Undergraduate Course
BA (Hons) Global Studies
Overview
The details
Global Studies
L903
October 2026
Full-time
What is the BA Global Studies?
The BA Global Studies is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional placement or study abroad year.
You’ll explore the major challenges shaping our interconnected world, from climate change and migration to global inequality, conflict and international cooperation. Drawing on subjects including history, politics, sociology, philosophy, languages and cultural studies, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand complex global issues from multiple perspectives.
Why this course
The BA Global Studies is designed for students who want to understand how the world works and how societies, cultures and political systems influence one another. Rather than studying global challenges through a single subject, you’ll bring together different perspectives to explore issues that cross traditional academic boundaries.
You’ll examine topics including international relations, global history, migration, sustainability, development, culture and technology, developing the ability to analyse the connections between local experiences and global events.
Learn from internationally recognised academics whose research explores regions and issues across the world, including Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Their expertise brings contemporary global debates directly into your learning.
The flexible structure of the degree allows you to tailor your studies to your interests, choosing from subjects including history, politics, philosophy, sociology, art, architecture, modern languages and international topics. This gives you the opportunity to build a degree that reflects your ambitions and future career goals.
Add a placement year or study abroad to gain professional experience, broaden your cultural understanding and demonstrate your adaptability in an increasingly global workplace.
By the end of your degree, you’ll have developed strong research, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, alongside a deep understanding of the global issues shaping our future.
Who should apply
- Students interested in understanding global challenges and how societies are connected
- Curious thinkers who enjoy exploring issues from different academic and cultural perspectives
- Learners interested in international relations, politics, history, culture and social change
- Anyone looking for a flexible degree that develops skills valued across global careers
What you'll learn
- Global challenges: Explore issues such as climate change, migration, inequality and sustainable development
- International relations and global history: Understand how political systems, historical events and international relationships shape the modern world
- Interdisciplinary thinking: Combine ideas and methods from different subjects to analyse complex problems
- Culture and identity: Examine how societies, traditions and communities shape experiences around the world
- Research and problem-solving: Develop the ability to investigate evidence, communicate ideas and approach challenges creatively
Your learning experience
- Flexible study: Choose modules across subjects including history, politics, philosophy, sociology, literature, art, architecture, languages and international topics
- Interdisciplinary learning: Explore global issues that require ideas and approaches from multiple academic disciplines
- International expertise: Learn from academics researching global issues across different regions of the world
- Optional study abroad year: Spend a year at one of our partner universities and experience another culture with the Study Abroad programme
- Optional placement year: Gain professional experience in an organisation with university support from Placements at Essex
- Specialist facilities: Access resources including the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), internationally significant library collections and research centres focused on global issues
Careers and outcomes
A BA Global Studies degree can prepare you for careers in sectors and roles such as:
- International organisations: Roles within organisations such as the United Nations, international development agencies and NGOs
- Government and public policy: Civil Service, policy research, diplomacy and public administration
- Charities and advocacy: Human rights, sustainability, community development and campaigning organisations
- Media and communications: Journalism, international communications, public relations and content roles
- Business and consultancy: Global organisations, international business, research and strategic roles
- Further study: Postgraduate study in international relations, politics, development, history, sociology and related disciplines
Employers of graduates from this course
Graduates from this course develop adaptable skills suited to careers across international, public and private sector organisations, including:
- International organisations and NGOs
- Government departments and public bodies
- Charities and development organisations
- Media and communications organisations
- Global businesses and consultancies
Why we're great.
- We offer the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities.
- You are taught by a team of international experts in a range of subjects, at Essex and abroad.
- Our staff research topics stretch across the globe.
Course content
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Introduction to International Relations
(15 CREDITS)
This module offers a formative background in the study of international politics. We seek to provide the essential tools and theoretical concepts used to analyse international politics so that a better understanding of specific historical events or contemporary issues is given.
View Introduction to International Relations on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Interdisciplinary Research and Problem-Solving: An Introduction
(15 CREDITS)
The world does not have disciplines; it has problems. What's more, the most important problems we face - problems like climate change, migration, sustainable economic production, democratic governance, and so on - cannot be solved with the tools of any single discipline. Such problems require collaborative, creative, and interdisciplinary approaches, and this module introduces students to this type of interdisciplinary thinking. Students will learn how to approach complex problems by drawing on theories and methods from multiple disciplines, learning how to think flexibly and work with others to find creative solutions to real-world problems.
View Interdisciplinary Research and Problem-Solving: An Introduction on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Ways of Knowing
(15 CREDITS)
This interdisciplinary module explores the rich diversity of ways of knowing the world. We examine different frameworks of knowing that have characterised and shaped human societies historically and today.
COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY
Democracy in Europe and the United States, 1789-1989
(15 CREDITS)
Democracy cannot be taken for granted. There was a long road to modern democracy and universal suffrage. Evolution of existing systems, revolutions, and wars created what is generally called Western Democracy. This module will explore the development of democracy in Europe and the United States over the last 200 years. It will examine how democratic states were established, challenged and reborn from the late eighteenth century to the late twentieth century. Europe experienced dictatorships, two World Wars and the fall of the Iron curtain in this time period, but it also saw the expansion of citizenship and civil liberties, the establishment of parliamentary democracies on a global scale and the emergence of the welfare states with greater social provisions for its populations. In the year that followed its creation, the United States rapidly expanded its franchise, but it also continued to exclude many people from the democratic process well into the twentieth century. The module will also investigate the crisis of the welfare state, the rise of Neo-Liberalism, and the rise of populism--all challenges to democratic systems in the past and today.
View Democracy in Europe and the United States, 1789-1989 on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY
Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step
(0 CREDITS)
This course introduces key academic, professional and personal skills to support a successful transition beyond undergraduate study. Students develop confidence in critical thinking, communication, teamwork and self reflection while exploring future study and career options.
View Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
The World in Question: The Social, Cultural, Political & Environmental Legacies of the Enlightenment
(15 CREDITS)
How have contemporary societies been shaped by the legacies of the Enlightenment, colonialism, and the different phases of capitalism? This interdisciplinary module helps you to critically understand some of the key forces and processes that have shaped the challenges we face in the 20th and 21st century. It is divided into three broad themes; Empire, The Self, and Nature. We’ll be examining processes of ‘othering’ that were intrinsic to colonialism; changing conceptions of the self; as well as both the causes of and potential solutions to the ecological crisis we are confronting today. The module is co-taught by academics from Art History, ISC, LiFTs, Philosophy, Psychoanalytic Studies and Sociology. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
International Relations: Theories and Approaches
(15 CREDITS)
How should we approach relationships between different countries? Explore different theoretical lenses through which the world can be viewed, including bargaining theory, liberal institutional approaches, and emotion-based, psychological models of the behavior of international political actions.
View International Relations: Theories and Approaches on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Social Entrepreneurs, Sustainability and Community Action
(15 CREDITS)
Did you know that the not-for-profit sector is expanding fast in the UK, and offers meaningful jobs that can contribute to positive social change and ecological sustainability? This module introduces you to this sector and the concept and practice of social entrepreneurship using case studies of initiatives that have helped local communities, the disadvantaged and the environment. It also allows you to develop your skills and use your creativity and imagination to design your own project or enterprise. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of environmental development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
View Social Entrepreneurs, Sustainability and Community Action on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Global Challenges in Interdisciplinary Perspective: Water Conflicts, Water Cultures
(15 CREDITS)
Access to water is one of the most urgent global challenges facing us today. Vital for health and well-being, as well as integral to indigenous cultures and industrial processes, water is a threatened commons and contested commodity. In this module, we will explore global and local case studies that highlight challenges of scarcity, contamination, privatization, and climate change, and the cultural importance of bodies of water for diverse communities. We will examine water-related problems, such as economic and urban development, grassroots activism, political conflict, community relations, heritage and public health. This module has been designed to enable students to integrate their subject knowledge with an understanding of sustainable development, acquiring the skills and competencies essential for addressing the urgent sustainability challenges of the 21st century.
Entry requirements
Clearing entry requirements
We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of our courses with most offers expected to be made at CCD - CDD (88 - 80 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. A complete breakdown of expected Clearing entry requirements, by course, is available on our Clearing entry requirements page.
We consider each application individually and requirements may be lower for some of our courses, so please still get in touch if your grades are below those outlined.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
International fee
£21,500 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
Placement year
20% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Study abroad
Full year abroad
15% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Single term abroad
Standard tuition fee
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
How to apply during Clearing
Once you’ve checked that we have the right course for you, applying couldn’t be simpler. Fill in our quick and easy Clearing application form with as much detail as you can. We’ll then take a look and get back to you with a decision.
If you already hold an offer from Essex
Please don't reapply through Clearing. We'll review your existing application using our Clearing entry requirements. If you're worried about meeting your offer or would like to change course, please contact our Admissions Team on ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Interviews
We don’t require an interview for most of our courses that are available through Clearing, however there are some courses such as those in our School of Health and Social Care and East 15 Acting School where an interview (or audition) may be required. If this is something that’s required for the course you have applied for, we’ll email you with all of the details.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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