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You will study in an international environment where you'll be taught by diverse staff alongside students from across the globe.

Our International Development programme is a cross-University degree, capturing a wealth of multi-disciplinary expertise in geography, consumer studies, economics, politics and international relations, planning, business, agriculture, and food and nutritional sciences.

Flexibility and choice

You will have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions through a series of optional modules.

Strong links with the global development community

We have strong links to non-governmental organisations, development agencies and charities to ensure you acquire experience across the global development community.

These links expose our students to a range of development issues and provide an immersive experience that combines a tailored lecture programme with the opportunity to interact directly with development organisations and local people.

Modern learning facilities

Our modern building features lecture theatres with modern equipment and student PC rooms with printing facilities. In addition, you will have access to our undergraduate common room with study and social space and a cafe.

You will have 24-hour access to PC facilities and wireless internet use. Email, file storage and library access are provided to all students and many resources are available from anywhere, including via mobile devices, allowing you to study when and where it suits you. Interactive online tools, including our virtual learning environment, provide you with study resources and learning materials.

Play an important role in the future

Study of international development has never been more important. Complex global problems affect our lives and many parts of the world are experiencing rapid social, economic and environmental change.

As an International Development graduate, you will have the opportunity to follow a career path and carry out work that is truly valued in today's society. You will also be in demand: skills in this sector are highly sought after.

Join our alumni community

In your second year, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for our Thrive career mentoring scheme, where you will be partnered with an alumnus. Our mentors are all successful professionals who create an environment where you can discuss your aspirations and test your ideas about graduate life.

Once you graduate, you have the opportunity to become part of our alumni community – a worldwide network of more than 107,000 people.

Being an alumnus of Reading gives you some great benefits, such as:

  • alumni discounts for further study
  • one-to-one careers advice for a year and ongoing networking opportunities
  • subscription to our annual Connected magazine and regular e-newsletters
  • access to an online global community
  • events and reunions
  • Library, sports and accommodation discounts.

Our courses

With our BSc International Development course, you'll explore critical contemporary issues: how to create a better life for people, the sustainability of the planet's resources, poverty reduction and food systems, and the challenges of inequality.

How you'll study

While your studies are theory-based, you'll be encouraged to undertake volunteering, overseas and placement opportunities as part of your degree. You can also attend sessions with guest lecturers from the global development community, and Department seminars given by our research active academics.

Life in the Department

Join a thriving community of students and staff from over 80 countries in our School of Agriculture, Policy and Development. Interact with students from a range of degrees in teaching sessions and our common room.