Global Challenges BA Honours - Courses | University of Westminster, London

Course Overview

UK Fees £9,250 *

International Fees £17,000 *

Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our Global Challenges BA will help you to address some of the most pressing political, scientific and ethical challenges facing humanity globally today. You’ll explore some of the key dimensions of science, politics and society, working towards creating and leading positive change.

This course has a particular focus on responding to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and with this in mind, highlights the importance of promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies, reducing poverty and hunger, ensuring health and wellbeing, achieving gender and racial equality, delivering a net zero future, bringing dignity to work, and enabling sustainable futures through decisive action on climate change.

You'll explore the challenges facing society on local, national and global levels and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to address these issues head-on. By combining a range of core and optional modules from across politics, international relations, sociology, criminology, law, health and nutrition, psychology and sustainability, you’ll gain a unique perspective and be well-equipped to enact positive change. In the final year of the course, your broad range of knowledge will allow you to develop an innovative final project on an area you are passionate about and create workable solutions to global challenges.

Throughout this course, you’ll be taught by a team of academics who are experts in their fields, develop relationships and gain valuable insights from industry experts. You’ll benefit from the opportunity to work with a partner organisation to address global challenges, undertake stakeholder engagement, consider the impact of public engagement and become actively responsible for change.

There is a continuous culture of professional development, entrepreneurship and social responsibility at the heart of this course. Upon graduation, you’ll be well-equipped to work in a range of industries or careers where you can apply your cutting-edge awareness of global issues.

Top reasons to study with us

Confront the ‘big questions’ of our time and create solutions to make a positive difference in the world
Gain valuable experience by working with community and other organisations, completing a work-based placement and conducting research and fieldwork
Study a range of modules from within social sciences, humanities and sciences to develop a broad insight into how we can respond to global issues
Engage with real-world tasks through our authentic assessments linked to policy tasks, research and developing ‘job-ready skills’
Produce an innovative final project in an area you are passionate about
Enhance your CV with an optional year-long work or study abroad placement

Course structure

The following subjects are indicative of what you’ll study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

Environment, Health and Sustainable Development
Global Order and Ethics in a Changing World
Introduction to Activism
Science: History Practice and Philosophy
Understanding Race
Dilemmas of International Development
Justice and Human Rights
Psychology and Sociology of Health and Well-being
Social Psychology

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

Global Challenges Accelerator Lab
Global Public Health Priorities
Power, Privilege and Public Health Challenges
The Global and Ethical Challenge of (In)Security
Working With Data
Democracy and Development in Asia and Africa
Introduction to Human Rights Law
Law and Social Justice
LGBTQ Studies
Self and Society
The City, Community, and Belonging

Credit Level 5

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Global Challenges with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Global Challenges with International Experience.

Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.

Subjects of study include:

Designing a Sustainable World
Innovation and Change Project
The Global Politics of Climate Change: Security, Sustainability and Low-Carbon Transition
Ethics Morality and World Order(s)
Global Ethics
Immigration, Borders and (In)Justice
Political Psychology
Professionalising International Communication
Social Change
The Cultural Politics of Race

Credit Level 6

Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

Get in touch

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)

[email protected]

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Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Next open day

Saturday 15 June On campus

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Careers

Graduates from Global Challenges BA will be adaptable and able to respond to key issues faced within scientific, social and global contexts. You’ll develop the skills and experience crucial to your future career through work-based learning, with students conducting 35 hours of work-based placement learning as part of this course. Additional opportunities to enhance your CV include an optional year-long work or study abroad placement.

Boost your employability

Gain international or workplace experience by studying abroad or undertaking a work placement between your second and third year.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Work-based learning

You'll undertake a 35-hour work-based learning placement and engage with employers and organisations throughout this course.

Industry links

Engagement with external stakeholders and employers is embedded into your learning in each year of the course. In year one, the Introduction to Activism module involves working with a partner organisation to address a number of major global challenges. Year two’s Global Challenges Accelerator Lab encourages you to undertake stakeholder engagement and consider the impact of public engagement. In year three of the course, the Innovation and Change Project involves students undertaking research into an organisation, with the opportunity for fieldwork.

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course will be well-equipped for employment at organisations including:

Charities
NGOs
Local and National Government
Oxfam
Save the Children
United Nations
World Bank Group
Chatham House
Overseas Development Institute
Greenpeace UK
Public Health England
Amnesty International UK
Social Enterprise UK
WWF-UK
UK Parliament
Universities

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:

Policy analyst or advisor
International development specialist
Human rights advocacy
International business specialist
Conflict resolution specialist
Sustainable development analyst or consultant
Corporate social responsibility coordinator
Environmental consultant
Researcher in international relations
Advocacy and campaigning manager
Crisis response coordinator
Global education coordinator

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
Attending an international summer school or field trip
Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

More about me

Dr Deborah Husbands

Reader

Deborah is a Chartered Psychologist and Reader in Psychology. She’s also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Her research focuses on the experiences of minoritised people, using qualitative research methods to understand constructions of identity in higher education, ethnicity, race and the meaning we attach to experiences.

Deborah is the Outreach Coordinator for the School of Social Sciences, a founding member and Co-Chair of the University's BME Network and the Lead for the Black History Year Steering Group. She is a member of The Psychologist and Digest Editorial Advisory Committee. She works collaboratively with students and several universities on diverse projects to advance equity in higher education.

More about me

As course leader, I’ll work with a team of academics to bring our expertise to areas that matter in order to create global change, while you bring your lived experiences and personal insights.

Course Team

You’ll be taught by a team of academics who are experts in a variety of fields, including psychology, politics and international relations, criminology, sociology and law.

Why study this course?

Make a positive impact

Become an architect for change, making a positive impact and addressing pressing global issues.

Interdisciplinary study

Gain unique insight by studying a broad range of modules from different fields and perspectives.

Join a compassionate community

At Westminster, our mission is to help you contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programmes will be considered on a case-by-case basis
BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
BTEC Diploma – D*D
Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of the qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.

International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

More information

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK
International

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
Written exams: end of semester exams
Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Teaching for this course will take place at both our Regent Street site and Cavendish Campus in central London.

Located on one of London’s most vibrant streets, our 309 Regent Street location houses subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture. Along with a city-centre location, the site boasts high-tech learning facilities, collaborative social spaces, gym facilities, and our Regent Street Cinema.

Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring. Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our locations page.