Hi, I’m Alice, and I’m in the third year of my BA Global Development degree. I’m currently on a study-abroad year at the University of Denver, but I wanted to share my experience on my course and the amazing experience I’ve had at the University of York so far.
Global Development is a course that examines the complexities of global problems, and explores how we can move to a more equitable and sustainable future. We learn through core modules, a range of optional modules, masterclasses, trips, as well as lots of placement and study-abroad options.
This course is rather small, with my cohort only being 20 people. This has allowed me to get to know everyone on my course and form plenty of friendships. A daunting part of starting university is knowing whether you’ll find and make friends, and this for me is part of what makes Global Development so great.
Global Development modules
When trying to decide what to study at university, one of my problems was trying to narrow it down to one subject or course. However, Global Development has allowed me the freedom to study a range of modules across an array of departments at York. In the first and second years, I had two core modules, and in my third year, I had one core module and a dissertation. But beyond that, there was freedom to choose what I studied.
I have taken a whole range of different modules that have allowed me to explore my interests in politics, geography and the environment. Some of my favourites are Politics of Gender, and Frontiers in Sustainability Research. However, I know friends who have taken completely different paths with history or economics modules. The number and range of modules on offer are constantly increasing as well.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is one of the unique features of the Global Development course at the University of York. Every week, we meet in groups of ten and receive a problem to dissect and discuss. As a group, we decide on areas to research over the week, and then we come back together on Fridays. In this session, we have another discussion and share the research we have completed. This helps us try to come up with a solution to the issue.
Although we do have a seminar tutor who sits in and sometimes guides the discussions, we also have a lot of freedom. Over the first two years of the course, I have explored a range of problems in these PBL sessions, from the cartels in Mexico, to the development of sustainable cities, such as Kigali in Rwanda.
I find one of the greatest things about PBL is that we all have different interests and take different modules, so we can bring lots of ideas and perspectives to the problems we’re given. It has allowed me to bring together all the different things I have learned, and truly understand the interdisciplinary nature of Global Development. Additionally, it has meant that I have gotten to know lots of my coursemates, and made lots of friends.
Global Development opportunities
My course has offered me endless opportunities beyond lectures and seminars. Once a term, I have masterclasses in which an expert or professional in global development comes and talks about their experience and work. This has opened my eyes to the many future career paths on offer, and how important sustainable development is for the future.
Lots of extracurricular activities and opportunities are also promoted. I completed the civil-service policy-development school in my first year, which showed me how the policy-development process works, and highlighted possible careers in the civil service.
I have also completed a summer school in Brazilian studies with the University of Minas Gerais. This gave me a unique insight into a developing country. Both of these opportunities have not only strengthened my CV, but given me hands-on experience outside of my degree.
The degree also offers a number of trips. One of the trips, to Saltaire, looked into how it was shaped by industrialization. I also went on a trip to Liverpool to learn about its history in the slave trade and industrialization. This allowed me to link my studies to my personal life, as well as realise the wider nature of the UK’s development. Additionally, it meant that I could get to know more people, not only in my year of the course but in the year below me as well.
In the second and third years of the course, I also have the opportunity to undertake a research trip to Ghana. A few of my coursemates are currently preparing to go on this trip this year, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to go myself next year.
That’s about it!
As I have previously mentioned, I am currently completing a study abroad year in the US. Thank you for reading this blog – I hope that it may encourage you to
consider studying Global Development and enjoy it as much as I have!
Read more stories from students studying Global Development.
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