BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad
About this course
BA in International Development and Politics with Year Abroad, an international development degree centred on global development challenges and political systems. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year degree includes a dedicated year spent studying abroad. The first year covers core foundations through Global Development Challenges I, Pathways to Political Research I, Introduction to International Development, and Understanding Politics. The second year explores specialised areas such as Comparative Politics, International Political Economy, International Relations Theory, and Global Governance. The final year involves independent research through a dissertation alongside advanced options like African Politics, Global Security, and International Negotiation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB. IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall. BTEC: BTEC options considered
What students say
Based on about 233 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 260 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 4%
What graduates do next
Based on about 61 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 69%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 4%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 14%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Sales occupations: 9%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 71%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 66%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 295 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 20%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 33%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 360 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Global Development Challenges I
- Global Development Challenges II
- Pathways to Political Research I
- Pathways to Political Research II
- Introduction to International Development
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Politics of Development
- Understanding Politics
- Understanding development assistance
- Working in Development
- Comparative Politics
- History of Political Ideas: power, revolution and the state
- Economics Perspectives on Development
- Governing States and Societies
- Africans in the Global Diaspora
- AI Essentials and Geopolitics
- Anthropology of the Middle East
- Global Governance
- Digital Democracy
- Feminist Political Ideas
- Globalisation, Capitalism and Welfare
- International Political Economy
- International Politics of East Asia
- International Relations Theory
- International Relations of the Middle East
- International Security
- Kinship, Gender and Sexuality
- Parties and Voters across the Globe
- Political Anthropology
- Political Ethics
- Politics of Sustainable Development
- Post-Colonial Britain: Race, Identity & Belonging
- Sexuality and Identity Politics
- The Anthropology of Sport and Recreation
- The International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
- The Politics of the European Union
- The Political Economy of Energy and Energy Security
- US Politics
- Year Abroad
- Dissertation
- African Politics
- Development: The Environmental Challenge
- Human Rights and Development
- Identity, Inequality and Inclusive Development
- American Foreign and Security Policy
- China: State and Society
- Conflict and Peace: Theory and Practice
- Contemporary International Political Economy
- Environment and climate politics: from global to local
- Global Capitalism and Migration
- Global Security
- Identity in Middle East International Politics
- International Negotiation
- Nuclear Crises
- Parliamentary Studies
- Political Theory and Social Criticism
- Politics of South Asia
- Social Justice and Politics
- Statelessness and Citizenship
- Strategy, Leadership and Foreign Policy
- The Diplomacy of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
- The Politics of Gender, Sex and Sexuality
- The Politics of Memory
- The Politics of Protest and Dissent
- Topics in British Politics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,500. The £36,000 median after five years is £5,500 more than the UK median for Development studies.
What do graduates of BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 134 UCAS points.
Does BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA International Development and Politics with Year Abroad at University of Birmingham?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.