Global Development, Politics and Sociology
Global Development, Politics and Sociology
Where you join the debate
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Where you join the debate
About us
Do you want to understand the world around you? Do you wonder why we are in the middle of multiple crises – climate change, corona virus, economic and social inequalities, conflicts? Our courses help you understand the driving forces behind these issues. You will also discover your own personal response to them.
We offer four distinctive BA Honours courses: International Development with NGO Management; Politics and International Relations; Sociology, and Sociology with Criminology. Each of these can be taken with a Foundation Year if you don’t quite have the qualifications or grades for direct entry.
All our courses provides graduates with the research skills and expertise needed to respond to a wide range of employment opportunities in diverse sectors – from helping local and national governments seeking to understand the impact of policy decisions and NGOs looking to inform the public about neglected aspects of society to corporations trying to market their products effectively.
Undergraduate courses
Sustainable Development and Social Change
Research and analyse complex problems, such as globalisation and climate change, develop your own ideas, find a career in International Development.
Learn about the course
BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations
Our innovative politics course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to play an active role in the world of global politics.
Read more about this coursePostgraduate courses
MA Conflict, Displacement and Human Security
We will help you develop skills and understanding to prepare for employment in conflict management and resolution, humanitarian assistance and development, human rights, and social justice.
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MSc International Relations
Understand global politics, state and inter-state relations. Delve into international relations, global inequalities, power and environmental risks.
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MSc NGO and Development Management
This course examines the central issues facing developing countries in today's globalised world, equipping you for a job in development and the wider sectors.
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MA Refugee Studies
Understand global refugee movements, the processes behind the search for protection and asylum and the global responses to forced displacement.
Read more.Why choose us?
We creatively merge robust scholarly inquiry with practical hands-on learning designed to prepare students for practice in the real world. UEL is the first university to offer an undergraduate course in International Development with NGO Management. This course has been running for ten years, allowing us to build an exceptional wealth of experience and industry contacts.
UEL is the only university that offers an undergraduate course in International Development with NGO Management. It's been running for ten years and the wealth of experience and contacts we've built up is exceptional.
90% overall satisfaction ratings for the Politics courses by our students, which ranks us at 4th place in London (National Student Survey 2018).
Our students have secured jobs at sector-leading organisations such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, The British Red Cross, The Refugee Council and the World Health Organisation after graduating.
Our facilities
Our libraries and learning services are at the very heart of the University. We have a superb range of resources and facilities to help you with your studies and we're committed to offering you a first-class student experience.
Our libraries
Our Stratford library, opened at a cost of £14 million, is a state-of-the-art building which provides an inspirational environment for study and research. Overlooking the Royal Docks, our modern Docklands library is another fantastic space for learning, offering a wide range of resources as well as group and silent study facilities. It's also home to the UEL Skillzone, where you can get extra help with your academic writing.
Open 24/7
Both our libraries are open 24/7 during term time, giving you maximum flexibility about when you choose to study. As well as visiting our libraries in person, you can also take advantage of our growing collection of electronic resources, including e-books, e-journals and databases.
Student Support hubs
To ensure our students get the best possible support, we've opened brand-new Student Support hubs at our Docklands and Stratford campuses - at a cost of £3.1 million. These contain centralised helpdesks as well as comfortable areas to relax and socialise.
Helpdesks
The helpdesks provide a 'one-stop shop' for every possible need, from course-related enquiries to personal issues such as health and money matters. They're designed to be your first port of call if you have an enquiry or problem.
It's a fantastic university. You have so many opportunities and your lecturers really help you to get into the career you want to.
Rachel Neiman
BA (Hons) International Development with NGO Management
What we're researching
We're involved in wide range of research through numerous research centres and groups – united by a desire to improve social justice and individual wellbeing. We have embedded our learning and research practice in the rapid changes and complex relations of this urban laboratory.
Our staff
Find out more about our staff by visiting our School of Education and Communities.
Careers
Graduates with social science Master's degrees are in high demand. Recent data shows that social science graduates are more likely to be in paid employment than arts or science graduates, and more likely to secure managerial roles.
Increased focus on people, relationships and communication skills means that our Sociology and Sociology with Criminology students have gone into fields as diverse as teaching, human resources, the police and journalism.
With a degree in Politics, International Development, Sociology and Sociology with Criminology or NGO Management, you will have excellent opportunities to work in exciting and engaging organisations around the world and in your local community. We equip you with the skills and qualities that are attractive to NGOs, government bodies, local councils, charities, and government advisory companies, as well as many more employers. A dedicated career path after university could lead to working at international organisations such as the European Union, the OECD, the World Bank, the United Nations, and many more.
Our students have gone on to work in roles that give ultimate job satisfaction – working for positive change in the world – setting up their own NGOs to work in Peru, India, Tanzania, the Congo; working on the logistics of delivering humanitarian aid; doing policy work for the UK's aid programme or World Health Organisation, and fundraising for charitable foundations.
At UEL, you'll have access to:
- Employability skills training such as interview techniques and CV writing.
- Career Assessment, giving you the opportunity to learn about yourself and Career Coach will help you to discover career suggestions based on your interests.
- UEL Skills Academy, where external professionals deliver sessions on the competencies most prized by graduate employers.
- Internships, placements and volunteering opportunities from our work placements team.
- Professional mentoring scheme, matching students with staff from major companies.
- Networking opportunities and annual careers fair.
- Support with setting up your own business.
Our location
Our location in one of Europe's largest regeneration areas and our extensive links to local employers will also give you access to fantastic internships and placements. From heavy industry to high-tech, health and social care to the arts, there are so many opportunities right on our doorstep.
Career Coach
Our online Career Coach shows you the different career paths that your chosen subject area can lead you to. It gives you information on specific careers, job roles, potential wages and available jobs in the sector. You can also take a quick quiz to find a career to match your personality type!
