BASc Economic Studies and Global Sustainable Development
Bachelor of Arts & Science (BASc)
Three years full-time programme
Joint honours degree
Study abroad & work placement opportunities
Economics is at the core of Global Sustainable Development (GSD). You’ll critically analyse economic models and theories of sustainable development through quantitative and qualitative approaches. Economics modules will provide you with an essential background in micro and macro economics, as well as methodologies for statistical analysis. Meanwhile, your studies in GSD will empower you to consider the human and environmental implications of development. You’ll be posing challenging questions about climate change, biodiversity, gender equality, and other core components of sustainability. Put together, Economics and GSD encourages you to take a new perspective on our changing global economy.
Duration*
- 3 years full-time; or
- 3 years full-time with integrated study abroad programme; or
- 4 years full-time with intercalated year spent either studying abroad or on work placement.
Entry requirements
Please see our Entry Requirements page.
UCAS code
CATS
An Honours Degree requires a minimum of 360 CATS during the course, comprising 120 CATS per year. For this course of study, credits are normally split equally between Global Sustainable Development modules and modules offered by the Department of Economics.
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc).
Location of study
University of Warwick
Tuition fees
Find out more about fees and funding
Scholarship and Bursaries
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship
We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course. Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship.
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
Additional course costs
There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.
* You will be automatically enrolled on the three-year course, however, you have the option to change to a four-year course with an intercalated year in your third year. During the intercalated year, you may pursue a study abroad programme or a work placement (subject to you meeting departmental academic requirements).
Economics modules in your first and second years will develop your understanding of the fundamental concepts in micro- and macro- economic analysis. They will also introduce you to analytical skills and statistical techniques, including the use of statistical computer packages, and consider how these can be applied to real-world economic problems.
In your final year, core Economics modules will explore key economic and policy issues facing developing countries, including poverty, malnutrition, international trade, gender inequality, healthcare and education. You can also choose modules from within the Economics Department that focus on issues that will inform your research for the final-year GSD dissertation.
"Both Economics and GSD are concerned with wellbeing and allocation of finite resources."
“On the one hand, economic policy is at the core of sustainable development solutions. On the other hand, economic development has long been pursued without considerations of social justice and environmental sustainability. Undoubtedly, the combination of Economics and GSD allows you to critically consider this complicated relationship, while providing you with a set of highly complementary skills, ranging from advanced quantitative and statistical techniques to critical thinking and analytical skills.”
Associate Professor, GSD
First Year
Route 1: Stats
Core GSD modules
- Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD104)
- Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD105)
- Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD106)
- Global Sustainable Development Project (GD107)
Core Economics module
Optional core Economics module
or
Optional Economics module
You will choose one optional module from a range of modules offered by the Economics Department. Some examples include:
- Mathematical Analysis (EC119)
- The Industrial Economy: Strategy (EC132)
- Linear Algebra (EC133)
- Topics in Applied Economics 1a (EC134)
- Topics in Applied Economics 1b (EC135)
- Introduction to Environmental Economics (EC138)
Certificates
- New: Carbon Literacy Certificate
- Certificate of Digital Literacy
- Certificate of Sustainability Consultancy (Auditing)
- Certificate of Professional Communication with Work Placement
Route 2: Quantitative Analysis
Core GSD modules
- Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD104)
- Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD105)
- Sociological Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD106)
- Global Sustainable Development Project (GD107)
Core Economics modules
and either:
or
and either:
or
Certificates
Second Year
(remaining at Warwick)
Core Economics module
Optional core Economics module
or
Optional core GSD module
You will choose one module from the following list:
Optional module(s) with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module(s) with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Certificates
Second Year
(integrated year abroad with Terms 2 and 3 at Monash University)
Term 1
Core Economics modules
Optional core GSD module
You will choose one module from the following list:
Optional module with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Terms 2 and 3
Students spend Terms 2 and 3 abroad at Monash University, studying relevant modules. Students are required to register on the module Study Abroad Part-Year (GD200) which recognises the period of study abroad.
Final Year
Core GSD module
Core Economics modules
Optional module(s) with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module(s) with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Optional Economics modules
Certificate
Explore the lists of GSD and Economics modules
Your university experience could be a truly global one by studying overseas. You can access study abroad opportunities via two routes:
1. Study abroad in terms 2 and 3 of your second year
Read the transcript for this video.
You could spend terms 2 and 3 of your second year studying abroad at our Department's partner institution, Monash University, home to the world-leading Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Our integrated programme is specifically structured so you can spend time abroad without having to extend the overall length of your course. Your academic achievements abroad will count towards your degree awarded by Warwick, meaning your studies will be both rewarding and rewarded! You will continue to pay your course fees in full to Warwick and you will also continue to receive your student loan, if eligible.
2. Year-long study abroad
You may, alternatively, choose to spend an intercalated year at one of Warwick's many other partner institutions across the world. You'll spend your first and second years at Warwick, studying abroad in your third year. You'll then return to Warwick for your final year. Your year abroad won't count towards your final mark, but it will be recorded on your Higher Education Achievement Report, giving you the freedom to take chances with your module choice and push yourself outside of your comfort zone with your learning. Please see here for more information about the intercalated study abroad opportunity.
Find out more about your options for studying abroad.
Read the transcript for this video.
In the GSD Department, we have a dedicated Employability and Placement Manager who’ll provide you with one-to-one careers guidance. They work in collaboration with employers, so you’ll be supported in securing appropriate work placements. You’ll have access to specialist pre-placement advice, guidance and preparation, as well as on-going support during your placement.
Find out more on our Careers pages.
Single honours
Joint honours
- Education Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies
- Hispanic Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- History and Global Sustainable Development
- Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development
- Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development
- Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Psychology and Global Sustainable Development
- Sociology and Global Sustainable Development
- Theatre and Performance Studies and Global Sustainable Development
93.3%
Our single honours Global Sustainable Development course scored 93.3% for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022
87.2%
Our Global Sustainable Development courses (single honours and joint courses collectively) scored 87.2% in the National Student Survey 2022
Our joint honours Global Sustainable Development courses are fully accredited with the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment. This means that upon graduation from the courses, our students receive a professionally recognised level of knowledge, skills and tools for working in sustainability practice.