General entry requirements

A level:

• AAB
• You will also need grade B/grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE
• We make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances at ABB, plus grade B/grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE

IB:

• 36 points to include English and Mathematics

BTEC:

• We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside one or two A levels
• You will also need grade B/grade 6 in English and Mathematics at GCSE

Additional requirements

Second personal statement: If you meet (or are predicted to meet) the minimum entry requirements, we will invite you to submit a second personal statement to Warwick, addressing your reasons for applying to the course. We will contact applicants directly to request the second personal statement and provide guidance at that time.

English Language: You will also need to meet our English Language requirements. This course falls under Band C.

International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).

Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.

Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.

Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference. We will also consider your second personal statement when making offers.

Year One

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development

Why and how do economists address issues of global sustainable development? In this module, you’ll learn about the relationship between economic activity, social justice and environmental sustainability, the economic theories that underpin sustainable development policy interventions and how those theories impact upon policy design. After studying this module, you’ll be able to apply fundamental economic principles to the analysis of global sustainable development problems. You’ll also understand how economic policies intended to address those problems are developed and be able to offer informed critiques of such policies.

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development

This introductory module examines in depth the concepts that allow you to analyse and interpret the social and political issues related to global sustainable development. You’ll learn to understand and evaluate the most pressing social and political dimensions of sustainability at national and international levels.

Upon completing this module, you’ll have acquired the knowledge and understanding to be able to offer a well-informed evidence-based explanation of the social and political dimensions of key challenges such as: inequality, environmental harm, health, and food. You’ll also be able to explain the threats to social cohesion caused by forms of economic development, reflect critically on the reasons why some countries are considered developed while others have stayed poor, and understand and write critically about the continuing challenges of attempting to provide “Education for all” and “Health for all”.

Environmental Principles of GSD

This module is structured around an emerging global consensus that humans are compromising the global biosphere by transgressing nine Planetary Boundaries: the result of which will be fundamental and unrecoverable change that significantly compromises the safe operating space for human development. We focus on the natural science of these environmental issues – covering well known topics like climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as less prominent problems, such as biochemical flows. We evaluate existing governance and management efforts, and develop innovative responses of our own. You’ll be taught how to write a policy briefing and will prepare one on your chosen subject aimed at a specific decision-making audience. Then, you’ll convert your brief to a policy pitch: a two minute ‘sell’ of your proposals. By the end of this module, you’ll possess key knowledge of environmental principles and also skills valuable for creating meaningful change in the world of work, governance and/or activism.

GSD Project

This is an innovative and practical module designed to give you crucial research and analysis skills linked to the important issue of sustainable transport. The module is taught by a number of experts in the field and working on your own and as part of a team, you’ll be required to carry out research that will advance your understanding of the application of theories you’ll have studied in your other first-year modules.

Theories of Learning

This module introduces you to various theories of how human beings learn. The module covers leading child development theorists' perspectives on learning in the early years (such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky) as well as examining the work of theorists who explore learning from the perspective of older children, young people and adults. By the end of the module you'll have acquired the tools for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting learning theories. This module also aims to give you an insight into the relationship between social values, culture and theories of learning.

Social Contexts of Childhood and Education

This module investigates the relationships between childhood, education and society. Throughout the module, we explore a number of arenas through which children are nurtured, protected and socialised, including family, peer group and the virtual world of mass media and digital technology. These contexts are viewed as important educational sites in their own right, as well as providing crucial supportive networks for schools and children's schooling. The module focuses on the way that these social contexts have changed as well as concentrate on the expanding roles that children themselves play in their own socialisation, schooling and identity formation. We also critically analyse the impact of class, poverty, gender and ethnicity on education and childhood.

International Education

This module will explore models, concepts and themes relating to education at a global level. There are two overarching trends which structure the sessions. First, processes of globalisation provide a theoretical frame within which students will examine themes and trends that cut across geographical and national boundaries. Among other things, globalisation and children’s rights to education, the Millennium Development Goals, the investment in early years education, and the marketisation of schooling and higher education are discussed. Second, the module will focus on the way that education is promoted within different international contexts, thereby exploring how factors such as ideology, culture and economics impact on education. There will be more of a case study approach here with students focusing on country specific education systems, such as Scandinavia, America or Italy. In each case the focus may be on the schooling system, the provision of early years education or the shifting role of higher education.

Education Today

This module interrogates contemporary trends within education and the social values they reflect. The module will approach the topic of education through many contrasting perspectives. You'll critically appraise the social, cultural and political factors that affect students, teaching professionals, parents and other key stakeholders, as they negotiate and participate in the contemporary education 'offer' provided at a local, national and international level. Key practical approaches and philosophical perspectives will be introduced and debated, as you consider how factors such as inclusion, equality, diversity, community, religion, attainment, quality, excellence, economic growth and political instability interact within contemporary education systems.

