COURSE CURRICULUM

The Global Development degree program at UEA provides students with a thorough grounding in both development theories and economic dimensions of global development challenges. In the first year, students engage with core modules that lay the foundation for understanding global development from a variety of perspectives. The Perspectives on Global Development module introduces critical concepts such as human development, neo-liberalism, and de-colonisation, encouraging students to analyze these theories and their relevance in explaining global inequalities. The Shared Futures module explores how different global actors—states, civil society, and the private sector—interact and influence development outcomes, particularly concerning poverty and environmental issues. Students also critically analyze major global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and food security in Big Questions for People and Planet. The Introduction to Economics of Development module equips students with essential economic theories and empirical evidence, providing a solid understanding of topics such as poverty, inequality, and economic growth within the context of development.In the second year, students build on this knowledge by diving deeper into microeconomics and macroeconomics, gaining an understanding of how economic principles apply to development challenges. Quantitative Evidence in Development equips students with statistical and research methods to critically assess data and apply it to development issues. The Economics for Development 2: Microeconomics and Economics for Development 3: Macroeconomics modules cover important topics such as market structures, economic growth, fiscal and monetary policies, and the role of gender and institutions in development.In the third year, students broaden their understanding by studying abroad at one of UEA’s partner universities, gaining a global perspective on development. Finally, in the fourth year, students deepen their expertise in development economics by choosing specialized modules such as Globalisation and Economic Development, which critically examines the causes and consequences of globalisation, including its impact on trade, finance, and poverty. Students also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation, allowing them to engage in independent research on a topic of personal interest within the field of global development.