Global Development

Overview

You will learn about the experiences and viewpoints of people and nations of the Global South regarding development issues, as well as the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.

There are opportunities to review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made towards key international development goals.

This Global Development programme at University of Leeds will enable you to gain advanced insights into debates and controversies at the centre of contemporary development challenges and analyse both the theories and realities of development, to understand the different approaches, practices and discourses involved.

Career opportunities

You’ll gain a wide range of professional skills on top of your subject knowledge. You’ll have an understanding of project design and management in a development context, as well as being able to analyse quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll be able to construct clear arguments, critically assess different options for action, analyse policy documents, write research reports and give presentations. You’ll also be trained to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.

Our programme equips you for various career paths. Compatible careers include working in international development agencies, international organisations, governments, politics, NGOs, research organisations, policy making, companies, media, and academia.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in various organisations such as Greenpeace; Wateraid; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Italian Embassy and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.

Throughout your time with us we will encourage you to seek practical work experience in the international development field, and we will advise you on how to go about it.