staff was constant throughout my student life.

I have nothing but appreciation for all my lecturers for all the attention, guidance, advice and unfaltering support they have given to me throughout my studies.

As well as the lectures and seminars delivered by UEL’s expert academics, we had inspirational talks from guest speakers including former students such as Firoz Patel who after graduating has gone on to set up his own charity and gave us all invaluable advice and insight into life after graduating.

School of Social Sciences

Having grown up in a developing country, Zeyna always knew that she wanted to do something to improve the quality of other people’s lives and dreamt of working for the UN.

The key part of the International Development with NGO Management course is the compulsory placement module. I did a four month internship at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Senegal during my second year. This allowed me to gain practical experience within an international development agency and I developed transferrable skills such as planning, organisation, interpersonal and translation. The experience of working within an international development work setting has broadened my prospects for my future and I really feel I will be more attractive for potential employers.”

Zeyna Fall International Development with NGO Management BA (Hons) Graduate

uel.ac.uk/ug-international-development

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Careers

How to apply

Our international development courses are wonderfully varied and offer a wide range of career progression routes following graduation.

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses starting in September are made Via the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS). UCAS offers a secure, webbased application system which allows you to track your application. To register for UCAS, please go to www.ucas.com and follow the step-by-step guide. You will need the University of East London institution code which is E28.

All our courses will help you to develop a wide range of transferable skills and open up many career options. Employers across all sectors are keen to recruit our international development graduates because they have the problem-solving, critical and practical skills that development and humanitarian agencies, charities and non-profits need. Opportunities to study and undertake work placements overseas are also highly valued by employers as evidence of self motivation and resilience.

For further information, contact our Applicant Enquiries team: Tel +44 (0)20 8223 3333 Email: study@uel.ac.uk

Our courses will equip you with the skills you need to help to shape the future. With many exciting employment opportunities which naturally lead to progression into the kinds of careers that make a very real difference to society.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles: Programmes Support Officer, MSF Consultant, World Health Organisation Policy Analyst, DFID Director, Children of Congo Foundation Trading and Corporate Engagement Project Assistant, Oxfam Research Assistant, Fair Money Advice Project Coordinator, St Mungo’s Founder and CEO, Childreach International Programme Officer, Law and Development Partnership Youth volunteer coordinator, VSO Logistics Officer, Medicos del Mundo

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