Are you curious about how to deal with ecological and environmental challenges that affect nations across the world? Our new Global Challenges undergraduate degrees have been designed with disrupters in mind – people who aren’t afraid to ask questions and to pull in knowledge from across disciplines to get to the root of the planetary problems we face.
Within the core spine of your Global Challenges degree, you will take an in-depth look at issues such as climate change, sustainable development, migration, terrorism, inequality and poverty and how they affect the world we live in, the Planetary Health pathway will also introduce you to the impact human activity has on the earth systems and in turn affects our health.
You will explore questions about the environmental challenges current and future populations face as you learn to analyse and manage issues alongside the Brunel experts teaching this course.
Planetary health is a global concern. The impact of human activity must be addressed and managed so that we do not continue to damage our ecology and ultimately ourselves. As part of the Planetary Health Alliance, Brunel University London works alongside 70 dedicated universities, NGOs, government entities and research institutes who are committed to making advances in this area. This means that the knowledge you gain during your studies will come directly from the most up-to-date sources.
As part of your course you will look at the connections between changes in the environment and health outcomes. For example, how the environment has caused certain wildlife species to become extinct, or how the use of pesticides in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables may have physical or mental health risks.
You will also explore some of the technologies and political and economic strategies employed in healing the planet, such as the reduction of greenhouse gasses by avoiding the use of damaging household products, to saving energy around the home.
Throughout your course you will build your ability to work in teams as you pick up skills in project management, presenting and team pitches. A third year Enterprise Project will help to bring all these skills together as you work on a group project with a real organisation.
You have the option to apply for an internship at the end of your first year and can take a one-year placement between years two and three, giving you valuable work experience and a step ahead for your career when you graduate.
As a graduate of the new Global Challenges course you will be inquisitive and analytical with a large amount of knowledge that could change the world, as you’ll have learnt how to assess contrasting sets of data and different arguments to form your own ideas and opinions.
Enrollment Cycles
September 2024
Entry Requirements
UK entry requirements
GCE A-level BBC.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DMM in any subject.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject with an A-Level at grade C.
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma M in any subject with A-Levels grade BB.
International Baccalaureate Diploma 29 points.
Obtain a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
TOEFL: 92 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
Your Global Challenges course is structured around a core spine of compulsory modules where you will tap into the expertise of several departments from across the university.
In addition, you will study a set of modules which are focused on your Planetary Health pathway to build your specialist knowledge.
Core elements of the your degree have been developed to work in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As the lead United Nations agency in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing our world, this partnership ensures that what you’ll learn is timely, relevant and responsive.
In practice this includes working on real life case studies that bring the skills and experience of industry experts and academics to the student learning experience, to respond to live briefs aimed at supporting the UNDP’s international development priorities.
This connection not only ensures your project work will be specific and focused, but also develop your problem solving and project delivery skills in ways that, beyond supporting your future career, have the potential to bring real world impact through our partners.
Please see programme specification for the specific optional module combination choices that are available
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.
Year 1 Compulsory
Addressing Global Challenges
Addressing Global Challenges II
Introduction to Global Challenges
Foundations of Planetary Health in Practice: Introduction to Planetary Health
Foundations of Planetary Health in Practice: Natural Systems and Processes
Foundations of Planetary Health: Global Public Health and Social Justice
Foundations of Planetary Health
Year 2 Compulsory
Addressing Global Challenges
Environmental Change
Ecosystem Transformations and Health Impacts
Addressing Contemporary Global Challenges
Year 3 Compulsory
Global Challenges in Practice
Intervention Proposal: Healing the Planet in Practice
Evidence Based Policy Document: Healing the Planet in Practice
Healing the Planet
Arts and Sciences Dissertation in Global Challenge
