BSc (Hons) International Development

On this course, students engage with major global issues from a development perspective. These issues include poverty, hunger and inequality, sustainability, international food policy, human rights, peace and conflict, gender studies and climate change.

The course will give you the foundations necessary to work in the field of international development, whether with a non-governmental organisation, a state agency, an international organisation or within the private sector, or to advance to further study.  A distinctive feature of this course is the five-month work placement with a development agency, usually based in a developing country in Asia, Africa or Latin America. This allows students to gain hands-on experience of working in international development, to develop their practical skills and experience other cultures and societies.

The course provides a broad training in key socio-economic areas related to international development and food policy, as well as a set of generic transferable skills, such as programme management, research and report writing that will be valued by employers in many fields, particularly those operating in an international context.

Key facts

• In-depth focus on international development and food policy issues over four years
• Course input from development practitioners
• Mix of theoretical and practical skills
• Multi-disciplinary staff with a wealth of international experience
• International work experience with a recognised development organisation

Placement or Study Abroad Information

A central feature of the course is the work placement, which takes place over five months in third year. Students are placed with well-established development organisations throughout the developing world and in Ireland to gain first-hand experience of development work. Students on placement are supported by a Placement Officer and allocated a Mentor from the Department of Food Business and Development.

A typical work experience includes opportunities to meet with communities in urban and rural areas, contribute to new development projects, run a social media campaign, conduct field reserach, draft policy document and funding proposals, and generally contribute to the daily operations of the host organisation.

Countries to which students travel include Ethiopia, India, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Cambodia, Thailand and Bolivia. As well as the practical experience of development on the ground and the technical skills acquired on placement, you will achieve valuable personal development in terms of self-reliance, self-confidence, communications,  and working in teams.

“Africa Direct have found the students to be very helpful in getting a good insight into how our partners are performing. The standard of students has been very high and they have produced insightful reports as well as working productively for partners.” – John Slattery, Africa Direct.