Global Challenges BASc

How does the challenge of mitigating climate change balance with pursuits of promoting economic growth? Why do inequalities in health, education or opportunity persist within and between countries of the Global North or Global South? Does foreign aid reduce poverty and promote human development? In what ways is migration reshaping cultures, economics or geopolitics in an increasingly integrated world? How do we promote more sustainable futures?

Wonder about these big questions? Our BASc Global Challenges equips you to tackle them.

Drawing upon research-led teaching from across the social and natural sciences and on Brunel’s longstanding expertise in professional education, this exciting new programme prepares you with critical perspectives and practical skills needed to respond to urgent global challenges in politics, society, culture, environment and development. We build on Brunel’s renowned applied research and professional development education to support each student with personalised learning opportunities; with real-world experience; with group projects in applied learning; or with placements.

The programme is designed to produce graduates who are proactive individuals equally capable of undertaking self-directed work or contributing to a shared objective as a team player: graduates who can effectively apply their knowledge to a wide range of workplaces in industry and society. 

We will teach a broad scope of topics, from a range of perspectives. Students will gain a strong foundation in knowledge and theory applied to key global development issues and practices from the lens of multiple disciplines. You will build on this core grounding to select optional modules that extend your understanding while aligning with your disciplinary or subject interests. The course is highly flexible in allowing you to tailor your learning journey. For instance, students may select modules that expand understanding of particular geographical regions or they may choose modules that advance specific disciplinary or subject perspectives. The course includes training in research methods and students are supported to undertake a piece of independent research for their Year 3 dissertation.  

In Year 1 and Year 2, students receive compulsory training that draws on perspectives from both the natural and social sciences. This teaching sets the core foundation and subject knowledge on topics, for instance, of environmental change; human development; migration; the biosphere and ecology; social inequalities; responses to global challenges in practice; and on research methods. Students build on this core training through optional modules they select, on subjects, for instance, of climate change; colonialism; migration; racism; insurgency; media; war and humanitarianism.

In Year 3, students complete an independent piece of research through the compulsory Dissertation in Global Challenges. They further complete a compulsory individual or group Enterprise Project, which builds their work experience and leadership skills.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

A global challenges degree with its emphasis on professional development will open opportunities in a wide range of career destinations. The programme produces graduates who are proactive individuals capable of undertaking self-directed work or contributing as team players.

Our graduates can effectively apply their knowledge to a wide range of workplaces in industry and society. The emphasis of the programme on the application of skills and knowledge drawn from a range of disciplinary perspectives make our graduates particularly valuable in the global context of rapid change.

The knowledge and skills that you gain on Brunel’s Global Challenges programme with its bespoke professional development components set in real-world contexts is relevant to employers across different fields. These include, among others:

• UK-based and international non-government organisations
• Academic and research institutions
• Local and national government
• Bilateral and multilateral organisations
• A range of businesses

• GCE A-level ABB-BBC.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DMM in a related 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.
• T levels : Merit overall in Digital Productions, Design and Development, Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Engineering, Manufacturing, processing and Control. 

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.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)  

Course assessments are synoptic in nature as they will draw on the knowledge you acquire across the various disciplines covered. Assessment methods may include presentations, written and audio-visual reports in the form of vlogs and blogs, essays, examinations, laboratory worksheets, coursework, and peer assessment.