What makes some nations rich and others poor? Are there some places on earth you just wouldn’t want to live? Is it just economics and leadership or are deeper factors at work? If you’d like to explore the answers to these questions, this course is for you.
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. Alongside this, with the Social Cohesion pathway you will delve into the pressing need to address social wellbeing.
Looking at the multiple challenges of economic hardship, unemployment, terrorism, and mass human migration, you will address the causes and consequences of social inequalities, and the ways in which they can be tackled.
In your first year you will explore global issues like capitalism, poverty, social injustice and social infrastructures as you start you to think critically about the influence of power in social inequality.
In your second year you will focus on social cohesion and social wellness and how it relates to the challenges associated with the migration of displaced peoples and the role cyberculture and cybersecurity. In your final year, you will study social conflict as you explore war, violence and human rights violations.
Throughout your course you will build your ability to work in teams as you build skills in project management, debates, 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.
At the end of the course, your knowledge of social issues and your problem solving capabilities will allow you to follow a career with a focus on making change for good.
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 Social Cohesion 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
Introduction to Global Challenges
Addressing Global Challenges
Addressing Global Challenges II
Understanding Social Cohesion Concepts and Structures
Systems of Society: Analysis and Exploration
Approaches to Media: Interpretation and Dissemination
Introduction to Social Cohesion
Year 2 Compulsory
GC2XXX Addressing Global Challenges
Addressing Contemporary Global Challenges
Analysing Movements & Technologies
Migrations Portfolio
Dialogue and Dissent: Reflections and Responses- Policy Briefing
Digital Innovation
Addressing Contemporary Global Challenges
Movements & Technologies
Year 3 Compulsory
Global Challenges in Practice
Challenges & Communities
Investigating Challenges & Communities: Book proposal, Evidence Based Policy Document
Arts and Sciences Dissertation in Global Challenges
