Program Overview

What will the world look like by 2025? How can we make the world economy more resilient? What role do NGOs play in the developing world? How can conflict be prevented? Explore the economic, social, and political processes of change in the developing world.

Based in the UK’s top politics department for research excellence (REF 2014), International Development at Essex doesn’t just look at what but it questions why. We train our students to be fearless and independent, to question everything and to draw on the broadest possible range of facts and ideas; encouraging you to develop your critical analysis skills and research abilities. You examine everything from poverty and inequality to authoritarian regimes and causes of conflict. This interdisciplinary approach allows you develop a wide understanding of the key issues facing the world today.

This course explores a wide range of topics including:

• The role of NGOs and Foreign aid in developing countries
• The dynamics of conflict
• The world economy from 16th century to present
• The effects of international financial institutions
• Politics in the Middle East

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university