Global Development and Environment

Entry requirements

A strong upper second-class honours degree (65% or higher) or international equivalent in social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences or professional degrees (medicine, architecture, planning or engineering). Candidates with a strong background in humanities plus relevant work experience will also be considered. Applicants with a lower class of degree or a degree in a non-standard subject with relevant work experience of 6 months will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Months of entry

September

Course content

More of the world's extreme poor now live in middle-income than in low-income countries, and processes such as climate change, transnational migration and globalisation demand a global consideration of the state of the planet. Development is now seen as a global process and activity, rather than something reserved for a subset of countries such as the 'Third World' or 'Global South'. Contemporary global challenges demand the linking of environmental issues to conventional foci of development (like health, urbanisation, poverty, food security and migration). They also demand an understanding of how the world's resources (water, energy, land, minerals, demography, etc.) are allocated and managed, and how contestations over these distributions play out.

This programme is aimed at talented graduates seeking to develop or enhance their expertise in the fields of development and environment. You will develop the capacity to critically analyse the large-scale drivers of environmental consumption and stewardship, and how these interlink with and produce developmental outcomes.

You will gain a perspective that is at once global and interdisciplinary while also paying attention to locality (place) and people's agency in forging a just and sustainable future.

The School of Geographical Sciences is ranked #1 in the UK for 'Geography and environmental studies' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) and has an outstanding reputation for teaching and learning. It builds upon Bristol's existing research strengths in these fields, with links to the University's Cabot Institute, Perivoli Africa Research Centre, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, Jean Golding Institute, and Bristol Poverty Institute.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

Students from developing Commonwealth countries may be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme, University of Bristol Think Big Postgraduate Scholarship, and the School of Geographical Sciences Phyllis Mary Morris Bursaries.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.