Year Two

Health and Sustainable Development

Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, and acquaint you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of GSD. The second part of the module will focus on issues that relate to policies and behavioural change, and are also applicable beyond health, for example in areas like education or technology transfer. Alongside the module content, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your analytical skills to make independent, critical, and constructive contributions to Health and Sustainable Development.

OR

Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015, commit the international community to a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity. Of these, Goal 2 specifically aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems by 2030.

The pressing need for such initiatives is stark: we inhabit a world where at least 800 million people are chronically undernourished. The world population is projected to increase to a staggering 10 billion people by 2050, yet who will be responsible for ensuring all these mouths are fed? And can we ever produce and consume food for so many people without causing an unsustainable impact on our environment?

Food security, sustainability and sovereignty are thus crucial issues confronting the world today, and it is these issues which this module seeks to introduce and evaluate. The module is taught in collaboration with active researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick, especially those involved in the University’s Global Research Priority on Food.

OR

Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘does inequality matter?’, you'll critically reflect on the UN's decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You’ll then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, opportunities and empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you’ll appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.

A choice of two modules from the following:

Globalisation and Education

This module will explore models, concepts and themes relating to the globalisation of education. In particular, there are two general trends outlined and critically examined with reference to globalisation.

The first overarching theme is the idea of globalisation as a process of global standardisation. The module will pick up on a number of debates and issues relating to how attempts have been made to homogenise education globally, or at least move towards more universal provision at a number of different levels. This will involve analyses of the political and economic dimensions of globalisation as it affects education including the involvement of supra-national organisations, NGOs, and nation states.

The second dominant theme is the emphasis on global diversity. Attempts at globalising education come up against political and cultural obstacles. The second half of the module will focus more on trends and cases of education and schooling that highlight the diversity of provision, and practices within education. The sessions will refer to global and national policy contexts where relevant, as well as pick up on novel attempts to provide education and schooling in contexts of political and economic adversity.

Policies and Politics of the English Education System

This module will introduce you to the core areas of policy contention, innovation and development in the English educational system. Starting with the historical context, you’ll discover how the major reviews of education in the 20th and 21st centuries have shaped educational policy and practice. You’ll also explore:

• formal educational assessment

• how policy affects educational inequality

• how social and cultural changes within English society have affected the education system and curriculum

• different approaches to teacher training

• trends in the marketisation of education in England

Professional Identity and Skills: Work-Based Placement

This module gives you the opportunity to hone your professional skills and career aspirations through an education-based, work-based placement. In taught sessions you’ll explore the professional characteristics of organisations who work with children, young people and their families in an educational capacity. This will include investigating the staffing and leadership structures of example organisations, their policies, their modes of work, professional roles and conduct. In addition, the role of reflective practice in professional development will be examined from both theoretical and practical angles. You’ll be given support with organising your placement, which can be in a location of your choice (however, approval must be gained from the module leader who must see a clear connection between the work of your chosen organisation and the concept of ‘education’) or may be based with one of the Centre for Education Studies' (CES) key partners. CES placement partners consist of organisations that deliver both formal and informal education in a variety of contexts (i.e. schools, hospitals, charities, children’s centres, sports organisations, youth theatres, community organisations).

Final Year

GSD Dissertation/Long Project

In this final-year module you’ll bring together all of your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – in order to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you’d like to tackle.

You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign etc. – use your creativity!

You’ll design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal or at a public meeting that you’ve arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to get your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.

Examples of optional modules/options for current students

GSD Department

• Managing Natural Resources
• The Energy Trilemma
• Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean

• Realising Sustainable Development
• Multilingualism and Sustainable Development
• Surviving the Apocalypse

Please see here for a full list of optional modules offered by the GSD Department.

Department of Education Studies

• Education for Sustainability
• Education and Social Justice
• Social Theory and Education

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding.

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.

Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

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 2021

Your career

The nature of our GSD degrees is such that graduates can go into careers that encompass aspects of sustainability and sustainable development. They can also draw on their interdisciplinary and transferable skills, along with the specialist knowledge gained from the Education Studies elements of the programme and apply these to a variety of roles, for example:

• Project management
• Campaign and lobbying for international organisations, NGOs, and charities
• Advisory/consultancy service
• Teaching within schools, further education or Higher Education sector
• Communications, public relations and the media
• Researcher
• Policy Management
• Community Development

Helping you find the right career

We have a dedicated Employability and Placement Manager who can offer you careers guidance. They can provide information about suitable placement opportunities and support you to secure appropriate work experience. They give specialist pre-placement advice, guidance and preparation, and provide on-going support for you whilst on placement. They also deliver the associated Certificate of Professional Communication.

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.